The Downtown Dynamic: Creating a Sense of Place & Possibilities
Featuring Prema Gupta and Patrick Morgan
Open Streets, a car-free roads initiative from Center City District (CCD) for pedestrians to shop, dine, and play | Photo courtesy of CCD
Urban Strategy in the Present Tense is a conversation series featuring notable urbanists discussing their frontline work in urban resilience, as well as sharing their insights about public policymaking, urban problem solving, and life in Philadelphia.
This installment of our conversation series featured Prema Gupta, President and CEO of Center City District and Patrick Morgan, Distinguished Resident Fellow for Civic Design at the Lindy Institute. Read about them below.
The series is produced by the Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation at Drexel University in partnership with the Urban Strategy Masters Program in Drexel's Westphal College of Media, Arts & Design.
Prema Katari Gupta is the President & CEO of the Center City District (CCD) and executive director of the Central Philadelphia Development Corporation, overseeing all aspects of CCD's planning, strategy, operations and economic development efforts. She has leadership experience in public-private real estate development and place-making with past roles at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, PIDC and University City District. She received a bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College, a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Design and a certificate in real estate development from The Wharton School.
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Patrick Morgan is a Distinguished Resident Fellow for Civic Design and teaches in Drexel's Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. Previously, he was 1st Deputy Commissioner of Strategy & Engagement with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, leading its first strategic plan and key initiatives like Reimagining the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Greenworks 2.0. As Program Director for the Knight Foundation, he managed a $26 million portfolio of community-focused grants. Earlier, he served in Mayor Nutter's administration as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community Resources and as an Assistant Managing Director.