On June 26th and 27th, the 2019 Forward Equitable Development Conference convened over 300 participants committed to an equitable city where every Philadelphian lives, works, and thrives in a neighborhood with an excellent quality of life. Urban designer Liz Ogbu delivered the keynote address followed by a plenary panel discussion, over 25 afternoon sessions, and a closing networking reception. On Thursday, expert practitioners facilitated half-day intensive seminars on key topics in equitable neighborhood revitalization.

A designer, urbanist, and social innovator, Liz is an expert on social and spatial innovation in challenged urban environments globally. View our keynote recording here along with the accompanying slideshow presentation here.

Following the keynote address, Liz Ogbu,Tonnetta Graham of Strawberry Mansion CDC, Maitreyi Roy of Bartram’s Garden, and Sarah Yueng of the Food Trust participated in a panel discussion on creating equitable public spaces locally with moderator Tya Winn of Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia. View their conversation here. 

Wednesday, jUNE 26TH 

• Adopting a Preservation Strategy for Philadelphia’s Rental Housing
• Arts, Engagement, and Creative Placemaking on the Move
• Barrio Alegria: 4 Years of Community Engagement in Reading
• The Breathing Monument: The Art of Equitable Community Engagement at Mander Recreation Center
• Economic Development with Community Engagement
• Embedding Integrated, Employer-Connected Training Partnerships into Jobseekers’ Lives and Communities
• Empowering and Advancing Agency in the Community
• Equitable Development & Inclusive Growth in Opportunity Zones
• Facilitating Access to Capital and Economic Development through Affinity Group Lending
• Funding Opportunity for Equity through Stormwater Management
• Healthy Housing Interventions for Renters
• How Community Groups Can Win at the Zoning Board
• The Impact of Housing and Green Spaces on Health
• Improving the Lives of Families Experiencing Homelessness
• Keeping it Local: Strategies for Connecting Philadelphia Institutions to Local Businesses
• The New Geography of Affordability
• Park in a Truck: Creating Equitable + Inclusive Neighborhoods
• Protecting Land for Community Gardens
• Rail Park Equitable Development Plan
• Reactivating Places of Worship as Community Hubs
• Restored Spaces at Southwark School
• Social Equity and Environmental Justice
• Solar Energy as a Pathway to Community Development
• Supportive Housing 101
• Visioning Neighborhood-Based Co-Op Business Development
• Walk Audits: Engaging Residents to Improve Safety

Thursday, june 27th

• Building Community Economy with Community Engagement
• Building our Clout through Community Organizing
• Conducting Walk Audits
• Introduction to Healing-Centered Engagement: What It Means for You and Your Communities
• Neighborhood Planning… A Case Discussion