Project 2 Urban dynamics (1)

.docx

School

Temple University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

0861

Subject

Geography

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by MegaFogDove41

Marian Pena I am an Urban Development Analyst working for the Director of the Planning and Development Department for the City of Philadelphia. In this capacity, I have evaluated the proposed Sixers Arena project and have made a recommendation regarding its feasibility and potential benefits for the city. Recommendation: I recommend that the Planning Department proceed with the Sixers Arena project. While acknowledging the concerns and protests from certain community groups, I believe that with careful planning and collaboration, this project can bring prosperity and be beneficial to the entire city. My recommendation is based on the following key points: 1. Economic Boost: The downtown arena project has the potential to stimulate economic growth, revitalize underutilized areas, and provide opportunities for local businesses. 2. Public Infrastructure: The proposed arena location offers excellent access to public transportation and is well-situated in terms of highways, parking facilities, dining, and residential areas. 3. Youthful Fan Base: The Sixers' fan base, which skews toward younger and city-dwelling supporters, aligns with the concept of a downtown arena. 4. No Taxpayer Contribution: The commitment from the Sixers' ownership to fund the project without taxpayer contributions is a positive financial aspect. 5. Successful Examples in Other Cities: The success of downtown arenas in other cities, such as the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, serves as a model for Philadelphia.

6. Community Benefits Agreement: The project can be an opportunity to develop a comprehensive Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) that addresses the concerns raised by Chinatown activists. Philadelphia's Center City boasts a rich history marked by urban development initiatives aimed at revitalizing and enhancing the city's core. To provide context for my recommendation regarding the Sixers Arena project, it is crucial to delve into the history of Center City and extract the elements that support my position. Center City Philadelphia has evolved through multiple urban renewal projects, including those orchestrated by renowned city planner Edmund Bacon in the 1960s and 70s. Bacon's vision for Center City involved creating a comprehensive plan that sought to transform Market East, which is where the proposed Sixers Arena is planned. Over the years, Market East has faced a series of unsuccessful attempts at invigoration, which underscores the need for a well-conceived development project. These past initiatives, such as the establishment of the suburban mall, aimed to revitalize Market East, mirroring the current proposal's intention to rejuvenate the area with the Sixers Arena. While earlier attempts may not have achieved their desired goals, they provide valuable lessons and insights that can be applied to the new project. The city's history of grappling with urban development and its unfulfilled potential should serve as a motivating factor to address community concerns and strive for a more inclusive and successful outcome with the Sixers Arena project.

This graph clearly depicts the changes in revenue for each tax category, with bars representing each type of tax. The vertical axis shows the revenue in millions of dollars, while the horizontal axis represents the tax categories. The upward direction of most bars, especially in categories like Wage Tax, Business Income and Receipts Tax, and Real Estate Transfer Tax, indicates a positive trend of increasing revenue. The exceptions, such as the slight decrease in Real Estate Tax and the more substantial decrease in Net Profits Tax, are also highlighted. This visual representation reinforces the argument that the city's financial performance has generally improved over the specified fiscal years. It supports the case for continued urban development, such as the construction of the Sixers Arena, as a means to enhance the city's economic well- being and prosperity. While this graph doesn't provide a direct comparison to displacement in D.C., it demonstrates the potential for economic benefits associated with development projects like a new stadium in a city.

I recommend moving forward with the construction of the Sixers Arena in Philadelphia's Center City. This recommendation is rooted in a careful analysis of the potential benefits, a consideration of urban development principles, and an awareness of the cognitive biases, including anchoring and confirmation bias, that can influence decision-making. The proposed Sixers Arena has the potential to bring numerous advantages to Philadelphia. The arena promises to inject new life into Market East, an area that has struggled with economic stagnation for years. It aligns with the city's history of urban redevelopment initiatives, as evidenced by the successful transformations of other neighborhoods like Old City and Northern Liberties. These revitalization efforts not only boosted the local economy but also created vibrant public spaces and increased public safety. The new arena can extend these positive outcomes to Market East, creating a bustling, safe, and inclusive space for residents and visitors alike. The Sixers' commitment to building the arena without requesting public funding demonstrates a responsible approach to development, making it a financially sustainable project. The site's unmatched access to public transit and the potential to repurpose an existing entertainment asset further support the project's merit. The arena will not only serve as a hub for basketball fans but also offer opportunities for diverse events and activities, thus benefiting a wider audience and contributing to the overall vibrancy of Center City. However, it is essential to acknowledge the existence of cognitive biases in evaluating this project. Anchoring bias can lead people to place undue importance on the first piece of information they encounter. In this context, it's crucial to resist the temptation to anchor our perspective solely on past unsuccessful development attempts in Market East. Instead, we should focus on the potential for a well-executed arena project to break this pattern and catalyze positive change. Confirmation bias, the tendency to seek out information that supports our preconceived

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help