THE PROBLEM
In the June 22 edition of the Inquirer, Inga Saffron reports on an outrageous taking of the public sidewalk by a private developer on the 1300 block of South Street (click here to read).  Unfortunately, it appears to be part of a pattern of disrespect for the public realm - and this in the city that prides itself on its walkability!  We have all seen it and experienced it - whether in the form of permanent construction, street furniture, utility meters, sidewalk vendors or temporary construction closures.

Photo Courtesy of Stephen Playo

Some of these are the result of official review and permitting, others of random, unannounced acts.  Some are legal and some are not.  Some are necessary, even desirable, and some are annoying, even unsafe.  In a thriving city, there will always be pressure on the sidewalks to fulfill a variety of public and private functions.  Maybe, that pressure is a measure of the vitality, safety and desirablility of the public realm.

Or maybe, it is another indication that we haven't quite outgrown our bad 'atty-tood'; that we are not ready to take control of the sidewalks back from individuals who see it as an asset for their private gain; that we are not ready to demand that the broader interests of the walking public be served first; that no public agency is actually looking out for our sidewalks!

One thing is clear.  We, the public, have to create the demand for 'doing it right'.  But before we can do that, we have to understand more thoroughly what 'doing it right' means. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can protest the taking of the sidewalk on South Street. With new capabilities on our website, courtesy of PlanPhilly and NPower, you can sign an electronic letter that will be sent to public officials. Click here to go directly to the letter, or click here to first view the photographs posted and decide for yourself.

You can also help us build a portfolio of how our sidewalks get used and misused. Just send an email to dagadvocacy@gmail.com with the word "Sidewalks" in the subject line, and give us examples.  Tell us what is working and what is not working.  Attach a photograph if you can.  We will use this portfolio as part of a larger advocacy campaign to take back our sidewalks!