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
📣 BIKE LANE UPDATES
On Monday, three bills from CM Jeffrey Young unanimously advanced out of committee, bringing us a step closer to new bike lanes on:
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22nd St from Spring Garden to Green (NB)
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13th St from Cecil B Moore to Diamond (NB)
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23rd St from Race to Market (SB)
We applaud Councilmember Jeffrey Young for taking roadway safety seriously and thank the Councilmember for introducing these bills to make our streets safer and more accessible for all roadway users.
🏛️ SHOW UP FOR THE 3RD STREET BIKE LANE
CM Squilla has proposed a new bike lane for 3rd Street bike lane between Market and South Streets, and we're expecting roadway safety opponents to try to derail it at an upcoming meeting next week.
We need you to show up and support this new bike lane!
NEXT Thursday, March 6th, 6PM - 7:30PM
Old Pine Community Center, 401 Lombard Street
Please attend whether you live, work or travel through this stretch.
🌲🚲 KEEP UP THE SUPPORT FOR SPRUCE AND PINE
The attack on Spruce and Pine Streets' bike lanes continues and we need nearby residents to help show that the vast majority of neighbors support safe streets.
If you have a window facing Spruce, Pine, or a nearby street, a local artist designed a poster to hang in your window and you can get one for free!
Pick a poster up here:
Partners And Son
618 S 6th St
Open Wednesday-Saturday 12–6, Sunday 12–5
And please also print this QR code flyer for our petition to go along with it.
🗳️ GET READY FOR THE PRIMARY
We're still a few months out from the primary election on 5/20, but mail-in ballot applications are open. It takes only a few minutes to request a ballot now and make sure you're ready to vote in May.
Any registered PA voter can request a mail-in ballot for any reason. If you're not already a registered voter, you can register here.
🚇 SEPTA METRO ROLLOUT
The SEPTA Metro rollout is underway! Philly Mag has an explainer about what's changing.
There may be some initial confusion as we all adjust to this new system, but this is a great move which will improve and simplify wayfinding across our transportation system, especially for those with limited English proficiency.
🏗️ INCREASING OUR HOUSING SUPPLY
Last week, Mayor Parker signed an executive order to create and preserve 30,000 housing units. The best way to counter rising rents and home prices, is to build more homes so we're looking forward to seeing more of Mayor Parker's plan.
We'll be following this and we'll keep you updated when we have ways you can get involved to support increasing Philadelphia's housing supply.
🤝 GET INVOLVED WITH DVRPC
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) plays a major role in planning and funding transportation projects throughout the region.
The DVRPC's Public Participation Task Force is hosting an online meeting for community members to learn more about the Long-Range Plan (LRP) and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and how they affect transportation projects in your neighborhood, with opportunities for attendees to provide feedback and comments.
Public Participation Task Force Meeting: Planning and Funding Transportation Infrastructure Across the Region
March 13, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Online via Zoom (register here)
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
💰 More Vision Zero Funding
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!
🦺 Support Castor Ave Safety Improvements
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.
🎓🚌 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
Wharton-Weitzman Future of Cities Conference
Friday, February 28 · 8:30am - 6pm | The Study at University City, 20 S 33rd St
Join us at the conference for a 5th Square co-sponsored 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.
3rd Street Bike Lane Public Meeting
Thursday, March 6th, 6PM - 7:30PM | Old Pine Community Center 401 Lombard St
Attend an open house meeting to support a new bike lane in Center City on 3rd Street from South to Market Streets. We need all hands on deck as roadway safety opponents will be there to try and derail this vital project. Please attend whether you live, work or travel through this stretch.
NightCycle PHL Expo Ride
March 8th, 6pm meet, 6:30pm roll | Rail Park
2025 Philly Bike Expo
March 8 – 9 | PA Convention Center
The Philly Bike Expo is an annual weekend-long event featuring exhibitors, seminars, presentations and events representing the spectrum of cycling.
Germantown Station Area Concept Open House
March 11, 4:30-6:30 pm | Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library
68 W Chelten Ave
SEPTA wants to bring mixed-use, transit-oriented development to Germantown Station on the Chestnut Hill East line. Attend their open house to learn more about their plans and give feedback.
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.
Fault Lines Documentary Screening
April 1st, 6-8pm | Indy Hall, 709 N 2nd St
Join 5th Square organizers and volunteers for an advance screening of the 80-minute documentary, Fault Lines! This is an exclusive screening of this documentary ahead of its festival run, followed by a short discussion on parallels to our fight for housing here in Philadelphia.
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
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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