Join us in honoring Jennifer Keesmaat and the student winners of the 2019 Better Philadelphia Challenge. Keesmaat is the former Chief Planner for the city of Toronto, Ontario, and host of the podcast Invisible City. Her work in Toronto has focused on walkability, affordable housing, and initiating conversations with the community to get them involved in the planning process.
This year's Better Philadelphia Challenge asked student entrants how the design of public space in the neighborhood around McPherson Square, from sidewalks and streets to landscaping and street furniture, could help address the effects of the opioid epidemic, make the community safer, and improve quality of life for those in the neighborhood. Come meet the winning teams and see their visions for Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood.
The ceremony will be followed by a coffee + dessert reception for all in attendance.
With the purchase of a VIP ticket, we invite you to join us and the award winners before the ceremony at 5:00 PM for our VIP Reception which will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer, and live music. In attendance will be Jennifer Keesmaat, the competition winners, local dignitaries, and our built-environment focused sponsors, without whom this program would not be possible.
SCHEDULE:
5:00 - 6:15 PM | VIP Reception (requires VIP ticket)
6:30 - 7:45 PM | Awards Ceremony + Talk
7:45 - 8:30 PM | Coffee + Dessert Reception
DISCOUNTS:
College students can attend for only $5
High School students can attend for FREE
*email a photo of your VALID Student ID to [email protected] for discount code
COMPETITION PARTNERS:
Impact Services
Public Health Management Corporation
SHIFT Capital
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About The Edmund N. Bacon Awards + Talk
Founded in 2006, the annual Edmund N. Bacon Memorial Awards honors an accomplished figure who has made significant contributions to the fields of urban planning, development, and design through conviction of vision, effective communication, and commitment to improving their community.
This awards ceremony also honors the winners of the annual Better Philadelphia Challenge which asks university-level students from around the world to design innovative solutions for Philadelphia's neighborhoods, abandoned land, and infrastructure issues which present modern-day design challenges. The solutions to these challenges may be broadly applicable to other aging industrialized cities around the world.