The Park of a Thousand Pieces
Penn Praxis has a plan for adding 500 acres of open green space to Philadelphia in the next four years. Their approach, informed by novel research by Penn scholars in areas ranging from real-estate economics to criminology, is a new way of imagining urban parkland.
Penn Fights the Civil War
As soldiers on the battlefield or doctors in military hospitals, Penn alumni and faculty played remarkable roles in the nation’s bloodiest conflict—serving both North and South.
Designing Men
Alumni firm KieranTimberlake’s London embassy.
Creating a New Museum for a Venerable History
Gwen Goodman Ed’56 led the NMAJH to Independence Mall.
Momma Knows Best
Ruth Eni Ed’45 GEd’46 is “Momma Dietz.”
Abele Honored
A mural and new neighborhood park in southwest Center City named in Abele’s honor.
Bones Beneath the Tracks
In the summer of 1832, 57 Irish laborers died suddenly while building the first railroad in Pennsylvania. Alumnus Bill Watson and a host of other Penn people have been trying to find out what really happened. And they’re getting close.
How to Save a City in 20 Years or Less
Fels consultant John Kromer on how to fix broken cities.
A Wordslinger Takes on a Gunslinger—and Other Cultural Pursuits
Dan Rottenberg C’64 still believes in journalism.
Seeking the Many Styles of Philadelphia
Styles of the city. Philadelphia Originals
How Their Gardens Grow
Netter Center for Community Partnerships opens a new garden at West Philadelphia High School.
New Leader Brings a “Unique Set of Skills” to University City District
New UCD Director Matthew Bergheiser WG’96
1,700 Mayors for a Day
Building the “muscles of citizenship”
Leading the Parade
David Montgomery C’68 WG’70
Bistro Days
A Chinese Jersey Girl in search of American cuisine.
The Education of Helen Gym
Helen Gym C’93 GEd’96
The Man Who Would Never Be Mayor
In the race for Philadelphia’s top job, Michael Nutter W’79 was dismissed as the candidate without a constituency. His journey from last place to landslide victory had the markings of a political miracle. Now the public expects more.
Old School Politics
Window, Jan|Feb 2008
Channeling the Schuylkill
“That’s the thing about this river: You have to imagine it to see.”
Art and the City
The role of the arts in a good life—and a great city.
Next Stop: City Hall?
Philadelphia’s (likely) next mayor Michael Nutter W’79.
Mr. Olin’s Neighborhood
One of the most acclaimed landscape architects of his generation, the School of Design’s Laurie Olin has helped remake Penn’s campus, reclaim New York’s Bryant Park, and resurrect Independence Mall. Now he has joined forces with architect Frank Gehry to boldly reinvent the heart of Brooklyn. No urban development project in American history compares to their $4 billion vision. No wonder the locals are restless.
Getting Fresh with Food
Alumni bring fresh food options to Philadelphia’s poor.
Smokeless Smoke’s?
Smokeless Joe’s