Next City Event: Talk | Beyond the High Line: Transforming Philadelphia

Stop by for the launch of this year’s Beyond the High Line, a series of free talks about adaptive reuse projects around the world. The first talk features the Reading Viaduct, a 3-mile-long railway traveling through Philadelphia. Beginning in 1893, the railway carried both passengers and mail to and from the Reading Terminal, in downtown Philadelphia. When the railway ceased operations in the 1980s, nature took over, covering the tracks with wild grasses and self-seeded shrubs. Can’t make the event? Connect live using the Twitter hashtag #HighLineTalks.

Paul Levy, of Center City District, will present plans for his business improvement district’s vision of a Philadelphia destination centered around a transformed Reading Viaduct. Leah Murphy, of Friends of the Rail Park, will speak on behalf of the nonprofit’s mission to preserve the historical industrial character and existing self-seeded landscape of the elevated viaduct and submerged City Branch and build a three-mile park. More info on the speakers can be found here.

The Beyond the High Line series is presented by Friends of the High Line in partnership with Next City. Be sure to follow Next City’s blog coverage of each talk and topic, starting with Sarah Goodyear’s Talking Public Space Space Beyond the High Line.

Upcoming Beyond the High Line Talks
Monday, July 15, 6:30 PM: Building Equitable Cities and Public Spaces
Majora Carter, of the Majora Carter Group, and Enrique Peñalosa, former mayor of Bogotá, will explore how public space creates equitable cities.

Monday, September 23, 6:30 PM: Transforming Staten Island
James Corner, of James Corner Field Operations, and Eloise Hirsh, of the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, will discuss the planned development of Fresh Kills landfill into one of New York City’s largest public parks.

All talks are free and begin at 6:30 PM on the High Line at West 14th Street (the 14th Street Passage). Enter the High Line via stair or elevator at West 14th Street and 10th Avenue.