Design Advocacy Group of Philadelphia

Design Advocacy Group of Philadelphia DAG is an independent and informed public voice for design quality in the architecture and physical planning of the Philadelphia region.

As the name implies, advocating on behalf of a quality urban environment is fundamental to the mission of the Design Advocacy Group. Our goal is be proactive as well as reactive; effective as well as thoughtful; critical as well as constructive. We want to create an unparalleled voice for design, a group whose opinion on the quality of our environment is sought after and whose contribution makes a difference. We are a group drawn from a broad spectrum of disciplines, comprised of motivated individuals who are routinely engaged in matters of design, development and planning and who are not afraid to speak out.

This presentation will examine the planning and design principles of both the Barnes Foundation and Calder Gardens proje...
10/08/2026

This presentation will examine the planning and design principles of both the Barnes Foundation and Calder Gardens projects in relation to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and how the developments relate to the original Parkway vision. The discussion will also contemplate what’s next for the Parkway.

William McDowell, having been involved in the management of both efforts will present the Barnes and Calder projects followed by a discussion moderated by David Brownlee.

To RSVP, please visit the link below.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/barnes-calder-together-on-the-parkway-100-years-in-the-making-tickets-2001777513429?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

On Wednesday, October 14th, DAG welcomes Jennifer Dougherty, manager of Real Estate Planning and Development at SEPTA, a...
10/08/2026

On Wednesday, October 14th, DAG welcomes Jennifer Dougherty, manager of Real Estate Planning and Development at SEPTA, and Andrew Svekla, manager of the Office of Smart Growth at DVRPC, as they join us to discuss transit in our city.

Transit infrastructure has shaped the growth and development of the Philadelphia region ever since the first railroad opened here in 1832. As Philadelphia grew from a walking city planned around Penn’s grid to a metropolis built around rail service, it helped establish the blueprint for what would come to be known as transit-oriented development (TOD).

Today, planners and policymakers are turning to Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC)—vibrant, connected neighborhoods centered on high-quality transit—as a strategy for guiding Philadelphia’s next chapter of growth. On October 14th, DAG will welcome representatives from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, SEPTA, and the Philadelphia City Planning Commission for a discussion of how these organizations are leveraging the region’s transit network to create and sustain neighborhoods that prioritize people and make walking, biking, and transit convenient, attractive transportation choices.

DAG is excited to partner with AIA Philadelphia’s Advocacy Committee in presenting this event.

This event will be held at The Village of Industry and Art at 320 South Broad Street.

Registration is not required for in-person events, however it is helpful for our planning. Light refreshments will be served.

Broad Street deserves better.Philadelphia should absolutely green Broad Street—but a project this important deserves a t...
09/29/2026

Broad Street deserves better.

Philadelphia should absolutely green Broad Street—but a project this important deserves a thoughtful, transparent process and a design that delivers the greatest public benefit.

Philadelphia’s cultural institutions are more than buildings or destinations—they are places where generations learn, ga...
09/16/2026

Philadelphia’s cultural institutions are more than buildings or destinations—they are places where generations learn, gather, discover, and connect to the city around them.

The closure of the Academy of Natural Sciences is not an isolated loss. It raises larger questions about how Philadelphia values and sustains the institutions that shape our civic and cultural identity.

In our latest advocacy piece, the DAG Steering Committee looks beyond the Academy itself to consider what its closure tells us about cultural stewardship in Philadelphia—and what sustained investment, leadership, and public support can mean for the institutions that remain.

Read “More than a Museum: The Academy’s Closure Reflects a Broader Crisis of Cultural Stewardship” at the link in our bio.

Stay informed, engage with the conversation, and help advocate for a strong Section 106 process that protects our shared...
07/30/2026

Stay informed, engage with the conversation, and help advocate for a strong Section 106 process that protects our shared historic and cultural resources.



To visit these links, visit our bio.

The former Philadelphia History Museum deserves a future that honors its past. Join the coalition in calling for the pre...
07/29/2026

The former Philadelphia History Museum deserves a future that honors its past. Join the coalition in calling for the preservation and thoughtful reuse of this important civic landmark.

Learn more and add your voice on our website.

As the new CEO of Fairmount Park, Tony Sorrentino will share his vision for the future of Philadelphia’s largest and mos...
07/28/2026

As the new CEO of Fairmount Park, Tony Sorrentino will share his vision for the future of Philadelphia’s largest and most significant public landscape. Speaking to members of the Philadelphia Design Advocacy Group, he will explore how thoughtful leadership, design excellence, environmental stewardship, and community engagement can shape the park’s next chapter. The presentation will highlight priorities for enhancing accessibility, preserving natural and historic resources, strengthening neighborhood connections, and creating welcoming spaces that serve all Philadelphians. Tony will also discuss the critical role of Conservancy as a strategic partner in supporting park improvements, fundraising, advocacy, programming, and long-term sustainability.

This event will be held at The Village of Industry and Art at 320 South Broad Street.

Registration is not required for in-person events, however it is helpful for our planning. Light refreshments will be served.

To register please visit our website!

Our national celebrations have been a time to reflect on the republic’s creation, heritage, and ideals. The Black presen...
06/15/2026

Our national celebrations have been a time to reflect on the republic’s creation, heritage, and ideals. The Black presence contradicts the “storybook” idea of this nation’s founding as a “white republic.” As a result, African Americans’ founding-era contributions have been marginalized during the Centennial, Sesquicentennial, Bicentennial, and now the Semiquincentennial. The Philadelphia community has challenged this “storybook” conception of our nation’s founding. Becoming American: Philadelphia’s Story, a feature-length film about the founding era through the lens of Philadelphia’s African community, is one example of how the Semiquincentennial is being democratized. This talk will review this project and others in the city.

This event will be held at The Village of Industry and Art at 320 South Broad Street.

Registration is not required for in-person events, however it is helpful for our planning. Light refreshments will be served.

On August 12th, David Seltzer will join DAG for a presentation based on his book,Transit Tourism: The Iconic Art and Des...
06/11/2026

On August 12th, David Seltzer will join DAG for a presentation based on his book,Transit Tourism: The Iconic Art and Design of 22 Subways Around the World, released in 2025 by Schiffer Publishing. Transit Tourism consists of travel essays and images on the art, architecture and design of 22 subway systems located in 18 countries, giving an underground perspective on the unique character of each of these cities. The premise of the book is that the visual culture of each subway, metro, tube or u-bahn—its architecture, art installations, vehicles, map, logo, wayfinding, and even typeface—reflects the distinct personality of the city it serves.

Viewing these systems through the design lens of a “transit tourist,” one appreciates that subways are not just a means of transport—they are an indelible part of a city’s DNA, and to understand a city, you really need to understand its subway.

This event will be held at The Village of Industry and Art at 320 South Broad Street.

Registration is not required for in-person events, however it is helpful for our planning. Light refreshments will be served.

Leslie Richards, the former CEO and General Manager of SEPTA and PennDOT Secretary, recently launched the Transportation...
04/21/2026

Leslie Richards, the former CEO and General Manager of SEPTA and PennDOT Secretary, recently launched the Transportation Initiative at Penn (TRIP) a new program that brings together scholars, students, public agencies, and private partners to address today’s complex mobility challenges. TRIP’s mission is to turn academic research into actionable transportation solutions that improve transit efficiency, mobility access, and sustainability in Philadelphia, across Pennsylvania, and nationwide. Leslie will discuss lessons learned from the first year of TRIP, including ways to accelerate the adoption of innovative transportation technologies, the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to complex governance challenges, and ways to bridge the gaps between research and practice.

This event will be held at the new at 320 S. Broad Street.

Registration is not required for in-person events, however it is helpful for our planning. Light refreshments will be served.

To register for this event, CLICK THE LINK BELOW!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/driving-change-research-policy-and-practice-in-the-transportation-sector-tickets-1987917168765?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

Address

Center For Architecture + Design
Philadelphia, PA
19107

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Design Advocacy Group of Philadelphia posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Design Advocacy Group of Philadelphia:

Shortcuts

Share

Category