Hopefulness in zoning reform | Parkway light sculpture | Logan Circle en Blanc | SEPTA greenwashing
In her column today Inga Saffron explains why the new zoning code, which went into effect Wednesday, is a “watershed event for Philadelphia.” In addition to being clearer and easier to use, the new code is a better reflection the way we live and our aspirations for making the city more livable. “There is a real hopefulness in acknowledging those changes in how we live and work. Instead of bracing for decline, Philadelphia’s new code assumes the city’s population will grow in the future, and it encourages higher density buildings to accommodate the newcomers.”
This fall the Parkway will come alive after dark with two dozen 10,000-watt search lights in a giant interactive art installation created by artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and the Association for Public Art. PlanPhilly’s JoAnn Greco explains how Open Air Philly’s lighting design will emerge from voice messages and selections programmed by people using an iPhone app. The installation will last from September 20-October 14.
Dinner en Blanc packed Logan Circle with 1300 diners clad in white Thursday evening, reports the Insider.
SEPTA’s hybrid diesel buses are greenwashed, writes Mike Szilagyi on Hidden City Daily. Instead Szilagyi makes the case that for SEPTA to truly go green, the agency should switch (or restore) lines to electric trolleybus and streetcars service.
The Buzz is Eyes on the Street’s morning news digest. Have a tip? Send it along.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Brought to you by PlanPhilly
PlanPhilly
In-depth, original reporting on housing, transportation, and development.
Part of the series
Eyes on the Street
Eyes on the Street brings new ideas and fresh voices into the conversation about Philadelphia’s changing cityscape.
Can SEPTA’s infrastructure counter transit anxiety?
Transit systems like SEPTA aren’t absent from urban planners’ guise of how public infrastructure impacts users physically and emotionally.
4 days ago
Listen 4:30
SEPTA is piloting a new gate to help stop turnstile jumping
The transit agency is testing out a new gate system at 69th Street Station that would replace the traditional turnstiles currently in use.
3 weeks ago
Why has SEPTA once again delayed its bus revolution?
After two years of public comment, SEPTA’s bus-route overhaul is yet again back to the public for further comment before being approved for implementation.
2 months ago