Streets As Places - Nate Hommel / West Philadelphia

If we can't say yes, how can we say maybe.
In this conversation with Nate Hommel, Director of Planning and Design for the University City District in Philadelphia we discuss how we can work together to reach that MAYBE.
During the COVID-19 pandemic he served a an expert advisor to the City of Philadelphia to develop the Pandemic Outdoor Dining Guidelines for the entire city in 2020.  Aligning his practice with Mike Lydon's belief in "renderings in real-time," Nate talks us through some of his non-permanent trials to give restaurants a chance at survival amidst the pandemic.
Episode Notes:
When informing the public about projects and only 6 people turn up ... you need to ask yourself, why?
- Did we fund and provide childcare during the meeting?
- Did we provide a meal?
- We're participants paid for their time and expert opinions?
As the city we have a responsibility to try or best to keep businesses open.  And sometimes this can mean taking care of the red tape stuff, while also finding creative solutions to allow people to share their opinion.  
In this iterative trial process we might ask citizens to fix something because in inhibits access or is dangerous, but we can try our best not to punish.
We also need to think of all the languages that are spoken by different owners, and consistently ensure we are searching for opportunities to maintain an equitable lens towards our solutions.  In this cast the weekly zoom meeting created by a council member allow a restaurant working group to be a space to share raw lived experience and work together across expertise towards shared solutions.
It is a beautiful thing when something can happen and residents understand and accept that the first time around it may not be perfect.

William H Whytes' Social Life of Small Urban Spaces video 
City of Philadelphia Temporary Sidewalk Cafe License Application 
2022 State of University City Report 
The Philadelphia Citizen article