Philadelphia: A New Urban Direction Second Edition
Office of the City Controller, City of Philadelphia, Foreword by Edward G. Rendell
First Edition
Jonathan A. Saidel, City Controller
Brett H. Mandel, Assistant City Controller
Kevin J. Babyak, Assistant City Controller
David A. Volpe, First Deputy City Controller
Foreword by Edmund N. Bacon
Second Edition
Jonathan A. Saidel, City Controller
Marisa Waxman, Director, Financial and Policy Analysis
Anthony Di Martino, Assistant City Controller
Foreword by Edward G. Rendell
Philadelphia: A New Urban Direction poses the question: What must city government do to make the City of Philadelphia a preferred place to live, work, and play into the next century? Philadelphia City Controller Jonathan Saidel and his associates in the City Controller’s Office treat the reader to an extraordinary insider’s account of the inner workings of city government, utilize sophisticated modeling techniques to present a vision of Philadelphia’s future, and present a plethora of novel ideas for improving the city for the 21st-century. It presents the fullest assessment to date of the overall economic, governmental, and social dynamics shaping Philadelphia and the region; serves as a primer to understanding city government and public policy for citizens, policy professionals, and elected leaders alike; and convincingly demonstrates the interconnectedness of the city and its suburbs.
Philadelphia: A New Urban Direction, Second Edition builds upon the impressive work of the initial publication and presents an update of Philadelphia’s economic, budgetary, and social condition. It tracks the progress of the recommendations for action to improve Philadelphia offered in the first edition. Philadelphia City Controller Jonathan Saidel and his staff explore recent and relevant opportunities and challenges facing the city, such as Homeland Security and Environmental Sustainability. Credible and creative proposals to preserve and enhance the quality-of-life for Philadelphians are advanced to ensure that the city is, and remains to be, a preferred place to live, work, and visit.
Philadelphia: A New Urban Direction received the 1999 “Special Project Award” from the National Association of Local Government Auditors. The unprecedented consideration of the “state of the City” was declared a “must read” for all local government audit professionals. The Philadelphia project, a massive review of the City’s governance, was cited as a fascinating, forward thinking analysis full of clever and convincing arguments and theories, as well as being packed with relevant data.
“With this book, Jonathan Saidel and the Controller’s Office make an important contribution to the debate about the future of Philadelphia and all cities. Through two terms as Mayor, my Administration has moved Philadelphia in the right direction. The concepts and ideas put forth in this book can fuel discussion designed to continue this progress.”
— The Honorable Edward G. Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
“…scholars from a wide range of disciplines have a great deal to learn from this thoughtful and beautifully produced volume which tries to image how Philadelphia can sustain its much vaunted recovery from the 1990s into the new century.…This is a fascinating document at many levels, and not merely for those interested in the specific case of Philadelphia: most of the lessons can be applied to any metropolis.… In summary, this is a valuable contribution to urban history and social science. … an innovative venture.”
— Philip Jenkins, Distinguished Professor of History and Religious Studies, The Pennsylvania State University
“It is refreshing to read an analysis of the issues facing Philadelphia coupled with a charge to its government that it can make a difference. If the city government were to adopt this process as a means of shaping its programs, the results would be truly revolutionary. Saidel’s presentation combines traditional liberal government policies (addressing community needs) with conservative operating assumptions (the city as business) and a communitarian ethic (the government is responsible to the people, and should be evaluated by the quality of its work). What Saidel promises, he provides, in a well-written and engaging style. It should be of interest for all those who are concerned about the future of Philadelphia.”
-— David Bartelt, Professor and Chair, Geography and Urban Studies, Temple University
Philadelphia: A new urban Direction
Table of Contents
List of Tables and figures
Forewords
Prefaces
Introduction—Revolutionizing the
Revolutionary City
Approach and Methodology
Philadelphia’s Future in Context: A Brief History
Chapter 1—Envisioning Philadelphia —Projections and implications for the future
Projecting the Future
City Controller’s Office Projection Philadelphia Outlook 2015: A Forecast of the City and its Economy Forecast Methodology Forecast of Output and Employment Forecast of City Population Forecast of Personal Income of City Residents Implications of a Changing Population Implications of a Changing Economy Implications for a Changing Infrastructure
Second edition Supplement
Projecting the Future
Forecast of Economic Activity
Forecast of Demographics
Implications for the Future
Chapter 2—Creating a Governmental Framework for the Future
Governmental Framework and Philadelphia’s Future
Establishing a Proper Governmental Structure for a Changing World
Creating a Flexible Personnel Structure Creating an Interactive and Accessible Government
Promoting Constant Governmental Improvement
Keeping a Historical City Modern
Second edition Supplement
Establishing a Proper Governmental Structure for a Changing World
Establishing a Flexible Personnel Structure
Creating an Interactive and Accessible Government
Promoting Constant Governmental Improvement
Keeping an Historical City Modern
Ensuring the Public’s Trust
Chapter 3—Fiscal Policy for Philadelphia’s Future
Fiscal Issues and Philadelphia’s Future
Promoting Structural Balance for Fiscal Health
Producing A Sound Taxation Plan
Increasing Collections to Hold Down Tax Increases
Reducing the Cost of Government—Non-Personnel Related Reducing the Cost of Government—Personnel Related
Getting Worth for the City—Generating Revenue
Second edition Supplement
Fiscal Issues and Philadelphia’s Future
Promoting Structural Balance for Fiscal Health
Producing a Sound Taxation Plan
Increasing Collections to Hold Down Tax Increases
Reducing Cost of Government—Non-Personnel Related
Reducing Cost of Government—Personnel Related
Getting Worth for the City—Generating Revenue
Chapter 4—Responding to Specific Urban Challenges
Philadelphia’s Specific Governmental Challenges
Economic Development—Growing Philadelphia into the Future
Education—Creating a System of Public Education for All Philadelphia Families
Housing—Creating a Market for Philadelphia’s Vacant Housing Stock
Law Enforcement—Creating a Safer Philadelphia
Tourism-Related Activities—Showcasing Philadelphia to the World
Transportation—Moving Philadelphia?fs Masses
Second edition Supplement
Economic Development—Growing Philadelphia into the Future
Education—Creating a System of Public Education for all Philadelphia Families
Housing—Creating a Market for Philadelphia?fs Vacant Housing Stock
Law Enforcement—Creating a Safer Philadelphia
Homeland Security—Preparing Philadelphia for Emergencies
Tourism-Related Activities—Showcasing Philadelphia to the World
Transportation—Moving Philadelphia’s Masses
Sustainability—Protecting the Natural and Built Environment in Philadelphia
Chapter 5—The City in the Region—A Declaration of Interdependence
Philadelphia’s Place in the Greater Philadelphia Region
Regional Efforts to Move Toward a More Competitive Region
Regional Cooperation to Confront Fiscal Disparities, Sprawl, and Congestion
Second edition Supplement
Philadelphia’s Place in the Greater Philadelphia Region
Regional Efforts to Move Toward a More Competitive Region
Regional Cooperation to Confront Fiscal Disparities, Sprawl and Congestion
Chapter 6—Conclusion
Toward a Future Philadelphia
21st-Century Philadelphia
Appendix I—Map of the City of Philadelphia
Appendix II—The Structure of the City of Philadelphia Government
Appendix III—Taxation in Philadelphia
Appendix IV—Description of the REMI Model
Selected Bibliography and Subject Index
2005, 408 pages; 70 figures, tables, and maps; bibliography; appendices; index
ISBN: 978-0-916101-5-34 (Paper) $ 38.00