Design Advocacy Group

Join DAG on May 14th as Councilmember Gauthier moderates a discussion with Westpark's redevelopment team.Westpark Towers is a vacant, 12-acre public housing campus that is currently being redeveloped into a 1,000 unit, mixed-income community. This large project on a critical transit-adjacent site in West Powelton will create 330 public housing replacement units, 250 units of additional Affordable Housing, 420 workforce units, community-oriented retail, social services, and four acres of new public open space.The redevelopment of Westpark Towers, located in District 3, is the result of a public-private partnership between the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) and LMXD Development. With the support of

Please join us on May 28th, 2025 for a one-on-one discussion with Angela Brooks, Philly's new Chief Housing & Urban Development Officer.Join DAG for a special event as we host Angela Brooks, Philadelphia's new Chief Housing & Urban Development Officer and Immediate Past President of the American Planning Association (APA), for a one-on-one conversation that will touch on issues related to affordable and accessible housing and community development. In this newly-established role in Philadelphia's administration, Brooks will oversee the implementation of Mayor Parker's Housing Plan, which aims to achieve the goal of creating and preserving 30,000 units of housing. Leah Eppinger,

A brief overview of the trail and greenway known as Schuylkill Banks.A brief overview of the trail and greenway along the tidal Schuylkill River between the Fairmount Dam and Delaware River, an area branded as Schuylkill Banks. How did this long envisioned project evolve and where is it headed?This event will be held at the Center for DesignPhiladelphia, 1218 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA 19107.Registration is not required for in-person events, however it is helpful for our planning. Light refreshments will be served.For more information, please CLICK HERE!

Join us to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the Rail Park in their equitable development plan.What does it look like to invest in public space and the surrounding neighborhood? As the Friends of the Rail Park(FRP) embark on the beginning stages of their Community First Plan, they are looking to other parks and partners that challenge the status quo of what benefits parks provide to their communities. While the environmental, social, and health-related benefits of parks are often communicated to residents, many cities are starting to think innovatively around how to leverage the public and private investment generated by

Join DAG and members of the ATAC and Kelly Maiello as we explore the story of the impetus in the creation of the President's House.Join DAG with Michael Coard, founding member of ATAC, Avenging The Ancestors Coalition and Troy Leonard of Kelly Maiello Architects as we explore the creation and future of the President’s House/Slavery Memorial Site. The memorial is a testament to uncompromising, unadulterated, and strategic cultural grassroots activism, but recently, the site was flagged by the Trump administration as a threat to the promotion of America's “greatness” or “progress.”. Michael Coard and Troy Leonard will explore the impetus

Join the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia and PlaceEconomics for a presentation and discussion of their recent report.Join the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia and PlaceEconomics for a presentation and discussion of Growing Through Preservation: The Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in Philadelphia, a new report that quantifies how preservation contributes to the city’s economy, housing, and community vitality.The study reveals that rehabilitation of historic buildings has generated more than $4 billion in investment, created 2,500 jobs annually, and supported diverse, affordable neighborhoods across Philadelphia. The presentation will feature key findings from the report and explore their implications for urban

As Philadelphia gears up for 2026, Raheem Manning explores planning, design, and nightlife policy shaping a safe, inclusive 24-hour city.As Philadelphia prepares for an unprecedented moment in 2026—welcoming the FIFA World Cup, America’s 250th anniversary, and other global events—the city is actively rethinking what it means to function as a true 24-hour city. This presentation will explore how nightlife, culture, design, and public policy intersect to shape a safe, vibrant, and economically inclusive nighttime environment.Drawing from Philadelphia’s Nighttime Economy strategy, the talk will highlight how intentional planning, cross-sector collaboration, and thoughtful design can support businesses, residents, and visitors after dark.

Join DAG for a talk on Cecil B. Moore Library—its Mid-Century Modern design and legacy as a hub for community activism and learning.Join DAG and Cierra Freeman, Co-leader of Culture and Strategy for the Brewerytown Sharswood Neighborhood Coalition (BSNC); Kate Goodman, a city worker and union member of AFSCME DC47 Local 2187, and Sophia Lee, Sustainability Strategist, Architect, and Community Advocate as they share the incredible history and value of Cecil B. Moore Library, a vital neighborhood resource. Not only is this Library a unique example of Mid-Century Modern Architecture, but it has also provided a gathering space for community

Leslie Richards discusses TRIP’s first year turning research into real-world transit and mobility solutionsLeslie Richards, the former CEO and General Manager of SEPTA and PennDOT Secretary, recently launched the Transportation Initiative at Penn (TRIP) a new program that brings together scholars, students, public agencies, and private partners to address today’s complex mobility challenges. TRIP’s mission is to turn academic research into actionable transportation solutions that improve transit efficiency, mobility access, and sustainability in Philadelphia, across Pennsylvania, and nationwide. Leslie will discuss lessons learned from the first year of TRIP, including ways to accelerate the adoption of innovative transportation technologies, the

Exploring how Philly is democratizing the Semiquincentennial by centering Black history and expanding narratives of America’s founding.Our national celebrations have been a time to reflect on the republic's creation, heritage, and ideals. The Black presence contradicts the "storybook" idea of this nation's founding as a "white republic." As a result, African Americans' founding-era contributions have been marginalized during the Centennial, Sesquicentennial, Bicentennial, and now the Semiquincentennial. The Philadelphia community has challenged this "storybook" conception of our nation's founding. Becoming American: Philadelphia's Story, a feature-length film about the founding era through the lens of Philadelphia's African community, is one example of

Join author David Seltzer as he discusses how the world's subway systems reveal the culture, history, and identity of the cities they serve.On August 12th, David Seltzer will join DAG for a presentation based on his book,Transit Tourism: The Iconic Art and Design of 22 Subways Around the World, released in 2025 by Schiffer Publishing. Transit Tourism consists of travel essays and images on the art, architecture and design of 22 subway systems located in 18 countries, giving an underground perspective on the unique character of each of these cities. The premise of the book is that the visual culture

Discover Fairmount Park's future with CEO Tony Sorrentino as he discusses design, stewardship, and community.As the new CEO of Fairmount Park, Tony Sorrentino will share his vision for the future of Philadelphia's largest and most significant public landscape. Speaking to members of the Philadelphia Design Advocacy Group, he will explore how thoughtful leadership, design excellence, environmental stewardship, and community engagement can shape the park's next chapter. The presentation will highlight priorities for enhancing accessibility, preserving natural and historic resources, strengthening neighborhood connections, and creating welcoming spaces that serve all Philadelphians. Tony will also discuss the critical role of Conservancy as

Representatives from the DVRPC, SEPTA, and the Planning Commission join DAG to discuss leveraging the region’s transit network.Transit infrastructure has shaped the growth and development of the Philadelphia region ever since the first railroad opened here in 1832. As Philadelphia grew from a walking city planned around Penn’s grid to a metropolis built around rail service, it helped establish the blueprint for what would come to be known as transit-oriented development (TOD).Today, planners and policymakers are turning to Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC)—vibrant, connected neighborhoods centered on high-quality transit—as a strategy for guiding Philadelphia’s next chapter of growth. On October 14th, DAG