📖 BOOK TALK ON MONDAY
This Monday 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.
📈 MORE OPEN STREETS
Were you one of the thousands of Philadelphians who enjoyed the past month of Sunday open streets in Center City? We thought they were great and would love to see more.
Photo Credit: Daniel Paschall
If you want to see more open streets too, you can fill out Center City District's survey and ask for more open streets events using the write-in options.
⚖️ I-95 EXPANSION OR SEPTA FUNDING?
While SEPTA is preparing to cut service and raise fares due to its budget deficit, PennDOT is gearing up to spend millions for an I-95 expansion in South Philadelphia that the vast majority of residents don't want.
It doesn't have to be this way. Instead of writing blank checks for highway projects, we can instead fund our city's vital public transit system.
The Inquirer's columnist Inga Saffron writes about the issue:
🚆 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
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 /
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.
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