Entries by Patrick Kerkstra | Next City
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Why the Philly School District, One of the Nation’s “Most Screwed,” Is Laying Off Thousands
As the School District of Philadelphia lays off some 3,800 workers, it’s important to remember that poverty and a lack of funding, not only mismanagement, lead to school budget crises.
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Explore the Unexplored Philadelphia at the Hidden City Festival
Until June 30, the Hidden City Festival will have 10 projects on display at nine spots around Philadelphia.
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Sham Minority Contractors Have Been Hired in Your City, Probably
Philadelphia’s Inspector General last week announced that local contractors have used sham minority-owned companies to skirt antidiscrimination requirements. It’s a shortcut used in cities across the country.
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Can Philadelphia Afford to Lower Its Wage & Business Taxes?
The debate over how our collective tax burden should be divvied up is happening all over the country. A look at how the conversation is going in Philadelphia.
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Down to the Parcel, ‘CultureBlocks’ Maps Philly Arts and Culture
This week, Philadelphia released an online mapping tool that details the city’s cultural terrain.
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The Burden of Closed School Buildings
What happens to a community when its greatest public asset transforms overnight into one of its worst physical liabilities?
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On Washington Avenue, a Playground for Philadelphia’s Urban Makers
A studio in Philadelphia provides the equipment, training and face-to-face experience for hobbyists, artists and entrepreneurs to manufacture things.
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Shedding its Fusty Architectural Past, Philly Welcomes Nordic Starchitect Snøhetta
The latest evidence of Philadelphia’s architectural comeback? Snøhetta is coming to town.
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Beneath the Shouting Match, a Look at Philly’s First Post-Recession Budget
Thanks to protesting union members who drowned out the mayor, many of the topics outlined in Philadelphia’s budget on Thursday got pushed to the side. But Actual Value Initiative, relocation of the police department, bike share, and bike-ped trail expansions are all still up for grabs.
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Doing Cool Stuff With Water
A design competition last week called for progressive solutions to issues of stormwater management at three Philadelphia sites.
