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Urban Planning

Why aren’t America’s national roadways working?
Traffic from New Jersey to Philadelphia.

Professor of city and regional planning Erick Guerra recently published a book exploring the economic and societal impacts of American highways. He explains some of the pitfalls associated with an ever-expansive highway system, arguing that spending more on highways might not be the solution to the country’s transportation issues.

(Image: Courtesy of Getty / peeterv)

Why aren’t America’s national roadways working?

Penn urban planner Erick Guerra’s new book, “Overbuilt,” argues that additional spending on building more highways might not be the solution to the country’s transportation issues. In a Q&A, Guerra shares his insights.

4 min. read

Why rental support works
Vincent Reina and Sara Jaffee.

“You’re seeing a dramatic improvement in housing stability outcomes,” says Vincent Reina, pictured with Sara Jaffee.

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Why rental support works

Cash assistance drastically reduces tenants’ likelihood of eviction and homelessness, according to an ongoing study of the PHLHousing+ program from Weitzman’s Vincent Reina and Arts & Sciences’ Sara Jaffee.

From the Weitzman School of Design

2 min. read

Students test one way to combat extreme heat in Philadelphia
Nafisa Bangura (left) and Angelica Dadda (right) doing hands-on experimental work in the Composto Lab.

Nafisa Bangura (left) and Angelica Dadda (right) examine CoolSeal-treated asphalt bricks in the Composto Lab to better understand how this coating behaves in controlled environments.

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Students test one way to combat extreme heat in Philadelphia

Third-year students Nafisa Bangura and Angelica Dadda expanded upon a multidisciplinary research endeavor to evaluate a reflective pavement coating as a tool to mitigate extreme heat. Their work may inform policy efforts to improve urban heat resilience.

4 min. read

Penn receives $10M to strengthen urban research locally and globally
Aerial view of Penn and Philadelphia.

The gift to Penn’s Institute for Urban Research will support a co-director position and a postdoctoral fellowship, enhancing the Institute’s ability to address timely urban opportunities and challenges. 

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Penn receives $10M to strengthen urban research locally and globally

The funds will support the Institute for Urban Research’s advancement of research, education, and policy solutions for cities.

2 min. read

Penn launches new MSD program in Property Development and Design for practicing architects and designers

Penn launches new MSD program in Property Development and Design for practicing architects and designers

The Weitzman School’s MSD-PDD degree is a new post-professional program tailored for architects, landscape architects, and planners looking to lead in the fast-evolving real estate development sector. It expands on the School’s Real Estate Design and Development Certificate to offer a more immersive academic experience and robust credential.