Should Philadelphia regain its status as
a world class city?
CURRICULUM: Progress & The Future: Who Designs The Future?
Summary: Over time, regions evolve, culture evolves, and cities evolve. Most cities—both in the U.S. and throughout the world—see their influence and importance ebb and flow. Some cities regain their former glory; others settle into a sustainable, less glorious, future. Philadelphia is a good example of a world class city whose century-plus peak period ended a century ago. What is the best possible future for one of America’s oldest large cities, the 1.5 million people who live within its city limits, and the nearly 10 million people in the Philadelphia metro? And does Philadelphia represent a larger reality?
This question serves two masters: people in the Philadelphia region contemplating their own future, and people elsewhere who generalize Philadelphia’s issues. (Good opportunity for local events.)
Basic Understanding:
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What constitutes a “world class city?”Significant population density sufficient for rapid transit, connected neighborhoods
Crime and poverty limited to certain areas; business and tourism unaffected
Attractive, intriguing place to walk, especially at night (attracts tourists, young workers)
Appealing balance of wealth and affordable housing
Legacy urban life / new vibrancy: clean, convenient; appealing mix of ages, ethnicities, lifestyles, career opportunities in high-value sectors; very active arts, culture, food, nightlife, music, university community, significant sports franchises.
Examples of 21st century world class cities: London, Tokyo, Paris, NYC, Singapore, Shanghai, Vancouver, Toronto, Dubai, Sydney, Rome, Hong Kong, D.C. - all top-rung tourist destinations
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When and why was Philadelphia world class? (Roughly 1830-1930)
Began when Philadelphia was manufacturing and financial center of U.S. (First and Second U.S. Banks, Academy of Natural Sciences, Pennsylvania Railroad, First U.S. World’s Fair, etc.)
By 1870, NYC was larger--and growing much more rapidly. By 1900, fade began: duller place, less innovation.
Early and earnest in flight to suburbs; city lost its luster. Partly due to Black migration. By 1970s, economic shift from NE industrial cities to Sun Belt, region largely dormant until early 2000s.
Geographic location—once an advantage— shadow of NYC and rapidly-growing DC region.
Issues:
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Is “world class” the appropriate goal? Are other goals more worthy? Would national class suffice?
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What is the economic rationale? How much investment, what’s the return? Intangibles?
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What are the first steps? Local education? Riverfront parks? Funding startups and increasing local investment for growth? College graduate retention? Reducing income inequality? More affordable housing and better social programs? Crime prevention? Improved transit?
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How are other cities (U.S. and elsewhere) thinking about their past and their future? Examples may include Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Boston, Chicago; also Manchester, Marseilles, Kyoto, Xian, Mexico City.
Conversation Pit: Possible Topics
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How to keep college students in Philadelphia after graduation? (Brain drain issue)
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Name today's world class cities--and the likely world class cities 25 years from today?
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We should know more about world class cities outside the U.S.
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Does large population equate with world class status (why / why not)?
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Meaningful categories other than world class: regional class, wonderful place to live and work, etc.
Notebook Contents
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Largest cities in the world: 1600, 1650, 1700, 1750, 1800, 1850, 1875, 1900, 1925, 1950, 1975, 2000
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Largest cities in U.S.: same dates
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Statistics: Economic and population In the Philadelphia region, city
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Impact: world class status driven by geography - why place in the world matters
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Key drivers: immigrant families, creative professionals, LGBTQ, startup culture, VC culture, philanthropic support, college and university engagement, (more)
Examples of Web Assets
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What makes a world-class city?[1]
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A balance of vibrancy and history in Philadelphia[2]
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Suburban Sprawl: Census shows segregation is spreading in the Philadelphia region[3]
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Philadelphia was a leading agricultural area— because of its location, shipyards flourished. Here is the history.[4]
Scholars, Books, Other Sources
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Edward Glaser, American economist, Professor of Economics at Harvard University and author of “Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, and Happier.”
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ADD MORE
Creative / Educational Opportunities
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Pride of place: why the place I live is world class (contributed video, photos, illustration, essay)
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Interview: Mayor of Philadelphia, Governor of Pennsylvania
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ADD MORE
[2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XryrZvX7HZQ
[4] http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-Northeast/Philadelphia-History.html