Market East Strategic Development Plan

Philadelphia, PA

Despite vital neighborhoods like Chinatown and Washington Square West, an outstanding transit infrastructure, and attractions like the Independence Mall and the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia’s Market East District has never lived-up to its potential. EE&K’s plan for Market East creates a vision that is integral with strategy. One that is not dominated by one use or project, but is characterized by the diversity of forms and activities that have marked Market Street’s colorful history. It seeks to position the Market East District to play a part in a more sustainable future for the City by promoting transit ridership, leveraging the city’s existing investment in one of the richest transit hubs to be found in an American City and improving street-level air quality.

The vision is based on key strategies for restoring Market Street’s role as Philadelphia’s Main Street: bringing everyone onto Market Street, focusing on places instead of projects by improving Market Street’s pedestrian environment; promoting a mix of uses; and creating a new expanded intermodal transit center. The plan also creates opportunities for Chinatown and Jefferson to expand and envisions bold new connections to the Delaware River Waterfront and the adjacent loft district.