Join us for a discussion of the design challenges and opportunities of reimagining Philadelphia’s civic commons. Together, William Penn Foundation, Knight Foundation, City of Philadelphia, and Fairmount Park Conservancy have made Philadelphia the first city to launch a pilot to transform ageing urban infrastructure and new civic assets into a “civic commons”. The bet is that these assets - reimagined and redesigned - can do a better job of serving the needs of today’s city residents and reknit communities across economic divides.
The pilot includes five exciting projects: Discovery Center, Reading Viaduct Rail Park, Bartram’s Mile, Lovett Memorial Library, and Park and Centennial Commons. Philadelphia and its designers will be in the spotlight as the initiative expands to other U.S. cities in 2016.
Panelists include:
- Shawn D. McCaney | Program Director, Creative Communities and National Initiatives, William Penn Foundation
- Carol Coletta | Vice President, Community and National Initiatives, John S. & James L. Knight Foundation
- Kathryn Ott Lovell | Executive Director, Fairmount Park Conservancy
- Bryan Hanes | Founding Principal, Studio Bryan Hanes
- Michael DiBerardinis | Deputy Mayor, Environmental and Community Resources