Value Session Results

In December 2006, a series of three Value Sessions was held in neighborhoods along the Central Delaware Waterfront in Philadelphia. Hundreds of neighbors turned out to particpate and forge a set of values that expressed their feelings for their neighborhoods and the river.

Here are the values that emerged:

December 11th, Kensington

1. Safety - children can play outside, you can walk in the neighborhood

2. Family values - small businesses that thrive, places to worship, locally owned businesses

3. Easy access - you can walk or bike or bus to it

4. Diversity - ethnic, lifestyle, multi-generational, economic, diversity of uses, architecture

5. Open space and green space – public spaces, playing spaces

6. History – existing neighborhoods, old buildings, old architecture. Historic identities

7. Jobs – river related and ports related jobs. Jobs for youth

8. Green technology – work with the environment

9. The plan – looking for something that protects the values already mentioned

10. Recreation – using water and land where they meet. Recreation for families

11. Affordable housing – for seniors

December 13th, South Philadelphia

1. Valueing greenspace, open space

2. Sustaining the industrial port

3. Quality jobs on the waterfront are the economic engine for the city

4. Safety comes with traffic control, crime control, no fear, public transit

5. Sense of community that starts in the neighborhoods

6. Neighborhoods protect and enhance community as a whole

7. Protect the history, the traditions, the Mummers Parade

8. How schools and churches fit into the waterfront as icons

9. Appreciate the diversity of economics, ethnicity, culture in our neighborhoods

10.Get our arms around the long-term solutions vs. short term solutions

December 14th, Center City

1. Walk-ability - green space, the human scale, to walk without interruption, satellite parking

2. Safety - people on street, lighting, police protection, no slots barns

3. Ecological protection - green space, sewage, runoff control, green LEED construction

4. Big Sky - green space vision, broad sight lines, public access to river’s edge, low lying buildings, density, open space

5. Diversity - cultural, economic, generational, ethnic, activity, occupational, business, ecological

6. Historic preservation - our past

7. River itself - recreation, industry, open space, drinking water, touch-ability, contemplation, history, dredging, no dredging

8. Integration of river with rest of the city

9. Community – civic engagement

10.Tension between the working river and pretty "playing" river