Two great groups in Philadelphia

1. Fairmount Park Art Association.

The Fairmount Park Art Association is the nation's first private, nonprofit organization dedicated to integrating public art and urban planning. Founded in 1872, the Art Association commissions, interprets, and preserves public art in Philadelphia. This web site contains information about the history and programs of the Art Association, a map and descriptions of over 100 works of public art in Philadelphia, as well as tips for researching public art in Philadelphia and other cities.

2. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

Everyone's probably heard of the Philadelphia Flower Show, which this organization sponsors. But they also sponsor the Philadelphia Green project, which has laid out a "Green City Strategy" which is "built upon the organization’s extensive experience in urban greening, calls for significant improvements to the city’s open spaces as a means to attract new residents and investment. It also addresses the problem of vacant land and promotes a citywide vacant land greening and management system. The Strategy involves an array of partners, including residents, community organizations, government, businesses, and other service agencies.

The City of Philadelphia has formally adopted the Green City Strategy as the cornerstone of its anti-blight campaign, known as the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative."*

* I hate the demolition of historic buildings aspect of NTI. I raised this at the opening session of the Urban Forum (the LISC sponsored meeting for urban commercial district revitalization prorams, I would like to go this year, but I can't afford it), held in Philadelphia in October 2003. Since then I have been hearing/reading that the city is backing off the demolition angle more...

____________ There are tons of resources within these websites. Both are listed in the Community Revitalization Links section.