With a residential housing boom in Center City and the prospect of at least one, and possibly two casinos proposed along the water's edge, the seven-mile riverfront stretch between Allegheny and Oregon Avenues is facing intense development pressures. Decisions made now will have tremendous impact on the social, economic, cultural, and environmental future of our city and region.

To ensure that the people of Philadelphia share in the decision-making processes about this important asset, the city of Philadelphia, has asked PennPraxis -- the clinical outreach arm of the School of Design at Penn -- to lead a transparent, community-driven civic engagement process leading to a clear vision for a 21st Century riverfront, befitting a world-class city.

With a $1.6 million grant by the Foundation, PennPraxis will use its significant experience in civic engagement and community design to facilitate an open, public process that helps Philadelphians to articulate their aspirations for their riverfront. Then, some of the world's finest urban planners will take this vision and create recommendations for design principles that the city of Philadelphia will use to manage development along the river.

Community-based neighborhood groups will help to guide the process, serving on the project's advisory board.  The city of Philadelphia, through the resources of its Planning Commission and other agencies, will be an important partner in the process.

Residents of Philadelphia are especially encouraged to participate throughout the process. A web site -- www.planphilly.com -- has been established to serve as a vehicle for those who wish to engage in this effort to shape a critical piece of our region's future.