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.
🛣️ FULLY FUND VISION ZERO
This budget season, 5th Square joining roadway safety groups calling on the Mayor and City Council to contribute $5 million to Vision Zero in the city's upcoming budget.
Demand more Vision Zero funding by signing this petition!
TODAY: VISION ZERO PARTY & COUNCIL HEARING
Join folks from Philly Bike Action at a City Hall rally for vision zero funding & inside for a council hearing on the City's Vision Zero progress!
PARTY FOR VISION ZERO
TODAY starting at Noon
Outside Philadelphia City Hall - East Side
CITY COUNCIL VISION ZERO HEARING
TODAY starting at 1 PM
Philadelphia City Hall, Room 400
🔄 COUNTERING THE OPPOSITION
This week, we've seen flyers on car windshields along Spruce and Pine Streets by roadway safety opponents telling neighbors that bike lane plans will sacrifice their parking.
Sign this petition to show your support of the City's plan to make Spruce & Pine Streets safer for all users.
Separately, roadway safety opponents have rented a billboard on Castor Ave in Northeast Philly organizing folks to oppose a plan to save lives along this deadly corridor.
Fortunately, there is a neighborhood petition supporting the proposed safety measures for Castor Ave -- from Oxford Circle to Cottman Ave.
Safety needs to take priority over convenience in road design to prevent future deaths.
🦺 BY MONDAY: APPLY TO BE A VISION ZERO AMBASSADOR
OTIS is looking for Vision Zero Ambassadors for 2025 and the application deadline is Monday, February 24th.
The next batch of VZ ambassadors will speak with their community about traffic safety issues, and help OTIS draft the city's next Vision Zero Action Plan.
👀 A LOOK INSIDE SEPTA
If you were one of the hundreds of thousands who attended the Eagles victory parade by bus, subway, train, or trolley, here's a look at how SEPTA got you there.
The Inquirer:
Source: The Inquirer
🔰 NEXT WEEK: 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
🚨 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
[Rescheduled] Friday, February 21st, 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
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
City of Philadelphia
Rebuilding Together Philadelphia / Project Coordinator
Project for Public Spaces / Community Placemaking Grants
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.