Bartram Choice Neighborhoods Transformation Plan

planning, urban design, choice neighborhoods, neighborhood plan

Type

Neighborhood Plan

Scale

22 acres, 650+ units

Location

Philadelphia, PA

The Bartram Choice neighborhood in Southwest Philadelphia has all of the ingredients of a livable urban environment–varied housing centered around commercial corridors, an extensive public transit system, job hubs nearby, and a rich history and diverse culture. But with decades of disinvestment, the shrinking of industry, and the digital divide, neighborhood residents face low employment, incomes, graduation rates, and literacy rates, while experiencing high rates of crime and trauma. These challenges are heightened for residents of Bartram Village, a deteriorating public housing site physically isolated from the neighborhood.

WRT led a two-year Choice Neighborhoods planning process to transform Bartram Village into an integrated mixed-income community that preserves housing affordability and positions residents to benefit from anticipated investments.

The planning process focused on mending deep-seated mistrust through transparency, capacity building, and meaningful engagement. The entire community was invited to partake in extensive surveys, a summer festival, community-wide meetings, focus groups, a youth workshop, a leadership series, “walkshop,” and bus tour of similar redeveloped sites. In addition, residents of Bartram Village and the broader neighborhood served on the Steering Committee, as task force co-chairs, and as community ambassadors.

Bartram Choice Neighborhoods Transformation Plan

To help develop local capacity, WRT organized a six-session Neighborhood Leadership Series for residents.