Design Advocacy Group of Philadelphia

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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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

04/07/2026

Join DAG on May 13th as we welcome the team developing a new vision for The Avenue of the Arts.

AveArts 2.0 aspires to transform south Broad Street into a vibrant 10-block destination featuring lush greenery, art installations, performance spaces, and inviting seating areas. The project will unfold block by block over multiple years, reshaping the one-mile stretch from City Hall to Washington Avenue into a pedestrian-focused public realm where arts, culture, climate resilience, and daily city life intersect. When complete, the Avenue of the Arts is envisioned as one of the world’s grand cultural boulevards—an iconic destination that elevates Philadelphia’s global profile as a major arts city. As blocks are completed, the Avenue will evolve into a continuous, immersive cultural landscape — enhancing its appeal as one of Philadelphia’s most photographed locations and where arts, innovation, and civic life converge in a dynamic public space.

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 RSVP, click the link below.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/avearts-20-tickets-1986778897164?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

Address

Center For Architecture + Design
Philadelphia, PA
19107

Website

http://www.designadvocacy.org/

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