Based on earlier recommendations, I took in Philly on the Fourth. Yes, I was impressed. Center City is as ideal a downtown as you can get -- small, walkable blocks and relatively narrow streets. Squares and plazas that people actually enjoy (JFK Plaza was a scene to behold, with the fountain, Robert Indiana's LOVE sculpture, and the awesome vista of Benjamin Franklin Parkway). Sufficient sidewalk space. Districts with real personality differences. Mixed-use throughout, with first-floor retail and restaurants that are topnotch. Good public transportation.
What I found myself marveling at the most, though, was the juxtaposition of the old and the new. The Liberty Place towers cap the city nicely -- a nice update from former star City Hall. Philadelphia does adaptive re-use as well as any city I've seen. My favorite example is the Banana Republic store on Broad St. Housed in the former Manufacturer's and Banker's Club, it's columns make the building look really like a seat of government.
Once again, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway was truly awe-inspiring. Makes me want to fight in the next heavyweight bout.
Seeing it all made me wonder: how did Philly avoid the destruction of Urban Renewal? Or if it didn't, how did it recover? How does it manage to turn back market forces that dictate larger blocks for larger buildings?
What I found myself marveling at the most, though, was the juxtaposition of the old and the new. The Liberty Place towers cap the city nicely -- a nice update from former star City Hall. Philadelphia does adaptive re-use as well as any city I've seen. My favorite example is the Banana Republic store on Broad St. Housed in the former Manufacturer's and Banker's Club, it's columns make the building look really like a seat of government.
Once again, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway was truly awe-inspiring. Makes me want to fight in the next heavyweight bout.
Seeing it all made me wonder: how did Philly avoid the destruction of Urban Renewal? Or if it didn't, how did it recover? How does it manage to turn back market forces that dictate larger blocks for larger buildings?