Prema Katari Gupta has officially begun her role as the new president of Center City District and she takes over during a pivotal time in Philadelphia, writes Jake Blumgart for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Philadelphia has a new mayor, a young City Council, and is yet another year removed from the pandemic.
According to CCD’s latest study, about 83% of pedestrian volume has returned compared to November 2019.
Gupta highlights that there is a new ecosystem now, as despite the decline of pedestrians, there has been an increase in people living downtown.
When it comes to her new role leading Center City District, Gupta wants to focus on continuity and keeping Center City clean and safe.
“Downtown needs to be clean and safe and comfortable and inviting to a really broad range of users,” she said.
To Gupta, the value proposition of both living and working down is quality of life.
“I think people have the perception that it’s a white-collar attorney working downtown. It’s not. So I’m thinking a lot about framing downtown as the best place, the most convenient place, for opportunity,” Gupta said.
It’s also important to her to emphasize climate change by doubling down on dense land uses and public transportation.
Read more about Prema Katari Gupta’s vision as the new top executive for Center City at The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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