5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee, organizing and advocating for better transportation, land use, and public space policies. Our work is made possible through the support of over 400 members donating anywhere from $5 to $25 a month.
🦅 GO BIRDS!
Congrats to the Eagles!
As Sunday night's celebrations showed, our city becomes a truly special place when our streets are filled with people and not cars. Go birds!
🔰 WHY WE SHOULD TAX LAND
Join us on Friday, February 28th for the Wharton-Weitzman Future of Cities Conference, where 5th Square is co-sponsoring a lightning talk on Why you should tax land, and how you should value it. The talk will be presented by Josie Faass, Executive Director of the Progress and Poverty Institute, and Will Jarvis, CEO of Valuebase.
The conference will feature panels, keynotes, and demonstrations on urban green space, transit oriented development, energy efficient building codes, affordable housing, accessible healthcare, new financing structures, workforce development, and emerging technologies.
Wharton-Weitzman Future of Cities Conference
Friday, February 28 · 8:30am - 6pm
The Study at University City, 20 S 33rd St
💰🛣️ PUSH FOR MORE VISION ZERO FUNDING
We need more Vision Zero funding! Help make it happen!
Source: PBA
This budget season, 5th Square is working with Philly Bike Action to push for Mayor Parker and City Council to contribute $5 million to Vision Zero funding in the city's upcoming budget.
More VZ funding means more of:
- Improving visibility at intersections
- Reducing crossing distances for pedestrians
- Kid-friendly school slow zones
- Protected bike lanes
- Road modifications that reduce speeding
Call for more Vision Zero funding by Signing PBA's petition!
🚋 TOMORROW: TROLLEY MODERNIZATION OPEN HOUSE
Tomorrow night from 5:30-6:45pm, SEPTA is hosting a virtual Trolley Modernization discussion focused on the 36 (T5) trolley.
Join them to learn about the project and provide input.
Register here to get the Zoom link for the open house.
SEPTA Route 36 [T5] Virtual Open House
Wednesday, February 12th, 5:30 pm-6:45 pm
Virtual (Zoom Link)
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
🎓🚌 Haverford Students: SEPTA UPass Survey
Are you a Haverford student? If so, respond to this survey created by two students about whether or not Haverford College should join SEPTA's UPass program which allows colleges to purchase steeply discounted SEPTA passes for students.
🌉 Safer Green Lane Bridge Petition
Philly Bike Action's advocates are organizing a petition to push for a safer design for the Green Lane Bridge between Manayunk and Bala Cynwyd.
The current proposed design would widen traffic lanes by removing one sidewalk, and replacing the other sidewalk with a shared-used path.
PBA's petition calls for the same number of vehicle lanes, but narrower and thus safer; and converting one sidewalk into a two-way bike path.
📣 Get Involved with Vision Zero
OTIS is developing its next Vision Zero Action Plan and you can participate in the process.
Use this form to fill out their survey, and see here for a full list of ways you can get involved!
🚌 Lehigh Ave Bus Lane
OTIS is studying a bus lane on Lehigh Ave from Kensington Ave to American St. Respond to their survey.
🛣️ 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
SEPTA Route 36 [T5] Virtual Open House
Wednesday, February 12th, 5:30 pm-6:45 pm | Virtual
SEPTA is hosting a Trolley Modernization discussion focused on the 36 (T5) trolley.
Philly Bike Party: Sing Your Heart Out
Saturday, February 15th, 8pm meet, 8:30pm roll | Art Museum Steps
Wharton-Weitzman Future of Cities Conference
Friday, February 28 · 8:30am - 6pm | The Study at University City, 20 S 33rd St
Join us for a 5th Square sponsored conference featuring panels, keynotes, and demonstrations on urban green space, transit oriented development, energy efficient building codes, affordable housing, accessible healthcare, new financing structures, workforce development, and emerging technologies. This year's theme is "Building for Belonging".
TransportationCamp PHL 2025
March 22nd | Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building, 3245 Chestnut St
Whether you work in the industry or simply have an interest, TransportationCamp PHL welcomes you for a day filled with ideas at the intersection of transportation, technology, and urbanism.
Main Street Now 2025 Conference
April 7 – 9 | Philadelphia Marriott, 1201 Market Street
Join local leaders and experts in commercial district stewardship from across the country for three days of education sessions, special events, and mobile workshops.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
🚴 MOBILITY
🏛️ POLITICS
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inquirer.com /
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
City of Philadelphia
Rebuilding Together Philadelphia / Project Coordinator
Project for Public Spaces / Community Placemaking Grants
Office of Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler /Constituent Services Advisor
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.