🚌 EXPANDING STUDENT SEPTA ACCESS
We're working to win expanded student passes for SEPTA.
Are you a parent, or do you work directly with youth? We are seeking volunteers to testify THIS THURSDAY at 10am at City Hall. RSVP Here
Councilmember Landau introduced Resolution 240757, calling on The School District of Philadelphia to expand SEPTA Student Fare Passes to all students for usage at all times, and regardless of their distance from schools.
⏰ RITTENHOUSE OPEN STREETS ENDING SOON
Center City District's series of car-free open streets in the Rittenhouse Square area will be ending soon. The last one will be this upcoming Sunday, 9/29 from 10am to 5pm.
Stop by to see what our city can be when we prioritize people over cars!
Photo Credit: Daniel Paschall
🏀 PARKER ENDORSES 76ERS ARENA
This past week, Mayor Parker announced her support for the proposed 76ers arena in Center City.
Read more from WHYY: Mayor Parker says agreement reached over 76ers arena in Center City
📖 BOOK TALK WITH ANNA ZIVARTS
On October 7th, 5th Square will be hosting author Anna Zivarts to discuss her newly-published book about adapting our transportation system for non-drivers titled When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency.
Pizza and drinks will be provided. A $10 donation is suggested. Check out the book and RSVP here.
🚆 MPACT CONFERENCE
The Mpact Transit + Community Conference 2024 will be held in Philadelphia on October 20-23! The conference focuses on the interactions of transit, mobility, land use and development in building great places to live for everyone.
Mpact is looking for volunteers to help guide attendees. There are over 30 mobile tours/workshops across the city and surrounding counties, as well as social events at Center City conference venues that need staffing and wayfinding.
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
🚲 47th St Bike Lane Petition
With the upcoming repaving of 47th St, Philly Bike Action is calling for traffic calming measures and the creation of a parking-protected bike lane along 47th St from Chestnut St to the Grays Ferry Bridge. Sign their petition here.
🚏 Support the Old City Bus Terminal
In the year since Greyhound closed its station on Filbert St, one million bus riders have been left stranded with no shelter. They had to contend with hazardous air quality, torrential downpours, and endless days of 90-plus degrees while often waiting hours for a delayed bus.
The proposed temporary bus terminal location in Old City would significantly improve conditions in the short term while a more permanent solution is pursued. Sign our petition supporting it here.
🛣️ Stop I-95 Expansion
PennDOT is planning to expand I-95 in Center City and South Philly by adding lanes and new ramps. This will threaten the well-being of our neighborhoods by worsening air quality, increasing noise pollution, harming our access to the waterfront, and destroying sports facilities. To make matters worse, PennDOT has been deceitful about its engagement efforts.
Join us in telling PennDOT that highway expansion has no place in the core of Philadelphia by signing our petition.
EVENTS
Bicycle Coalition Annual Gala & Awards Dinner
September 26, 5:30 to 9:00pm | Ridgeland Mansion in Fairmount Park
Join the Bicycle Coalition for its annual fundraising gala featuring cocktails, a three course plated dinner, an award ceremony, and silent & live auctions featuring unique cycling opportunities, bikes, gear, and surprises!
Jerusalem Demsas at Pen and Pencil Club
Thursday, September 26, 7:00 PM-10:00 PM | 1522 Latimer St
Join us to see Atlantic writer Jerusalem Demsas discuss her debut book: "On the Housing Crisis: Land, Development, Democracy."
Slow Roll Memorial Bike Ride for Barbara
Saturday, September 28, 10:00AM-11:30AM | Civic Center Blvd and Spruce St
The Bicycle Coalition and Families for Safe Streets will work in collaboration with Barbara's friends and family to host a silent, slow roll bike ride from Civic Center Blvd and Spruce St. to the site of Barbara Friedes crash, 18th and Spruce. We will place an Angel bike at the crash site and hold a memorial for her.
Delaware River Festival
September 28, 10 AM - 4 PM | Penn's Landing and Wiggins Park
A free family-friendly event on the Delaware River in Camden and Philly with environmental activities, boat rides, prizes, and water-centered learning.
Transit Forward - Solidarity with TWU 234 Harrisburg Rally!
Tuesday, October 1, 7:30am to 2:00pm | 1301 S Christopher Columbus Blvd
Join Transit Forward Philadelphia in showing solidarity to transit workers in TWU 234. The union is organizing a large rally in Harrisburg. The main group will be traveling together via bus, rented by the union.
NABSA Annual Conference
October 7-9 | Convention Center
The North American Bikeshare & Scootershare Association will be holding its annual conference in town which will serve as a cross-sector gathering space for shared micromobility professionals.
Fast Forward Philly
Tuesday, October 8th, 6pm | 1319 Walnut St
Join us for the 12th annual Fast Forward, a DesignPhiladelphia festival event! A lineup of presenters from various creative backgrounds will Fast Forward through 20 slides at 20 seconds each to answer one question: What's next for Philly?
Mpact Transit + Community Conference
October 20-23 | Convention Center
The annual Mpact Transit + Community conference (formerly Rail~Volution) focuses on the interplay of transit, connected mobility options, land use and development in building great places to live – for everyone. Sign up to volunteer here.
November 8–9 | Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
The goal of the conference is to provide extensive discussion of new and innovative research in urban and regional economics. Previous editions have convened 40 or more economists from around the world to present, discuss, and participate in the workshop.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
🚴 MOBILITY
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
City of Philadelphia
Clean Air Council / Sustainable Transportation Program Manager
New Kensington Community Development Corporation
National Association of City Transportation Officials /
Councilmember O'Rourke's Office /
Friends of the Rail Park
DVRPC
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.
Support our advocacy with a recurring monthly contribution of $5 or more.