Through the Lindy Institute, the Civic Design Studio tackles pressing civic design infrastructure challenges in Philadelphia and the surrounding region while advocating for robust civic design policies. Initiatives include developing plans, crafting research white papers, convening design charrettes, hosting community forums, and facilitating stakeholder working groups. This leverages the Lindy Institute’s in-house expertise and well-established outside partnerships. It also cultivates additional collaborations and develops new positions to deliver on these civic design initiatives. Projects would be in line with similar past endeavors like A Civic Vision for the Central Delaware, Visioning the Reuse of The Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery Complex, and Reimagining the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. 

A Civic Design Studio for the Philadelphia region is an ideal avenue of growth for the Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation. Lindy has strong and diverse expertise in urban planning, architecture, municipal finance, and research. The Institute often serves as a conduit between communities, organizations, and policymakers, bringing a non-partisan and holistic approach to its initiatives. The development of Civic Design Studio allows Lindy to employ and expand on its expertise, influence, and collaborative approach to problem-solving. Furthermore, Lindy’s unique position within Drexel University offers the potential to connect this work with the knowledge and skills of faculty and students.  

The Civic Design Studio reflects a desire to be a leader in fostering a more livable, sustainable, and equitable Philadelphia while respecting community identities and aspirations. The focus should also be on the need to bring together local communities, design professionals, leaders, and policymakers. Outcomes should present innovative solutions, foster collaboration, and be both impactful and inspirational - creating a legacy of lasting impacts on Philadelphia and the region. The Civic Design Studio should ultimately reflect a commitment to functional, attractive, and resilient design, active stakeholder engagement, creative and innovative solutions, positive change through advocacy, and leveraging collaboration, partnerships, and Drexel’s faculty and students. The Civic Design Studio’s work is based on its position as a neutral party and an honest broker.