Workshop Recap: #EveryPlaceCounts Philadelphia Design Challenge, Day 1

This week, USDOT and CNU continues the #EveryPlaceCounts Design Challenge in Philadelphia, PA as part of the Secretary's Ladders of Opportunity initiative. Led by national transportation and urban design experts, dozens of local officials, residents, and business owners gathered to build consensus and generate strategies for reconnecting neighborhoods impacted by highway infrastructure. According to the City of Philadelphia:

"Philadelphia’s Vine Street Expressway, or I-676, cuts through the Drexel School of Medicine, Callowhill District, and Chinatown communities. The expressway has long impeded economic investment and access to green space for these neighborhoods along its path. The city aims to produce an aspirational vision for the seven-block focus area from 7th Street and Broad Street, along with a roadmap for further public engagement and an implementation plan."

Here are the highlights and insights from the first day of work:

#EveryPlaceCounts is in #Philadelphia today. Join us → https://t.co/guIKZWQXcV #DOTConnects pic.twitter.com/KnMYcDrvCH

— TransportationGov (@USDOT) July 14, 2016

we r up + running! Opening remarks frm @SecretaryFoxx @PhiladelphiaGov @USDOTFHWA #EveryPlaceCounts @UrbanEngineers pic.twitter.com/U98ir15HwA

— Orla Pease (@Orla_Pease) July 14, 2016

At @USDOTFHWA #EveryPlaceCounts Design Challenge, Clarena Tolson opens, "We are here to move and connect people." pic.twitter.com/qZbopy1uka

— Design Trust (@designtrustnyc) July 14, 2016

"The expressway on Vine Street that divides community is unfortunate..." Connections to DT Under the Elevated Project #EveryPlaceCounts

— Design Trust (@designtrustnyc) July 14, 2016

Repurposing existing infrastructure like #RailPark and now Vine St will help knit our neighborhoods back together again. #EveryPlaceCounts

— LT (@laurencetom) July 14, 2016

Already a rich community discussion in #Philadelphia! #EveryPlaceCounts https://t.co/rmJ8zGEJWC

— Cindy Zerger (@path_as_place) July 14, 2016

Follow our experience at U.S. Department of Transportation's #EveryPlaceCounts design challenge @pcdc_events on... https://t.co/aegaeeljl7

— PCDC (@PCDC_Events) July 14, 2016

Join us, @USDOT, @PennDOTNews, @SEPTA & @PCDC_Events as we plan to #bridgethedivide #EveryPlaceCounts https://t.co/3AZZVT6Xsu

— Pennoni (@Pennoni) July 14, 2016

Even Pokemon know that Vine Street Expressway is dangerous to cross. #pokemongo #everyplacecounts #philadelphia pic.twitter.com/jmusfExQeC

— PCDC (@PCDC_Events) July 14, 2016

Public session for #EveryPlaceCounts "Rethink Vine Street Expressway" is from 5-7pm at @CCCnC

— LT (@laurencetom) July 14, 2016

Great to have Influencers see the unintended consequences of well meaning structures like sound barrier walls on Vine St #EveryPlaceCounts

— LT (@laurencetom) July 14, 2016

Utilitarian. Fortification. Couple of words used to describe the Vine St corridor. #EveryPlaceCounts

— LT (@laurencetom) July 14, 2016

Honored to host #EveryPlaceCounts "Rethink Vine Street Expressway" today. Welcome city thought leaders to @CCCnC!

— CCCnC (@CCCnC) July 14, 2016

We're in Philadelphia with @USDOT helping make sure that #EveryPlaceCounts—starting with the #VineStreetExpwy! pic.twitter.com/w5gkstZ371

— NewUrbanism (@NewUrbanism) July 14, 2016

Follow @Orla_Pease for updates today & tomorrow on the #EveryPlaceCounts event in Philly @SecretaryFoxx @USDOTFHWA https://t.co/bNAqSQmkpt

— Urban Engineers (@UrbanEngineers) July 14, 2016

Thanks for great workshop space & sharing ur local expertise! Powerful walking tour w community. #EveryPlaceCounts https://t.co/DE6IERJsFC

— Cindy Zerger (@path_as_place) July 14, 2016

Working with urban planners and @TheFHWAOnline to help make the #VineStreetExpwy a better place #EveryPlaceCounts pic.twitter.com/9b7O7jz6km

— NewUrbanism (@NewUrbanism) July 14, 2016

Sights, sites, streets, sounds. Vine St walking tour. #EveryPlaceCounts #Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/MrRnCPeNpX

— Cindy Zerger (@path_as_place) July 14, 2016

"The view" cited as a positive of the Vine Street Expressway #USDOT #everyplacecounts… https://t.co/uqGA8RhN3S

— Kelly CG Edwards (@KGsmindgrapes) July 14, 2016

Welcome @PhillyMayor Jim Kenney to #EveryPlaceCounts at @CCCnC!

— LT (@laurencetom) July 14, 2016

#EveryPlaceCounts @PhillyMayor kicking off the public meeting @USDOTFHWA @PhiladelphiaGov @UrbanEngineers pic.twitter.com/kIQ7FrbNaS

— Orla Pease (@Orla_Pease) July 14, 2016

The @PhillyMayor joins in on #EveryPlaceCounts https://t.co/YwbghT7ZDD

— Urban Engineers (@UrbanEngineers) July 14, 2016

Philly is ready to rethink the Vine St Expressway - the "Not-So-Great Wall of Chinatown" #soExcited #EveryPlaceCounts @USDOT @NewUrbanism

— Carrie Sauer (@carriellens) July 14, 2016

"A road is for vehicles, a street is a place" says Peter Park, renowned planner + Man Who Gets It #EveryPlaceCounts @NewUrbanism @USDOT

— Carrie Sauer (@carriellens) July 14, 2016

Together, we're developing ideas to reconnect communities currently separated by Vine Street EXPY #EveryPlaceCounts pic.twitter.com/5zgYPWHpNp

— Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) July 14, 2016

Shout out to @kenallenray, working hard to help transform the Vine St Expressway in Philly #EveryPlaceCounts https://t.co/7BGMW8j8uc

— Toole Design Group (@tooledesign) July 14, 2016