Neighborhood Plan, Cultural Asset Mapping, and Culture-Base Economic Development in Norris Square

Our team worked with Norris Square Community Alliance to devise strategies for neighborhood development, cultural promotion, and curbing gentrification. A historically Puerto Rican neighborhood, Norris Square is following other neighborhoods in Northern Philly in gentrification and displacement. There are concerns about cultural displacement and gentrification. Our team organized three different dual-language workshops and charrettes to collect information about the community’s needs and challenges. Further, we conducted in-depth interviews with experts and organized two meetings with the Steering Committee. Pairing these with our rigorous socio-economic and demographic analysis, we developed a multi-level and priority-based neighborhood plan to guide the community in its future growth. Further, we developed a detailed cultural asset map and a roadmap to leverage culture as an economic development tool.