Healthy, Sustainable Communities - May 14

A City That Works - May 14, 2008
Healthy, Sustainable Communities Discussion Group at The Inquirer

This group was sharp, well informed and understood the concepts.   Most were community activist and their initial visions of success reflected their particular interest or issue.   However, as the discussion went on, the issues expanded.  All participants, except one, were city residents with several different neighborhoods represented. The discussion was lively with some of the most intense discussion revolving around citizen/resident input into zoning and development and the availability of safe, green space in all neighborhoods.  Some talked about their wish for a sense of camaraderie between neighbors; for others that was not so important as long as the neighborhood was clean and residents felt safe.   People were very clear that their vision for success extended across all the neighborhoods, not just their own.  A successful city meant that ALL neighborhoods were safe, clean and had plentiful public spaces. 

-- Carol Lyden and Pat Belk

What does this goal mean to you?

• There are trash barrels/recycling bins on street corners in ALL neighborhoods, which are emptied regularly.

• Every resident in every neighborhood is able to walk to a parks, green spaces or rec. centers which are safe and clean.

• All neighborhoods offer a sense of camaraderie in which residents can live without fear or suspicion.

• Libraries and rec. centers are open (including nights and weekends) and there are quality public spaces in all neighborhoods.

• All residents live within  4-6 minutes of public transit stops.  All bus stops have a shelter.

• Philadelphia is a city of mixed income/intergenerational neighborhoods.  It was noted that older, retired people were the “eyes and ears’ of the neighborhood.

• The sound of people talking and laughing and interacting on the streets is good. 

• More recreational amenities bring people out and about, i.e. tennis courts, soccer fields, and basketball courts.  These sports don’t require expensive investment so they could be developed in all neighborhoods.

The city has a “vision” for parks and rec. centers.

• Parks and recreation centers are vibrant and full of people who use them.  Programs are varied and interesting and the people that work in them also use them – there are no “sitters.”

• The Delaware Riverfront plan (Penn Praxis/New Kensington) needs to be implemented ASAP.

• Communities develop plans to respond to changes in their neighborhoods and the city e.g. new residents, immigration.

• There is a land-use planning policy.

• Historic preservation is part of the city government.

• Zoning covers public/green spaces as well as buildings.

Performance measures (What success would look like)

• Historic Preservation is part of the zoning code rewrite.

• Within a 4-6 minute walk of every residence, there is a safe, clean gathering place, i.e. park, playground or recreation center.

• Each planning district will set aside 10 percent of space for community gardens/green space by 2015.

• Every resident of the city will be within a 4-6 minute walk (this was presented by someone as the preferable standard) of a bus shelter/public transit with frequent service. 

• By 2010, Philadelphia develops a plan for intergenerational/multi-income/racially-ethnically mixed accessible and affordable housing.

• By 2010, 30 percent of communities are engaged in developing a five-year Community Development Plan, which includes citizen input.  *It was noted that enforcement and/or implementation of these plans is essential.  It is no good to develop a plan that will never be used or considered.

• The above-mentioned Community Development Plans will work in conjunction with a citywide comprehensive development plan and the Zoning Board will consider both in a rewrite of the Zoning Code.

• Within three years, there are no more abandoned houses in Philadelphia.  All are torn down, renovated or developed based upon what is best for the community.  A strategic plan for this must be developed using community input.

• Reduce solid waste (demolition waste) by 35 percent by 2010.  There was discussion of the recycling of construction materials and/or the use of recycled materials in new construction or renovation in the city. 

• LEED standards must be followed.

Customer-service standards

*Note:  Due to the intense discussion of the vision for success and performance measures, we had very little time left for the customer service discussion. 

• Following initial call to 311 (this assumes that 311 is implemented successfully), caller will receive follow-up call back/email within two days.

• Tracking information is available re: call (like UPS or Fed Ex tracking numbers.)