🥳 MAJOR VISION ZERO VICTORY
Thanks to your help, we achieved a major victory for Vision Zero!
We worked together with Philly Bike Action and the Bicycle Coalition to push for more Vision Zero funding, and we got it! Mayor Parker's proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year will include $5 million for Vision Zero.
Thank you to all those who got involved and helped make this happen!
Read more from Philly Voice:
📣 TELL PENNDOT YOUR PRIORITIES
PennDOT wants you to share your transportation needs.
This is an important opportunity to guide PennDOT's initiatives for the next decade and push for safer streets, no I-95 expansion, the Roosevelt Blvd subway, and more!
See our full guide on how to complete their survey.
👶 FAMILY-FRIENDLY BUSES
We have another victory to share with you! SEPTA is beginning its rollout of dedicated stroller spaces on buses. In the coming month, 120 buses on 6 lines will have a dedicated stroller spot.
Source: SEPTA
🔥 HIGHWAY TO HELL
David Murrell of Philly Mag wrote an excellent article on PennDOT's plan to widen I-95 through South Philly.
Check it out:
If you haven't already, sign our petition to tell PennDOT that Philadelphians don't want I-95 widened!
📽️ IN TWO WEEKS: FAULT LINES DOCUMENTARY SCREENING
Join 5th Square organizers and volunteers for an advance screening of the 80-minute documentary, Fault Lines, at Indy Hall in Northern Liberties on Tuesday, April 1st!
This is an exclusive screening of this documentary ahead of its festival run in the fall and will be followed by a short discussion on parallels to our fight for housing here in Philadelphia.
The film centers on three stories of people navigating the complexity of our housing system and draws on interviews with leading authorities on housing policy, including Jerusalem Demsas of The Atlantic, writer Noah Smith, and California State Senator Scott Wiener.
Fault Lines Documentary Screening
Tuesday, April 1, 6:00pm – 8pm
Indy Hall Clubhouse, 709 N 2nd St
📰 5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
Fae Ehsan, a member of urbanist advocacy group 5th Square’s steering committee and mother of 3-year-old Leila, was excited by the news.
“Navigating the urban environment as a parent … can be incredibly difficult,” she said. “As a mom with a young child, you have a stroller, and you may also have a big diaper bag. You take up a lot of space.”
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
🗳️ Get Ready for the Primary Election
Mail-in ballot applications are open for the 5/20 primary election. It takes only a few minutes to request a ballot now and make sure you're ready to vote in May. If you're not already a registered voter, you can register here.
🦺 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.
🛣️ 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
Special Briefing: The Future of Mass Transportation under Trump and the GOP
March 18, 11:00 am — 12:00 pm | Virtual via Zoom (register here)
In this briefing held by the Penn Institute for Urban Research, a panel of speakers will discuss the future of mass transportation under the new administration and Congress.
The Downtown Dynamic: Creating a Sense of Place & Possibilities
Mar 19, 2025 04:00 PM | Online via Zoom (register here)
Join Prema Katari Gupta in conversation with Patrick Morgan as they explore the narrative of Center City as a place to live, work, and play. They’ll explore strategies to sustain its retail and office recovery, alongside opportunities to foster a more inclusive and vibrant public realm.
Delaware River Turnpike Bridge Meeting: Pennsylvania In-Person Open House
March 19, 5p.m. – 8 p.m. | Benjamin Franklin Middle School, 6401 Mill Creek Rd, Levittown, PA
As plans advance to rehabilitate or replace the I-95 Delaware River Bridge, help us push for a new bike and pedestrian path across the Delaware River!
Roosevelt Blvd Dedicated Bus Lane Virtual Public Meeting
Wednesday, March 19th at 6:30 PM | Virtual via Teams (meeting link)
Join PennDOT and the City of Philadelphia for a virtual meeting on dedicated bus lanes for Roosevelt Blvd -- slated for the outermost lanes between Bustleton Avenue and Southampton Road. Can't make the meeting? Fill out this survey!
Delaware River Turnpike Bridge Meeting: New Jersey In-Person Open House
March 20, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Florence Township Municipal Building, 711 Broad St, Florence, NJ
As plans advance to rehabilitate or replace the I-95 Delaware River Bridge, help us push for a new bike and pedestrian path across the Delaware River!
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.
NKCDC Advocacy for the Avenue
Tue. March 25, 4-6:00 pm | Kensington Engagement Center, 3000 Kensington Ave
In celebration of the anniversary of March for Safety and Solutions, NKCDC is holding “Advocacy for the Avenue”.
Strong Towns Bucks-Mont PA: Supporting Public Transit
March 25 · 7 - 9pm | Resilience Resource Center, 2337 Philmont Avenue #108 Lower Moreland Township
Join the Bucks/Montco chapter of Strong Towns for a presentation and discussion about how we can support public transit in our area with Connor Descheemaker, the Statewide Campaign Manager for Transit For All PA.
Navigating Climate Anxiety
Thursday, March 27, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM | Indy Hall, 709 N 2nd St
Feeling overwhelmed by climate change? Join Net Impact Philadelphia, YIP, and Indy Hall for an evening of insightful discussions, networking, and community-building as we explore practical ways to navigate climate anxiety.
Accessory Dwelling Unit Competition | Finding Philadelphia's Missing Middle
March 29, 11am - 3pm EDT | Center for Architecture and Design, 1218 Arch St
The Community Design Collaborative is hosting its inaugural Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design Competition! Recognizing the pivotal role ADUs play in diversifying housing options and enhancing affordability, this competition aims to ignite innovative design solutions that foster equitable and sustainable communities.
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
🏛️ POLITICS
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Olney Community Collaborative / Corridor Outreach Manager
Economy League / Fair City Challenge
Open Philanthropy /
Circular Philadelphia / Executive Director
City of Philadelphia
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society / Director of the Philly Tree Coalition
Office of the City Commissioners / Election Board Worker
5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee.
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