July 14: Record hotel occupancy | Philly’s unaffordable affordable housing strategy | The problem of parochialism

Holly Otterbein connects the new Convention Center work rules to the news that Philly hotel occupancy is hitting record highs, and I also thought it was interesting that leisure travel is as important a contributor as convention and business travel. 

Another important piece of context is that this is part of a national trend.

Jay McCalla explains the political economy undergirding the city’s tolerance for paying insane prices for subsidized housing construction. 

Mark Dent looks at the underrated obstacle that parochialism presents for Philly’s efforts to become a more cosmopolitan city–something that crops up a lot in the planning and land use debates. 

Go inside the Armory of the First Calvary Troop–the castle-looking building at 23rd and Ranstead. 

Jacob Adelman checks in on the Navy Yard’s progress 10 years into city custody.

Missed our recent coverage of the Navy Yard? Ashley Hahn reviewed the new Central Green park, Jim Saksa updated us on the push for a BSL expansion, and I told you about the upcoming negotiations that could finally unlock some housing development.

A new study says today’s young people really are driving less than previous generations did at the same age.

OEM Director Samantha Phillips won’t say publicly what the city’s emergency response would look like in the event of an oil train explosion.