Comments on: Philly Mayor Tells Senate: Climate Bill Can Help Make Cities Greener

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:05:16 +0000

Population growth in the outer suburbs isn’t a ringing endorsement of Mayor Nutter’s livable-streets policies, and counting tomorrow’s net population growth as if it has already happened sounds like something Aesop wrote.

It makes me grumpy and sad to admit it, but I feel that the data support the counterargument better: that Mayor Nutter’s anti-automobilist policies are encouraging Philadelphians to flee to the suburbs.

By: Greg Raisman

Greg Raisman — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:53:00 +0000

Woo hoo! That photo is the green curb extension at 42nd & Belmont, Portland, Oregon. Designed by Scott Batson, PE in the Portland Bureau of Transportation in partnership with the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services.

More on the Green Streets program: http://www.portlandonline.com/BES/index.cfm?c=44407

Streetview has a photo of it under construction: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=42nd+%26+belmont+Portland,+oregon&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=30.323858,56.513672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=SE+Belmont+St+&ll=45.516557,-122.619009&spn=0.00654,0.013797&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=45.516562,-122.619118&panoid=LHQ5xgw6bKVnTtw4PN7GlA&cbp=12,283.52,,0,10.04

By: J

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:05:39 +0000

Philly is turning it around, with net population growth expected by next year. While it may be true that the outer industrial edges of the city are still losing population, the center city is growing and expanding with an expanding service sector. Biking around South Philly and West Philly recently, the change is striking. Empty lots are rapid being filled in with new row houses. Abandoned houses are being renovated and refurbished. 10 year census numbers don’t always tell the full story.

A big part of that change is focusing on transportation and infrastructure. New bike lanes, renovated subway stations, and improved bus service certainly are a draw for young professionals moving to Philly from New York and DC. Plus, the row houses are still relatively cheap and often quite charming.

By: Elana Schor

Elana Schor — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:02:02 +0000

Jonathan, that Wikipedia article you link to contains a number with no context. Population is rising the greater Philadelphia metro area, according to the Census Bureau’s latest community survey, and the population declines within city limits have slowed from their previous highs to less than 1 percent. This gives a more comprehensive look: http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2008/08/04/editorial3.html

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:18:32 +0000

Elana, what new residents? Philadelphia has been losing residents for the last fifty-nine years.

By: Tyrell

Tyrell — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:15:29 +0000

Nice Post environmental issues should be take more seriously