DVRPC is taking applications for their Fellowship Program! Click through for the full posting.
https://apapase.org/job/dvrpc-fellowship-program/
APA – Planning During a Pandemic: 6 Resources for Planners
APA has put together a list of tools for planners on planning.org.
Tools available include:
Category: General /
March 12: Section Council Meeting – UPDATE – Remote Only
APA PA SE will be having a section council meeting at 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM on March 12.
The call in number is:
1-866-499-7054
Code: 7352890020
Category: General /
Thursday, March 5th: Launch of Greater Philadelphia’s new transit coalition: Transit Forward Philadelphia
You are cordially invited to the launch of Transit Forward Philadelphia, a member led coalition of organizations and individuals that have come together to advocate for a safer, more accessible, equitable, and sustainable transit network across Southeastern Pennsylvania. This event is open to the public and the announcement will be an opportunity to learn about why this group of organizations has joined together to fight for better transit, what SEPTA and the Kenney administration want to accomplish, and how everyone—transit riders, community organizations, and residents—who want to improve public transit in Philadelphia and its suburbs can join this fight alongside us.
On Thursday, March 5th from 5:30PM – 7:30PM at Azavea (990 Spring Garden, 5th Floor) Transit Forward Philadelphia will be hosting an open house with our new Transit Coalition organizer Yasha Zarrinkelk, who will discuss the principles and priorities that brought together this coalition, and the opportunities we see to improve our public transit network, and increase access to jobs, housing, and opportunities through the Philadelphia region, while making the system fairer in the process.
There will be a panel discussion and Q&A portion featuring representatives from SEPTA and the City to discuss the steps that officials are taking to strengthen our network and improve service for all Philadelphians. Transit Forward Philadelphia is pleased to welcome the following guest speakers:
- Leslie Richards, General Manager of SEPTA
- Chris Puchalsky, Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for City of Philadelphia’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (oTIS)
- Helen Gym, City Council Member at Large for the City of Philadelphia
With important upcoming decisions about SEPTA’s fare policies, the forthcoming bus network redesign and trolley modernization initiatives, and looming funding challenges, it’s more important than ever to come together and support better mobility and access for Philadelphia and Southeast PA families. We take great inspiration from transit advocates in cities across the country who have successfully organized transit riders and community organizations to win faster, more reliable service, fair fare policies, and sustainable transit funding, and we look forward to building a powerful voice for transit here in Philadelphia.
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, March 5th at 5:30PM at Azavea! Please RSVP here.
Category: Upcoming Events /
March 7: Vision Zero for Philadelphia Conference
Saturday, March 7th 2020 – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
at Temple University Student Center South
hosted by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia
For six years, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia’s Vision Zero Conference has been bringing leaders and expert voices from around the Delaware Valley and the country into Philadelphia for a day of talks, panels, and workshops.
This year, the Bicycle Coalition’s 2020 Vision Zero Conference, presented by Lyft, will both reflect upon the progress made in Philadelphia and the region, and discuss the accelerated speed at which progress over the next four years will need to proceed to make Philadelphia’s roadways safe for all.
This year’s speakers range from New York City’s Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, Deputy Managing Director Michael Carroll, Philadelphia Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams, Zabe Bent of the National Association of City Transportation Officials and many others. Mayor Jim Kenney will make remarks at the end of the day.
Category: Upcoming Events /
2020 Annual Conference Call for Presenters!
Call for Presenters is now open!
Proposals are being accepted online only via the Chapter website. The deadline to submit a presentation proposal is Friday, March 6.The conference committee is seeking traditional and non-traditional sessions. For complete details see the Call for Presenters
Conference Date and Location:
October 18-20, 2020
Hilton Scranton
100 Adams Ave, Scranton PA 18503
Questions:
If you have any questions, please email Kim Gusic at
Category: General /
Feb. 28: PBCD Philadelphia Networking Mixer
Come network, socialize and converse with Black Urban Planning Professionals in the Philadelphia Area at our networking mixer event. Planners, Elected Officials, Engineers, Students and others are welcome.
Date And Time
Fri, February 28, 2020
5:00 PM – 7:30 PM EST
Location
Tir na nÓg
1600 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Category: Upcoming Events /
2019 Annual Event Recap
Southeast Section Hosts 2019 Annual Event on Housing
On Thursday, November 14, 2019, the Southeast Section held their yearly event, bringing together about 30 planners from Philadelphia and the region – including private sector, public sector, and students – to network and share ideas. The event was held in the historic MAAS building in the revitalizing Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. The building, originally built in 1859 as the Charles Maas Brewery, later became a trolley car repair shop for the 
Girard Street trolley line. After falling into disrepair in the late twentieth century, the building was recently revitalized using reclaimed materials and modern technology to serve as an arts and events space. The venue’s varied past and recent revitalization (as well as its cozy size) made it an appropriate setting for discussing the topic of sustainable architecture and housing trends.
Justin Dula, Chair of the Southeast Section, welcomed attendees and announced that this would be his last event as Section Chair before turning the position over to current Vice Chair Alexis Williams in January. Rebecca Ross of the Delaware County Planning Department introduced the speakers and moderated discussion at the end of the presentations. Robert Fleming, architect and Founding Director and Professor of the Sustainable Design Program at Thomas Jefferson University, started with a broad overview of the need for sustainable design and the challenge of convincing the public of its value. In his presentation, Professor Fleming emphasized that he believes sustainability lies at the intersection of People, Profit, Planet, and Place. This is an update to the triple-bottom line concept, suggesting the role that quality design can play in sustainable development. The next speaker was Stephanie Sena, the Founder and Executive Director of Student-Run Emergency Housing Unit of Philadelphia (SREHUP) a non-profit homeless shelter operating since 2011, and The Breaking Bread Community, an affordable Housing Initiative, which builds houses, community centers, community gardens, and art installations for people in poverty and their pets. She spoke about her organizations and her most recent project to build “cozy cottages” at affordable prices for formerly homeless individuals. Finally, Brett Madsen spoke on the challenges of permitting innovative housing projects – such as tiny homes – under the current Philadelphia code and permitting process. Brett is a licensed expediter with years of experience in Philadelphia, and his firm, Permit Philly, manages the Philadelphia permit process for clients from the first call to the issuance of the certificate. Speaker presentations are available here and a shared album of event photos can be found here (feel free to add yours if you attended!).
The presentations rounded off with a panel discussion with questions from the audience. While mingling and networking, attendees also enjoyed gourmet snacks and desserts from Seedling and Sage catering. Student architectural works from the Charter High School for Architecture and Design (CHAD) were on display for the viewing (and tactile!) enjoyment of the attendees. It was another successful event to wrap up an exciting year of planning in Southeast PA!
Category: Recent Events /
Open Funding Opportunities
Community Conservation Partnership Program Grants
More Information: https://www.brcgrants.dcnr.pa.gov/
Deadline: April 22, 2020
DCNR is accepting applications for its Community Conservation Partnerships Program grants. The 2020 grant application round opened January 15 and will close April 22. Funds can support projects such as:
- Planning, acquisition, and development of public parks
- Trail planning and construction
- River conservation and access
- Open space conservation
- Streamside tree planting
Applicants should contact their Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Regional Advisor to discuss project ideas and application requirements prior to submitting. To apply for a grant, please use the DCNR Grants Customer Service Portal.
Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant
More Information: https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Land/Waste/Recycling/Municipal-Resources/FinancialAssistance/Pages/default.aspx
Application deadline: April 24, 2020
Contact: mvottero@pa.gov, 717-787-7382
These grants of up to $200,000 provide assistance to eligible nonprofit organizations such as shelters and food banks for proper food management. “Access to fresh food in underserved communities is a public health and quality of life issue, but it’s also an environmental justice issue. While traveling across the state, my staff and I often hear from underserved communities that access to fresh food is a significant concern, so we wanted to do our part to address this issue in a meaningful, environmentally focused way,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. The grant application deadline is April 24, 2020.
Economic Impact Initiative Grants
More Information: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/economic-impact-initiative-grants
Purpose
Economic Impact Initiative Grants provide funding to assist in the development of essential community facilities in rural communities that have extreme unemployment and severe economic depression.
An essential community facility is one that provides an essential service to the local community, is needed for the orderly development of the community, serves a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial, or business undertakings.
Examples of essential community facilities include:
- Healthcare: hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities
- Public Facilities: city/town/village halls, courthouses, airport hangers, street improvements
- Community Support Services: child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds, transitional housing
- and more
Eligibility
Public bodies, federally-recognized tribes, and nonprofit organizations in eligible rural areas may apply.
Eligible rural areas must meet specific criteria:
- Cities, villages, townships, and federally-recognized tribal lands with no more than 20,000 residents
- Unemployment rate for the service area is greater than 19.5%
Median household income of the service area is below 90% of the state non-metropolitan median household income
Category: General /
April 4 – AICP Exam Prep Session
Save the Date: The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association is once again holding an all-day AICP exam prep session on Saturday, April 4 from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. This will be held at the Giant Community Center (2300 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg PA 17110).
The session will review the content outline of the AICP exam and provide details on the different content areas. Questions are encouraged throughout the day. PA chapter members can attend for free and non-members pay $35.
Category: Upcoming Events /
