Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR), the Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, & Sustainability (OTIS), and international design firm, Design Workshop, announce the launch of the Reimagine the Benjamin Franklin Parkway planning effort. The process, in partnership with the Parkway Council, will last 18 months and will work with the community on creating a world-class public realm plan for people-centric, permanent changes to dramatically improve the appeal, use, traffic safety, functionality, and beauty of the Parkway. In October 2021, Design Workshop was selected from 18 internationally renowned design teams to lead the project to design a more welcoming, pedestrian-friendly Parkway.

The public will be invited to provide feedback during each of four major phases and milestones. All phases of the planning process will include a combination of in-person and digital engagement opportunities. The purpose of this first engagement campaign during the summer is to share information about the project, and hear from the community their vision for the Parkway.

Design Workshop's Initiatives 

On the evening of June 21, 2022, the public was invited to attend a lecture and panel discussion with design and planning experts about the Parkway and other similar projects around the world that seek to develop sustainable, desirable, and inclusive cities.

This work adds to the ongoing conversations about the future of the Parkway, and how Design Workshop can connect with Philadelphians to help set the framework that will guide the reimagining of the space.

View the recording of the public event here.