Earlier this month, Harvard's Graduate School of Design hosted "The Philadelphia Story: Planning, Politics and Reality," a panel discussion led by Loeb fellow and Philadelphia Inquirer architecture critic Inga Saffron. The Philadelphia Water Department's Glen Abrams, Manager of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, joined Mayor Michael Nutter and others to examine Philadelphia's planning achievements and challenges in recent years. Among the positive developments highlighted were, of course, the Green City, Clean Waters plan to manage stormwater runoff. Saffron wrote in a blog post:

"So many plans have been produced in the last four years that it’s sometimes hard to understand how they fit together. So it was a revelation when Glen Abrams produced a single slide that explained the relationships. It depicted the reports as planets revolving around – what else? – the city's ambitious Greenworks sustainability plan. Together with Parks and Rec, the department also developed another plan, Green2015, to create a green park in every neighborhood – 500 acres all told. Along with greening streets and other hard surfaces, it will help the city to avoid spending $10 billion on a network of pipes, which would be a lot money down the drain."

For another perspective on the panel discussion read Ashley Hahn's post on PlanPhilly's Eyes On The Street blog.

Stormwater bumpouts at Queen Lane in East Falls

According to a recent newsletter published by Bloomberg New Energy Finance—the clean-energy investment arm of the independent analysis/data firm—green stormwater infrastructure can grow more than just plants. With tighter stormwater regulations on the horizon and more U.S. cities committing to green infrastructure solutions, market growth is happening as well. The Nov. 23 newsletter ("US Stormwater Programme Poised For Green Growth") claims that investors in green infrastructure systems could see long-term growth; nationwide, we're already spending nearly $1 billion a year. It also highlights Philadelphia's Green City, Clean Waters plan:

"On completion, the program will achieve a reduction in annual pollution discharge equivalent to that which would be attained through the capture and treatment of 85% of Philadelphia's combined sewage output. It therefore offers a significant cost saving versus an entirely grey approach which, according to the PWD, would cost up to $10 billion and would require the construction of a vast underground storage system, as well as expansion of the combined sewer network.

Philadelphia's Green City, Clean Waters program is expected to be replicated many times over the next few decades."

The Schuylkill Action Network works with farmers to lessen the impact of agricultural runoff (fertilizer, cow manure) on the creeks and streams in the Schuylkill watershed. Approximately 37% of the land in the Schuylkill watershed is used for agriculture, so farm management is an important tool in improving water quality. Lights, camera... Schuylkill action!