What’s Next for Philly: Great parks save lives. The FDR Park Plan is a $250+ million multi-phase plan whose development and implementation is a partnership of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy, benefiting millions of annual users of this historic park. The plan—which will be implemented over the next three years, and whose first ribbon-cutting is this fall—sets a vision for FDR Park that balances nature, water, and human activity into a world-class public space. The renewed FDR Park will have more trails, meadows, nature, and water. By providing premier fields and courts where youth can play sports, nature trails that offer refuge and respite, stormwater management amenities that mitigate the effects of climate change in both the park and the surrounding neighborhoods, and community investment that brings about neighborhood cohesion, FDR Park can heal Philadelphia’s ecology and people.
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Fast Forward 2023 Presenter line up
What’s Next for Philly: Great parks save lives. The FDR Park Plan is a $250+ million multi-phase plan whose development and implementation is a partnership of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy, benefiting millions of annual users of this historic park. The plan—which will be implemented over the next three years, and whose first ribbon-cutting is this fall—sets a vision for FDR Park that balances nature, water, and human activity into a world-class public space. The renewed FDR Park will have more trails, meadows, nature, and water. By providing premier fields and courts where youth can play sports, nature trails that offer refuge and respite, stormwater management amenities that mitigate the effects of climate change in both the park and the surrounding neighborhoods, and community investment that brings about neighborhood cohesion, FDR Park can heal Philadelphia’s ecology and people.
Mary Beth Gregory + John Pennekamp
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
CALL FOR 2023 PRESENTERS NOW OPEN!
What’s Next for Philly?
Whether it’s your grand vision for the whole city, or specific plans for that part you know best, we want to hear where you see Philly going – and where you want to take it! We’ve heard about revitalizing old neighborhood institutions, learned about exciting new programs in Philly schools, and gushed over a fantasy transit map. Be one of the emerging voices at the 12th installment of Fast Forward >> Philly during the DesignPhiladelphia festival. We want to give your big ideas an audience, Philadelphia!
Fast Forward >> Open Call for Presenters
We are looking for presenters from various creative backgrounds to take on one burning question,
“What’s next for Philly?” in 20 slides, 20 seconds each - no more, no less.
Where Glen Gery Brickworks Studio 1319 Walnut St
When Thursday October 12, 2023 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Important Dates This is a fast-paced event where timing is essential. Please note the firm deadlines for submissions:
September 1st | 5pm - Submit Statement of Intent
Name, Title, Organization, Industry
Your take on “What’s next for Philly?” 200 words
Five (5) Sample Slides* to fastforwardphilly@gmail.com
September 5th - Selected speakers notified
Slide formatting instructions will be distributed
If selected, we’ll need a short personal bio and headshot for event publicity
September 29th | 5pm - Submit all 20 Slides
Slides Submission Requirements: email JPGs or Microsoft Power Point slides (Mac/Windows acceptable) to fastforwardphilly@gmail.com. File must be no larger than 25 megabytes (MB).
October 12 | 6pm - Fast Forward Event
Need More Info?
Email fastforwardphilly@gmail.com and view past presentations at fastforwardphilly.blogspot.com
Follow us on Instagram @FastForwardPHL - use #fastforwardphl and #WhatsNextPHL for news & announcements!
Monday, September 26, 2022
Meet our 2022 Presenters!
Fast Forward 2022 Presenters
Andrew Donaldson- Evans
Power to the People
Ian Smith + Rob Fleming
Preservation Sustainability: Saving the Future By Saving the Past
Tricia Maloney
A New Approach to Philadelphia Art and Artists
Angela Iraldi + Kristen Suzda
Decarbonization Debunked
Damon McWhite
How to Make Philadelphia the Capital of Equitable Tech and Innovation
Katrina Connors + Ramune Bartuskaite
Design that prioritizes HEALTH and WELLBEING
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Is it Fast Forward >> Friday yet??
Don't miss tomorrow night's lineup of #WhatsNextPHL presentations!
Register to attend in-person, or check out the event via LIVESTREAM (6pm EST).
Monday, October 4, 2021
Meet Fast Forward Presenter >> Owen Franklin
What is your Big Idea for Philadelphia?
Philadelphia is a city that’s known as being “cool”- great arts and culture, a terrific restaurant scene, and a growing technology hub. But it’s also a city that’s very hot, and getting hotter as climate change exacerbates extreme heat. Our neighbors in underserved communities bear the brunt of this extreme urban heat, where lack of tree canopy, an abundance of asphalt and historic disinvestment leave residents sweltering.
Using public art to foster conversation about lived experiences with urban heat, The Trust for Public Land’s Heat Response PHL project asks, “Why do we care about urban heat and what do we do about it?” The Trust for Public Land advances green community spaces like parks and schoolyards as one of the best ways to expand health, equity and justice. And those spaces also cool our communities. Through Heat Response, The Trust for Public Land is working with community leaders, artists and activists in 3 Philly neighborhoods- Grays Ferry, Fairhill and Southeast Philadelphia- to facilitate local solutions to extreme heat. What’s next for Philly is using greener spaces to combat extreme heat.
Friday, October 1, 2021
Meet Fast Forward Supporter >> Pella Windows & Doors - Philadelphia
What is your Big Idea for Philadelphia?
Thursday, September 30, 2021
Meet Fast Forward Presenter >> Danielle DiLeo Kim
What is your Big Idea for Philadelphia?
PHILADELPHIA250 speaks to the importance of diverse perspectives—and how the upcoming 250th is an accelerator to invite the great diversity of our people, their lived experiences, and perspectives—to work together to bring about the sustainable change we need for a thriving future city for all.