News & Insights

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Essays from our Present Value blog, news from the firm, and our analysts in the press.

Present Value

(Unsolicited) Advice for New Board Members

Over the past several years there has been a collective, concerted effort in Greater Philadelphia and elsewhere to broaden the composition of…

Present Value·Infrastructure Economics

Making Pedestrian-Only Streets a Reality in Philadelphia

Philly needs permanent pedestrian-only streets. Not just one, but a network of protected corridors in all our neighborhoods, brimming with activity and…

Present Value·Public Policy and Fiscal Analysis

Expert Views: A Conversation with Gina Lavery on the Climate Resilience Index

In celebration of the release of the Climate Resilience Index our team has produced, I interviewed Gina Lavery, Senior Vice President and…

Present Value·Economic Development and Sector Strategy

From the Vault: Features on Sustainability and Urban Resilience

In this Present Value post, we look back on thought provoking reads focused on the growing threat of climate change, the need for sustainability…

Present Value·Real Estate and Land Use Planning

Finding Solutions for the Growing Student Housing Crisis

The current uncertainties within the higher education industry have been well-documented by contributors in Present Value. These range from existential, long-run issues—like…

Present Value·Economic Development and Sector Strategy

Expensive Eggs and Rising Gas Prices: How Does Inflation Help Me Pay My Mortgage?

Inflation – a general rise in the price of all the things we buy – is a constant topic in the news,…

Present Value·Infrastructure Economics

How Does Sea Level Rise Affect Us? Learning from New Jersey

Over the last century, sea levels in New Jersey have risen about 1.4 feet, due to both natural forces and groundwater pumping.…

Present Value·Public Policy and Fiscal Analysis

Four Considerations When Building a Climate Resilient Economy

The notion of a climate resilient economy—an economy that can come back from shocks or stresses prompted by extreme weather events, sea…

Present Value·Infrastructure Economics

The Role of Regression Modeling in Assessing Economic Impacts: A Focus on Transit Premium and Housing Values

Imagine living in a neighborhood transformed by the arrival of a new bus route or metro station, where high-capacity transit lines and…

Present Value·Anchor Institution Impact

Establishing a Best Path Forward Toward Private University-Community Relations

Private universities now understand the positive shared successes interwoven between higher education institutions and their respective municipalities. Some would say the best…

Present Value·Economic Development and Sector Strategy

The Forever Changing City of Philadelphia

The Neighborhood of West Philadelphia  West Philadelphia is one of the city’s largest neighborhoods. It holds many of the city’s schools, hospitals,…

Present Value·Real Estate and Land Use Planning

How Can Location Intelligence Help Identify Affordable Housing Development Opportunities

The real estate adage "location, location, location" is as relevant today as it has ever been, encapsulating the essence of what makes…

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