5th Square co-chair Dena Driscoll writes about making Philadelphia more accessible for our oldest and youngest citizens in the Inquirer's public space series.
ACTION ITEMS
For women interested in running for office, Emerge Pennsylvania, a statewide training program for Democratic women, just began accepting applications for their next upcoming class. Applications are due in by October 26th.
5th Square has a busy July coming up, with three opportunities for you to get involved and help staff up our volunteer operation going into the 2019 City Council elections. Visit our Calendar page to see what's coming up.
EVENTS
Tuesday, July 10th, 8am-9am
22nd Street Human-Protected Bike Lane
Between South and Lombard streets, Vision Zero advocates will form a human-protected bike lane in response to the daily vehicle blockage in the painted bike lane in front of the 7/11 and the newly constructed Wawa, where a cyclist was hit (though not seriously hurt) last week.
Tuesday, July 10th, 5:30pm
Young Professionals in Transportation Game Night
YPT’s Philly chapter is hosting a Cards Against Urbanity Game Night at Field House. $8 in advance, $11 at the door, includes the first drink.
Wednesday, July 11th, 6pm-7:30pm
5th Square Marketing Committee Kick-Off Meeting
Join 5th Square's new Marketing and Communications team at Plenty Cafe this Wednesday. Between the 2019 City Council elections, new transit advocacy and YIMBY projects, 5th Square is going to have a lot of communications needs over the next year, and we need volunteers to get involved in all areas, including social media, graphic design, email blasts, petitions, writing and commissioning blog posts, Facebook ad targeting, and more.
Thursday, July 19th, 6pm-7:30pm
Philly YIMBY Kick-off Meeting
Calling all supporters of abundant housing of all kinds: 5th Square is forming a new Philly YIMBY ('Yes In My Back Yard') initiative to change the politics of housing by building coalitions of housing supporters at all levels of the land-use process. Get involved in helping grow the movement to protect and expand the gains from Philadelphia’s recent history of progressive zoning reform.
Wednesday, July 25th, 6pm-7:30pm
5th Square General Meeting
Our monthly general meeting is a good opportunity to meet other local urbanists, learn about the work our committees are doing, and get involved, We will be presenting some legislative updates on bills we've been tracking in City Council and the state legislature related to safer streets and housing, and discussing takeaways from the bus network redesign report completed for SEPTA by Jarrett Walker + Associates. All are welcome!
MERCH
5th Square is selling a limited run artist series t-shirt, featuring an original illustration by Kate Otte. Proceeds from sales will go to fund our 2019 political activities for City Council races. You can get a shirt at half price ($10 instead of $20) if you become a member, and sign up for a $5 recurring monthly donation. 
NEWS
In an op-ed for the Inquirer's public space series, 5th Square co-chair Dena Ferrara Driscoll writes that designing cities with 8 and 80 year-olds in mind is the way to create successful and equitable places that work for all kinds of people. Driscoll offers 5 ways Philadelphia can be made more accessible to our youngest and oldest citizens.
Dena was also able to get Parks and Rec to reverse some long-standing gendered swimming rules by tweeting at them.
Public streets should be a bigger part of Philadelphia's public space renaissance, says Jon Geeting, one of the co-founders of 5th Square and the Open Streets PHL campaign. Geeting suggests some more ways for local officials to build on the spirit of Philly Free Streets, but with smaller, more regular corridor-specific events.
Federal safety investigators have known for years that increased use of SUVs is behind the rising pedestrian death toll in America—not distracted walking or other pedestrian-centered theories.
Employee lobbying over lost parking from Festival Pier is one factor driving this awful proposal for a parking garage and Super Wawa on the Delaware River waterfront in Northern Liberties.
According to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, a suspect has been charged with homicide by vehicle in the hit-and-run crash that killed a 5-year-old on Friday, June 22nd.
The Inquirer's Cassie Owens and Jesenia De Moya Correa take a look at the tradition of enclosed porches with ornate metal gates in Latinx communities in North Philly.
Can riding SEPTA make you happier?
Mural Arts is hiring a Director of Communications and Brand Management
Amtrak is hiring a Senior Architect
The City's Commerce Department is hiring a Manager of Corridor Development
PIDC is hiring a Director for Navy Yard Leasing and Business Development
5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee. We're an all-volunteer grassroots organization advocating for safe and affordable transportation, abundant housing, and more and better public spaces. You’re receiving this email if you signed up via our website, attended one of our events, or supported one of our advocacy campaigns. Our work is made possible by generous, passionate people like you. Support our advocacy with a recurring monthly contribution of $5 or more.