Philadelphia 26: Leveraging the Mega-Events of 2025 for Long-Term Impact

Recognizing Roots Grounding the 250th Around Philly’s Neighborhood Gateways

In 2026, Philadelphia has a major opportunity to showcase itself to the world as home to vibrant neighborhoods and unique identities not seen anywhere else. The 250th offers a crucial opportunity to create a legacy that will last for years after the anniversary, uplifting the stories and experiences of residents from all areas of the city. As the City plans for 2026, it is important to center activities around the neighborhoods that make Philly home for residents of all backgrounds.

In collaboration with PHILADELPHIA250, we have identified 16 corridors around the City that may host events throughout 2026, highlighting the unique culture of the neighborhood and residents that it lies within.

Engaging Immigrant Populations 250th celebrations should be built by, and belong to, all Philadelphians. The map to the right shows the spread of residents born outside of the US. Engaging communities with a strong immigrant presence allows for more inclusive activities to be offered throughout the year. Some communities that may be highlighted include Oxford Circle, Lower Moyamensing, and Elmwood Park.

Identified Cultural Landmarks The map to the right highlights some of the identified cultural landmarks around Philadelphia. While these sites cluster around Center City, Fairmount Park, and Germantown, the 250th presents an opportunity to highlight other sites recognized within local communities.

Source: OpenDataPhilly 1

What is a Gateway?

As 2026 kicks off, neighborhoods will be given a spotlight to showcase a few of the things that make it unique. From the Manayunk Arts Festival to ACANAFest, the Gateways welcome residents and visitors to expand their exploration of the City.

It is not enough to only observe the officially recognized cultural landmarks, existing community assets must be engaged to create inclusive 250th programming.

Nobody knows Philly neighborhoods better than those who live there. Because of this, it is crucial to involve local organizations and community leaders not only as key stakeholders, but as creators and collaborators. Community assets do not look the same one block to the next - they can take the form of legacy businesses, informal neighborhood events, and local partnerships.

Recommended Gateway Areas 1.

2.

3.

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16.

Manayunk / Roxborough Germantown Oxford Circle Benjamin Rush State Park Glen Foerd Tacony West Fairmount Park Strawberry Mansion / North Philly Centro de Oro Richmond Street American Street Schuylkill Riverwalk Lower Moyamensing Stadium District Elmwood Park 52nd Street

2

Celebrate, Locally!

A Network of Community Viewing and Cultural Celebration of the World Cup

In 2026, Philadelphia will be welcoming the world as it hosts the most popular sporting event, the FIFA World Cup. In many communities around the globe, the return of the tournament every 4 years is associated with the community gathering in an open space, sharing food and drinks, and anxiously watching their country perform on the greatest international stage.

We want to make this kind of event possible for communities in Philadelphia.

However, the current process in Philadelphia makes it incredibly difficult and expensive to organize such events, and open space is often needlessly limited. These processes need to be streamlined for communities to host better events in 2026 and beyond.

Streamlining Event Planning Processes The current event planning process is too expensive and complex For a community organization to host an event in a public space in Philadelphia, the entity may have to get as many as 8 different permits with several different city departments. On top of this, almost all applications need to be sent via PDF or fax, and time limitations restrict communities from holding an event within 45 days of permit approval. To visualize this problem, we have created an event planning decision tree which allows organizations to navigate the system with their event requirements and figure out which permits they need to apply for. The decision tree can be found on our website1.

Policy Recommendations ● Consolidate applications into one system. Placing all relevant applications into one PDF or website walkthrough will cut down on time, confusion and hassle. Seattle has 1

bit.ly/Phila26 3

a great example of a single PDF application2. L&I’s Building Permit Navigator could also be used as a template for a web-formatted permitting process3. ● Solidify permit and service fees and make them publicly available. Estimating costs is an important part of making events equitable and accessible to all Philadelphia communities. Seattle’s Event Fee Estimation Tool4 can be used as an example. ● Shorten and streamline permit submission timeframes to allow for last-minute celebrations in the event of World Cup wins.

Vendor Portal Accessibility Vendor accessibility to events is limited Beyond it being complex to simply host events in the city, the process to have vendors at such events hosts a unique set of barriers. Vendors in Philadelphia are spatially restricted to events hosted within certain areas of the city, and if they are welcome, are not met with good access to business opportunities or operating permits. While a vendor portal does exist for the city, the portal hosts lacks several key aspects such as: appropriate availability Special Vending Licenses, accessible and far-reaching Communication Methods, and accessibility to the public.

Policy Recommendations ● Establish a comprehensive vendor support system within the portal, including a clear information guide, vendor matchmaking capabilities, a public database of vendors with current eligibility status, and live chat support.

2

Seattle Special Event Permit Application | Special Events Office | seattle.gov/special-events-office/form-and-applications 3 Philadelphia Permit Navigator | permits.phila.gov 4 Special Event Permit Fee Estimation Tool | Special Events Office | seattle.gov/special-events-office/form-and-applications

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Expanding Space for Celebration Many neighborhoods lack the open space to host community events Finally, even if communities had all of the resources necessary to host the events they wish, the availability of space is not guaranteed. Many neighborhoods around the city have limited access to open and green spaces, meaning that they need to either shut down a street or use spaces farther away. In order to properly address the inadequate event hosting environment in the city, we need to sufficiently answer the question: “Where can we celebrate?”

Policy Recommendations ● Leverage current public spaces by conducting thorough assessments of their use, accessibility, and amenities. ● Scale up the PHS LandCare Program to encompass additional neighborhoods, broadening its impact on transforming vacant lots into vibrant community spaces.

Consider factors such as population density, community engagement, and cultural significance to guide the targeted growth of the program. ● Explore Collaborative Grant Programs to encourage community-led initiatives for transforming vacant spaces

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Bike Philly Leveraging 2026 to Enhance the Quality & Connectivity of Philly’s Bicycle Infrastructure

2026 will put Philly’s bike infrastructure to the test 2026 will bring an estimated 500,000 visitors from around the world in peak cycling season. This comes on the heels of bikeshare systems around the country, including Indego, breaking ridership records every year in the wake of the pandemic. ● Despite a concerted effort to build enhanced bicycle infrastructure, 2023 has been the deadliest year on record for cycling fatalities with 11 cycling deaths. ● How can Philadelphia’s bike infrastructure—both Indego and the street network—be prepared to give visitors a safe and comfortable experience by bike?

How can we address these challenges?

Making the choice to cycle: enhancing quality of the cycling facilities Focusing on the safety of the biking infrastructure can double the number of bike riders. This will prove beneficial for 2026 especially among visitors where they will be more inclined to utilize the biking infrastructure and bike share programs like Indego. ● Installing parking separated bike lanes (PSBLs) are relatively inexpensive and a powerful way to improve cyclist comfort and safety. ● Extending the bike connectivity for visitors using activity-based bike planning approach. This approach focuses on the three components: Destinations, Activity routes or commercial corridors, and Indego facilities.

Having confidence in your route: from turn-by-turn navigation to cognitive wayfinding

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Residents and visitors alike acquire a richer understanding of how to get around—a process known as cognitive mapping—through receiving both wayfinding orientation and turn-by-turn directions. ● Many people who are unfamiliar with where they’re at rely on turn-by-turn navigation, entering their destination in an app A to point B output. This gets people to their location, but doesn’t give them full confidence to navigate their environment. ● However, people often rely on landmarks, other people, and route quality or comfort to guide their decisions. This is known as wayfinding by orientation, which allows us to create a rich understanding of our location beyond a strict A to B geography.

What might an enhanced cycling network look like?

Bike Philly pilot is proposed for the neighborhood Lower Moyamensing. This selection is based on strategic considerations that stands out as a prime destination in 2026. Serving as a gateway , celebration site, and proximity to stadiums, and having traditional bike lanes with limited reach of Indego bike share makes it an ideal site for this innovative initiative.

Recommended Bicycle Infrastructure Upgrades Intervention

Location

Parking Separated Bike Lane (PSBL)

Snyder Ave. between 2nd & Broad Oregon Ave. between 2nd & Broad 4th St. between Oregon & Snyder

Protected intersection for bikers

10th & Packer

Activity Based Bike Lane

S 7th Street from Snyder Ave to Oregon Ave

Enhanced Indego wayfinding

Mifflin Square Park (Wolf & 5th) Stadium District (Packer & 10th) Oregon & Broad Snyder & Broad

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Enhanced Indego Wayfinding A handful of Indego stations have included supplementary signing in addition to advertising. We propose to enhance these signs in the following ways to maximize information accessibility and quality, based on precedent in SEPTA Metro and the Mexico City Metro system.

Side A: putting you and your location in context ● ● ●

Bicycle and charging icon stands out prominently on top Area name takes prominence over cross street Iconography prioritized over English phrases for non-English speakers

●

Directions & time give indications of length and direction of bike ride

Side B: giving you the confidence to navigate the city’s bicycle network ●

Subway-style bike map flips traditional road hierarchy

●

SEPTA Metro branding included to foster bike share & transit connectivity

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ShopLegacy Philly Showcasing Legacy Businesses & Strategies for Continued Success

Legacy Businesses are small businesses that have a long & enduring presence within their community and are recognized for their cultural & economic significance.

Meeting the Moment In 2026, residents & visitors will visit neighborhood gateways across the City, with many visiting iconic eateries, shops, and venues. 2026 offers a unique time for the City to celebrate the historical and cultural impact of legacy businesses and their multigenerational contribution of shaping the City. But how can the City recognize legacy small businesses in 2026 and leave-in-place long-term strategies to support them?

Legacy businesses face multiple challenges in today’s business landscape. They struggle to adapt to changing technology and consumer preferences & neighborhood demographics, have a lack of succession planning, and experience rising operational costs. Despite their historical significance, legacy businesses must innovate and need support to thrive while preserving their legacies.

Make it a Philly Thing!

ShopLegacy Philly™ is a joint promotional & programming campaign that celebrates Philadelphia's 400+ legacy businesses during the Semiquincentennial & aims to create Philadelphia’s official Legacy Business Program after 2026. ● Legacy Business Registry - Establishing a registry to recognize and protect these legacy businesses, coupled with a dedicated program, would not only celebrate their historical significance but also provide them with the necessary resources to thrive in a rapidly changing economic environment.

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● Legacy Business Program - Within the Department of Commerce, a Legacy Business Program would include already existing resources and expand with new tools, fostering an environment where these businesses can continue to serve as cornerstones of the City.

With a Legacy Business Registry & Program, Philadelphia can: ● Promote & Celebrate Commercial Corridors ● Avoid Displacement & Commercial Closure ● Support Transition & Succession Planning ● Foster Connection & Knowledge-Sharing

Across the United States In 2015, San Francisco’s Office of Small Business established a registry and resource program for long-standing businesses, becoming the first municipal legacy business program in the U.S. Since 2015, many cities have recognized the value of long-standing businesses in preserving their cultural and economic heritage & have adopted/adapted the San Francisco model to their cities. By supporting these businesses through incentives, recognition, and resources, municipal legacy business programs connect small business development with historic preservation.

We invite you to visit our section entitled ShopLegacy Philly™ to learn more about our vision for Philadelphia’s official Legacy Business Program and how the City & community partners can showcase legacy businesses during the Semiquincentennial.

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Step To Zero Waste Leveraging the Events of 2026 to Get to Zero Waste

In 2026, Philadelphia has the opportunity to showcase itself both to visitors and residents alike. As it does so, it is important that Philadelphia double down on its long-term goal of reaching zero-waste by the year 2035. While the previous administration set this target, it has not taken the actions necessary to reach it, even disbanding the Zero-Waste Litter Cabinet in 2020. The events of 2026 provide the perfect leverage to pursue this goal.

Reaching zero-waste is critical for Philadelphia for several reasons: ● Environmental Justice: 80% of municipal incinerators are located in Environmental Justice communities. Toxic emissions from incinerators are associated with health conditions including asthma and heart disease that disproportionately impact these communities. ● Climate Change: Food waste causes 58% of the methane emitted from landfills.

Methane is more than 28% times as potent as carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere. ● Fiscal Savings: Philadelphia spends more than $48 million annually to address illegal dumping and litter. ● It’s Important to Residents: Philadelphians list the Department of Streets as the city department they want to see improved the most, and advocacy groups across the city have fought for a better waste diversion system.

Our studio group has created six recommendations that we encourage the Parker Administration to implement for how events can help the city reach zero-waste. These were formulated by researching waste diversion in Philadelphia, studying international best practices, and talking with Philadelphia waste advocates. ● Reestablish the Zero-Waste Litter Cabinet: Mayor-Elect Parker pledged on the campaign trail to revive the Zero-Waste Litter Cabinet that was eliminated in 2020.

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We encourage the next administration to keep this promise, and to prioritize discretionary funding to ensure the program continues. ● Create Neighborhood Nodes for Recycling and Composting: Since the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, there are now new funding streams for municipalities to invest in their recycling and composting infrastructure. We recommend that the city use grant funding to create neighborhood-scale waste diversion centers in neighborhoods that have been most impacted by Philadelphia’s waste issues. ● Launch a Communications Campaign: Events provide a key opportunity for outreach with residents across the city. We recommend the city use events as a tool to educate residents on how to divert waste and as an opportunity to rebuild trust in city government. ● Implement Actions that Maximize Waste Diversion at Events: We recommend the city go beyond its previous actions in encouraging waste diversion at events. Our recommendations include investing in new waste bins and branding, refillable water stations, connecting event organizers with sustainable vendors, and encouraging the city to partner with existing green businesses. ● Create Community Jobs by Establishing a Zero-Waste Events Team: The 2017 Zero-Waste and Litter Action plan utilized volunteers to educate residents. We recommend that the city use this role as a job program to develop a greener economy.

By adding this program into Philadelphia’s existing WorkReady program, the city can boost youth employment in the neighborhoods that need it most. ● Encourage Event Organizer Participation: Event organizers used to need to opt-in to being a zero-waste event to receive support from the city. We recommend that the city require large events to participate. Furthermore, the city should make it easier and provide incentives for small events to participate.

Mayor-Elect Parker campaigned on creating a cleaner and greener Philadelphia. By pursuing zero-waste events, a cleaner and greener city will be on display for visitors and residents alike for the events of 2026, a legacy that could last for decades to come.

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Final Review December 7th, 2023

1

Meet the Studio Team

| 2

A Legacy Planning Framework

What does it mean to not just plan for mega-events, but to leverage those temporary investments for long-term improvements in the quality of life for all of Philadelphia? | 3

250 Years in the Making

Photos: Pixels, West Philadelphia Collaborative History, Wikipedia, Ford Library, Chestnut Hill Local

1776

1876

1926

1976

2026

Signing of the Declaration of Independence

Centennial Exposition is held at Fairmount Park

Philadelphia hosts Sesquicentennial Exposition

America Celebrates the Bicentennial

The World Cup & Semiquincentennial

| 4

In 2026, Philadelphia will host:

MLB All-Stars

FIFA World Cup (in conjunction with 15 other cities)

Semiquincentennial (the 250th anniversary of the US)

| 5

The World Cup alone is anticipated to bring in

$500 million in economic impact

&

500,000 visitors

—how can Philly be positioned to thwart the challenges and seize the opportunities posed by an event of this scale? | 6 Sources: Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, FIFA

The Complexities of Mega-Event Planning

y rar

o mp Te e

Us

Qu e Pro stion fita abl bil e ity

High Cost of Infrastructure

Modern host cities are thinking about how they can prioritize the building of reusable infrastructure and introducing policies that will far outlast the event they are hosting.

This studio explores the complexities of planning for mega events and prepares several toolkits to ensure that 2026 will leave a lasting positive memory to Philadelphians and the city’s local organizations, communities, and agencies while staying realistic about what can be accomplished.

The final deliverable will include a public-facing website. | 7

Wayfinding through the Presentation A highlight of individual projects that make up our legacy event-planning studio:

Recognizing Roots

Celebrate, Locally

ShopLegacy Philly

Bike Philly

Step to Zero Waste

| 8

Recognizing Roots Grounding the 250th around Philly’s neighborhood gateways

Kathleen Scopis

Centering the 250th on Philadelphia’s Neighborhoods

Source: Visit Philadelphia

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How can the 250th be centered around Philly’s neighborhoods?

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As 250th events are being planned, how can Philly’s local communities be engaged?

Celebrations should be…

Local At the heart of neighborhoods located within reach of all Philadelphians

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Celebrations should be…

Local

Engaging

At the heart of neighborhoods located within reach of all Philadelphians

Incorporates legacy businesses and attractions that bring residents and visitors together

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Celebrations should be…

Local

Engaging

At the heart of neighborhoods located within reach of all Philadelphians

Incorporates legacy businesses and attractions that bring residents and visitors together

Contextual Rooted in the neighborhood’s unique history

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Gateways to the 250th Gateways will work to actively engage in neighborhoods across the city - Walking tours - Bus tours - Visits with local favorites and public figures - Food tastings featuring local restaurants

Source: Visit Philadelphia, Feet First Philadelphia

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Identified Cultural Landmarks

source: OpenDataPhilly

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Focus on Immigrant Communities

Bringing the world to Philly, and bringing Philly to the world

The 250th belongs to everyone, and everyone should be given a chance to shape it.

source: OpenDataPhilly

What did we learn?

Data is largely incomplete

Process must directly engage local organizations and community leaders

+ Recognized Landmarks

+ Immigrant Communities

?

Engaging Local Organizations

| 17

Gateways in Action—People’s Program for the 250th

Source: PHILADELPHIA250

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Resources posed during event will help decide potential sites and hotspots for 250th activities throughout the city

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Facilitating grassroots approach to events and celebrations

Sunset Social Event

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Presentation and discussion of Cultural Landmark map How are Philadelphia organizations thinking about the 250th?

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What did we learn?

Focuses on Germantown….

…and North Philly

Selected Gateway Areas 1.

2.

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4.

5.

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7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

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Manayunk / Roxborough Germantown Oxford Circle Benjamin Rush State Park Glen Foerd Tacony West Fairmount Park Strawberry Mansion / North Philly Centro de Oro Richmond Street American Street Schuylkill Riverwalk Lower Moyamensing Stadium District Elmwood Park 52nd Street

Case Study: Elmwood Park + Africatown

| 22

Next Steps

Key Takeaways -

Existing data acts as a good starting point,

-

but is not the whole story -

Collaboration among organizations will be key for a lasting legacy

Visit local businesses and organizations to discuss ideas for involvement

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Continue to hone and define areas appropriate for Gateway activities

Source: Visit Philadelphia

Celebrate, Locally!

A Network of Community Viewing and Cultural Celebration of the World Cup

Katie Hanford, Sidney Kusters, Yang Yang

In 2026, Philadelphia and other host cities will put on FIFA Fan Fest, a continuous watch party + entertainment event for the World Cup. We will also be commemorating the 250th anniversary of the US across the city.

As a city of neighborhoods, Philadelphians should be able to celebrate their favorite teams in their own backyards.

Event planning processes in Philly are complex and expensive, and many neighborhoods lack open space in which to celebrate. | 25 Source: DUMBO BID Watch Party

How can we streamline processes to foster local events and grow open space in 2026 and beyond? | 26

Why Celebrate Locally? A Breakdown of Community Benefits

Local Community Cohesion

Spillover to Small Businesses

Spread Out Economic Impact | 27

What does the process ACTUALLY look like?

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Key Decision Tree Elements

Notice: ● The repeating of information ● The multiplicity in payment recipients ● The format of applications ● The base costs of the excessive bureaucracy ● The variable cost of additional event elements | 29

Case Study: Lower Moyamensing Civic Association Lower Moyamensing Civic Association wants to put on an event to celebrate Mexico’s win in the Semi-Finals. They have one week to plan the celebration.

Let’s walk through the decision tree as if we were LMCA. Percent Foreign Born

NORT H

| 30 Source: www.lomophilly.org

ACS 2021

Case Study: Lower Moyamensing Civic Association Beer garden Food vendors (one truck, two stalls)

Estimated attendance

Event time

Expected vendors

500 people

3pm to 8pm

8 total

OR Street closure One block of 6th St

Mifflin Square Park

Public restrooms 2 portable | 31

Logo source: Noun Project

Case Study: Lower Moyamensing Civic Association Permit Required

Associated Cost

Time Limit before Event

Office of Special Events Application

$75

45 Days

Parks and Recreation Event Application

$50 base fee + $500 site fee

90 Days

Street Closure Application

$50 base fee + city service fees

45 Days

Health Department Special Events Application

$78

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Provide a list of vendors; have each vendor complete Vendor Application

—

—

Prepare and submit the Alcohol Management Plan

Mandatory security and double fence barriers with radius of at least 6 feet from alcohol service

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Tent Operations Permit

$580-$928 depending on weather

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Portable Toilet Application

$50 x 2 toilets, $100 holding fee

—

Special Liability Insurance Application

Fee by service

—

Source: phila.gov

$1,533+

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Streamlining Philly’s Event Permitting SEATTLE

Philly has a lot to learn from other cities’ event permitting processes Seattle provided the best example of a simple event permitting process -

One PDF asks all relevant questions across departments

-

An editable fee estimator gives applicants an idea of how much they will spend based on estimated attendance, location, duration, etc. | 33 https://www.seattle.gov/special-events-office/forms-and-applications

Logo source: Noun Project

Streamlining Philly’s Event Permitting L&I

Philly is already doing it! The Office of Licenses and Inspections created a simple website walkthrough to help applicants figure out what building permits they require

| 34 Source: https://permits.phila.gov/

Streamlining Philly’s Event Permitting THE SOLUTION

These are all low-tech, easily achievable methods that would significantly cut down the time and hassle of event planning - One PDF or website system cuts down on time, confusion and unnecessary back-and-forth between applicants and various City departments - Achieving this goal would require City departments to agree on required information and a transparent fee structure for permits and services For 2026, streamlining processes will be critical to allow citizens to celebrate how they want. Shortened permit submission timeframes are necessary to allow for last-minute celebrations in the event of World Cup wins. | 35

Vendors and Street Sales

Source: https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/essays/street-vendors/

| 36

Vending and Street Sales PHILLY’S VENDOR RELATIONS Philadelphia’s approach to vendor support has three main issues: ● 8 different types of vending permits ● Vendors are spatially restricted ● No lines of communication between event hosts and vendors

| 37 Source: https://phila.gov/

Vending and Street Sales

PHILLY’S LIMITED VENDOR PORTAL Limited Guidelines and Virtual Support

Limited Communication Methods

Limited Availability of Special Vending Licenses

Limited Public Data Accessibility

| 38

Vending and Street Sales

CREATING A VENDOR PORTAL - CASE STUDY NYC Street Vendor Portal

Recommendations for Philadelphia

What the portal does: -

Separate applications based on event type (i.e. for temporary event vendors) Give a step-by-step detailed guide Provide additional vending resources

What the portal doesn’t do: -

Showcase event information and vendor attendance

Clear information and help guide on required forms and licenses

Vendor Matchmaking Capabilities

Public Database of Vendors and current vending eligibility

Vendor support live chat

Source: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dcas/business/vendor-instructions.page

| 39

Expanding Celebration Space To maintain and increase open space available for events, the city should: ● ● ●

Utilize current public spaces Expand PHS Landcare Program to more neighborhoods Identify priority areas for program expansion

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What Can Philly Do Next?

1. STREAMLINE

Streamline permitting process to one PDF/website and shorten submission timeframes

2. CREATE

Create a vendor portal to help organize and promote vending at events and beyond

3. EXPAND

Support and expand existing open space programs to accommodate more neighborhood-based events | 41

Bike Philly Leveraging 2026 to Enhance the Quality & Connectivity of Philadelphia’s Bicycle Infrastructure

Bailey Bradford and Shefali Gupta

Source: The Philadelphia Citizen

An influx of visitors in 2026 will put Philadelphia’s cycling infrastructure to the test—how do we target investments to make cycling as safe and accessible as possible?

Bike Philly

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“We are proud to announce the City has installed separated bike lanes on more than 24 miles of streets and are on track to reach our Vision Zero goal of 40 miles by 2025.”

—Mayor Kenney in May 2023 press release

“...tourists accounted for more than a third of all users of the bike-share system over more than four years” —Richard Buning, The Conversation

Bike Philly

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Growth in cycling is transforming urban transportation

Bike Philly

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2.3% Share of Philly residents who biked to work in 2021

9.2% Increase in bicycle traffic over the Schuylkill between 2021 and 2023

| 46

2.5 fatal bicycle crashes on average for every million Philadelphia residents between 2017-2021 –National Highway Traffic

11 cyclists have been killed by collisions with cars in 2023—the deadliest year on record for cyclists in Philadelphia.

An urgent need to address cycling safety amidst rise in injuries and deaths

Safety Administration

Bike Philly

| 47

3.1% of total crashes are Bike Crashes

| 48

Only 6.4% lanes

Visitors value

2X more bike

are classified as

Separated Bike

trips on separated

separated bike

Paths,

Bike lanes

more than the

–DVRPC/ Vision

Biking time or costs

zero

lanes in Philadelphia

Bike Philly

| 49

Indego is doubling its size using strategic growth plan 2021-2026

Typical Route Planning: ● ● ●

Bike Philly

Relying on community input Emphasis on central business district (CBD) Limited access to peripheral areas

| 50

How can we address these challenges?

Bike Philly

1

Making the choice to cycle: enhancing quality of the cycling facilities

2

Having confidence in your route: from turn-by-turn navigation to cognitive wayfinding

| 51

Shifting gears from traditional route planning to visitor-based needs for 2026 and reutilizing it for the city post 2026

Moving from Traditional Bike route planning…

To utilizing some of the above elements and focusing on Activity Based Bike route planning …..and what is that?

Bike Philly

| 52

What is Activity Based Bike Planning?

Tourism Attraction Points Bike Philly

Numerous local businesses or commercial corridors

Bike Share infrastructure | 53

What resources do Philly visitors and residents rely on to get around?

Sources: Better Bike Share Partnership, Equality Forum, Transit App. Google Maps

Bike Philly

| 54

Towards cognitive wayfinding Turn-by-turn

Cognitive wayfinding

Sources: Wayfinding through Orientation (Schwering et al. 2017)

Bike Philly

| 55

How can we maximize the quality and accessibility of information available at an Indego station?

Source: rideindego.com

Bike Philly

| 56

How can we maximize the quality and accessibility of information available at an Indego station?

Source: rideindego.com

Bike Philly

| 57

Source: WHYY

What might this enhanced cycling network look like on the ground in Lower Moyamensing?

Bike Philly

| 58

Bike Philly

| 59

Intervention

Location

Parking separated bike lane

Snyder Ave. between 2rd & Broad Oregon Ave. between 2rd & Broad 4th St. between Oregon & Snyder

What are we recommending on the ground?

Protected intersection

10th & Packer

Activity Based Bike Lane

S 7th St from Snyder Ave to Oregon Ave

Enhanced Indego wayfinding

Mifflin Square Park (Wolf & 5th) Stadium District (Packer & 10th) Oregon & Broad Snyder & Broad

Bike Philly

| 60

Existing Snyder Ave

Protected Bike Lanes are relatively easy to implement!

Potential Snyder Ave

Bike Philly

| 61

What could enhanced Indego wayfinding look like?

Side A: putting you and your location in context

Side B: giving you the confidence to navigate the city’s bicycle network

Bike Philly

| 62

Side A in Detail

Rendering

Precedent: SEPTA Metro

Bicycle and charging icon stands out prominently on top

Area name takes prominence over cross street

Source: planning.septa.org

Bike Philly

| 63

Side A in Detail

Rendering

Precedent: CDMX Metro

Iconography prioritized over English phrases

Directions & time give indications of length and direction of bike ride

Sources: 99% Invisible, Lance Wyman

Bike Philly

| 64

Side B in Detail

Renderings

Subway-style bike map flips traditional road hierarchy

SEPTA Metro branding included to foster bike share & transit connectivity

Bike Philly

| 65

ShopLegacy Philly Showcasing Legacy Businesses & Strategies for Continued Success

Tre Ambroise

In 2026, residents & visitors will visit neighborhood gateways across Philadelphia, with many visiting iconic eateries, shops, and venues. How can the City recognize legacy small businesses in 2026 and leave-in-place long-term strategies to support them?

Photos: Washington Post, Philadelphia Magazine, the Consitutional

Legacy Businesses

are small businesses that have a long & enduring presence within their community and are recognized for their cultural & economic significance.

68

Philadelphia's Living History

Lee’s Deli | 1993 Photos: Inquirer, WHYY, Hidden City, Philadelphia Magazine, J.H Duncan

Giovanni’s Room | 1973

Hakim’s Bookstore | 1950s

Isgro’s | 1904

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400+ Potential Small Legacy Businesses (30+ Yrs) in Philadelphia

33% Of Legacy Businesses are Full-Service Restaurants Legacy Businesses defined as small, “brick & mortar” businesses with less than 50 employees, gross sales less than $5M, & Operations of 30+ Years

Source: ReferenceUSA

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Challenges

Strengths

Changing Consumer Habits & Neighborhoods

Neighborhood Anchors & Landmarks

Rising Expenses & Aging Buildings Lack of Succession & Estate Planning Citywide Awareness

&

Longevity & Adaptability Generational Ownership

| 71

Across America Since 2015, cities across the United States have created legacy business programs that reflect a need to register & offer resources.

Resources Offered

Criteria for Evaluation

Nomination Process | 72

Peer City Programs San Francisco, CA | 2015

Resources

Criteria

Nomination

● ● ● ●

● ● ●

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Promotion of Legacy Business Registry Receives an Award Certificate and Decal Rent Stabilization Grant Educational/Promotional Assistance

Operated 30 years or more Had no break operations for more than 2 years Contributed to history or identity

Council Nominating Process Community Nomination Process

Boston, MA | 2023 ● ● ● ● ●

Targeted Technical Assistance Businesses receive a plaque and a special badge Featured on Boston’s City Digital Program Access to Legacy Business Support Grant Five-minute narrative video featured on social media, the city’s website, and other locations

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Operated for at least 10 years in the same location Contributes to the cultural, historical, and societal asset of a community or neighborhood Business that commits operations in the City

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Council Nominating Process Community Nomination Process

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73

The Opportunity | 74

ShopLegacy Philly ShopLegacy Philly™ is a joint promotional & programming campaign that celebrates Philadelphia's 400+ legacy businesses during the Semiquincentennial & aims to create Philadelphia’s official Legacy Business Program after 2026.

Bike Philly

& Celebrate #1 Promote Commercial Corridors

#2

Avoid Displacement & Commercial Closure

Transition & #3 Support Succession Planning

#4

Foster Connection & Knowledge-Sharing | 75

ShopLegacy Philly ShopLegacy Philly™ is a joint promotional & programming campaign that celebrates Philadelphia's 400+ legacy businesses during the Semiquincentennial & aims to create Philadelphia’s official Legacy Business Program after 2026.

Bike Philly

‘26

Paybook 2026

Legacy Business Program

| 76

Playbook ‘26 In 2026, Philadelphia can showcase local businesses during the FIFA World Cup and Semiquincentennial celebrations, maximizing economic and cultural opportunities.

Bike Philly

Identifying

Storytelling

| 77

‘26 Recommendations 2026 offers the ability to increase the visibility & showcase legacy businesses that have contributed to Philadelphia's distinct identity.

ShopLegacy Month

ShopLegacy at The Christmas Village

Passport 2026 | 78

Photos: Broadway World

Legacy Business Program Envisioning a legacy business program in Philadelphia would primarily center on rebranding existing tools to consider legacy businesses & to consider additional tools to distinctly support legacy businesses.

Bike Philly

Legacy Business Registry

Legacy Business Program

| 79

Pilot Recommendations Timeline

Register = 6-9 Months, Program = 6-9 Months

Designation Process

Pilot Admittance with Open Application & Considers City Council & Community Nominations

Budget

Largely Depends on the type of Incentives Offered by the City of Philadelphia

Office

Department of Commerce | Office of Neighborhood Economic Development

Rebranded Resources Potential Additional Resources

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1-1 Business Support

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Business Coach Program

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Security Camera Program

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Storefront Improvement Program

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InStore Forgivable Loan Program

Legal Assistance

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Rent Stabilization Grant

Networking Events

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Legacy Window Decal

Step To Zero Waste Leveraging the Events of 2026 to Move Toward Zero Waste

Alec Pompeo, Jiahang Li, Samantha Shasanya

Photo: visitphilly.com

Philadelphia set a goal to become a Zero Waste City by 2035. How can the city leverage the events of 2026 to advance that goal? | 82

An Opportunity 2026

city wide events

educate

block parties street festivals zero waste 2035

watch parties

create buy in

legacy parades

leverage

21st century city

Photo: visitphilly.com

| 83

Why Divert Waste?

Zero waste means that at least 90% of waste is diverted away from landfills and incinerators.

Environmental Justice 80% of municipal incinerators are located in Environmental Justice communities*.

2019 Tishman Center Report, US Solid Waste Municipal Incinerators

Climate Change Food waste is responsible for 58% of the methane emitted from municipal landfills.

2023 EPA Report, Quantifying Landfill Emissions

Fiscal Savings Philadelphia spends more than $48 million annually to address illegal dumping and litter.

2019 Keep America Beautiful Report, The Cost of Litter & Illegal Dumping in PA

Bike Philly Census tracts where: (a) the percentage of people living below the federal poverty rate is above 25 percent OR (b) the percentage of people identify as “minority” is above 25 percent

**

| 84

Why Events?

FRAME THE MESSAGE

MAKE IT EASY

CREATE INCENTIVES

BEHAVIOR CHANGE PROVIDE INFORMATION

USE STRATEGIC MOMENTS MODEL Source: HARNESSING BEHAVIOR CHANGE FOR URBAN CLIMATE ACTION

| 85

Does Philly Care About Zero Waste?

Zero Waste & Litter Cabinet

PHL Marathon

Compost Network

Plastic Bag Ban

Source: 2017 Zero Waste and Litter Action Plan, Philadelphia Marathon, Phila.Gov

| 86

What about the World?

It's happening around the world!

Source: UK National Archives, Re-UZ.COM

| 87

Where is the money? $275 million Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Communities

$75 million Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program

$350 million Grants range from $500K - $4M Available FY 2022 - 2026 | 88

Funding Case Studies Baltimore $4M Composting

Austin $4M Reuse Warehouse

New Orleans~$4M Expand Recycling

Stamford $2M Food Waste

Source: Adobe Stock Images

| 89

Vision 2026: A STEP TOWARDS ZERO WASTE

Leave a Zero Waste Legacy Develop recommendations based on the best practices from cities around the world, beginning a lasting legacy of a sustainable Philadelphia.

Zero Waste Events Permanent Waste Diversion Infrastructure

| 90

Recommendations Guiding Principles

Trust

Communication

Fiscal Responsibility

| 91

Recommendations Reestablish the Zero-Waste Litter Cabinet

Implement Actions that Maximize Waste Diversion

Launch an Outreach Campaign

Incentivize Event Organizer Participation

Create Community Jobs at Events

Create Neighborhood Nodes for Waste Diversion

| 92

Recommendations Reestablish the Zero-Waste Litter Cabinet

Implement Actions that Maximize Waste Diversion

Launch an Outreach Campaign

Encourage Event Organizer Participation

Create Community Jobs at Events

Create Neighborhood Nodes for Waste Diversion

| 93

Recommendations

| 94

Recommendation Implement Actions that Maximize Waste Diversion

3-Stream Waste Bins | 95

Recommendation Implement Actions that Maximize Waste Diversion

Source: TAP

TAP App showing the location of those refilling stations | 96

Recommendation Implement Actions that Maximize Waste Diversion

Facilities built from recycled materials | 97

Recommendations Encourage Event Organizer Participation

Actions -

Automatically enroll events with more than 2000 participants Reduce permitting fees for small events that opt-in

Our Goal- Maximize the number of events that participate in going zero-waste

Photo Source: Billy Penn

| 98

Recommendations Create Neighborhood Nodes

Location: Phila 250 Gateways Ownership: City owned lot Lot Size: 10,000 sq ft+ Attachment: Lot detached from residential lots *Community: Neighborhood buy-in

East Parkside | 99

Recommendations Create Neighborhood Nodes

Sources: Good Bottle; CaryNC.GOV

| 100

Eventa Walk Through a Zero Waste Event Take Parkside Ave

Composting Drop-Off and Refillery 41st St

S. Concourse Ave

Avenue of the Republic Source: 2017 Zero Waste and Litter Action Plan

| 101

Take a Walk Through a Zero Waste Event

| 102

Thank you for your time and feedback!

Final Review | December 7, 2023