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Learn about “Designing Organizations”with ESI at DesignPhiladelphia 2017

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DPLOGO_hr   Event

ESI is proud to be a part of the DesignPhiladelphia Festival. Over the course of two weeks in October, universities, cultural institutions, city agencies, retailers, manufacturers and startups across Philadelphia will participate in 100 events on topics spanning across all design disciplines.

Our event, “Designing organizations: Human-centered design as a tool for organizational innovation,” will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2017, from 5-6:30 PM at our office. It will be moderated by Natalie Nixon, design strategist, head of Figure 8 Thinking and ESI Senior Advsior.

With its multi-stepped approach to solving complex problems, the design thinking process is a helpful lens for understanding organizational development. In addition to being a catalyst for creativity and integrative approaches, design thinking challenges employees to be self-reflective in the ways that they cultivate meaningful connections with their customers.

This event will allow you to learn how an organization can use the design thinking framework to not only generate innovative ideas, but change the organizational culture at large. Come with an example of one of your own organizational challenges, and be prepared to test out 1 or 2 of these ideas.

Event Details: 

Date: Thursday, October 12, 2017
Time: 5-6:30PM
Location: 
1435 Walnut Street, 4th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102

For more information on the event and to register, click here.

ESI is Proud to Sponsor Community Design Collaborative’s Annual Bowling Ball

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ESI is proud to sponsor the Community Design Collaborative’s 21st Annual Bowling Ball on September 23 from 6-10 PM at Erie Lanes.

Teams of up to six bowlers can enter to join in on the fun. All ages are welcome to the family friendly evening which includes 3 games of bowling, food, and prizes. Team registration makes you a sponsor of the event and the Collaborative’s mission to strengthen neighborhoods through design.

Event Details:
Date: Saturday, September 23
Time: 6-10 PM
Location:
Erie Lanes
1310 East Erie Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19124

Click here to register.

Take part in Media Borough’s Downtown Perception Survey

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Media borough theaterEconsult Solutions is working with JVM Studio, a Philadelphia-based placemaking firm, and The Riddle Company, a retail consulting practice from Washington, D.C., on Media Borough’s Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan. As part of this project, the consulting team and the Borough are seeking input from residents and local consumers about downtown retail and economic development in Media, PA.  The Perception Survey is located at surveymonkey.com/r/MediaPASurvey and will be available until September 15, 2017.

According to Mayor Bob McMahon, the survey is a critical tool to help the borough with short and long-term economic development planning. “Keeping Media attractive and welcoming requires a renewed focus on the key elements that make a downtown thrive: easy navigation, dynamic retail, and a strong sense of place,” said McMahon.  “This survey provides a chance for people to share their perception about these areas, and how they envision Media in the future.”

The Perception Survey is just one of many tools utilized by the consulting team to help support the economic development plan. The consultants have hosted a series of stakeholder meetings with representatives of the retail and business community, public officials, property owners, and residents. This survey provides an avenue for those unable to attend the meetings to share their ideas and preferences with the consultants.  “We use these types of surveys to supplement original data and research about the markets we work in”, said Peter Angelides, Ph.D., Principal at ESI.  “Surveys also help us reach a larger audience than would be feasible through community and one-on-one meetings in an abbreviated period of time”.

The assignment is to strengthen Media’s appeal by building upon its vibrant environment, engaging the community around a shared vision for growth, and developing a sustainable implementation strategy. The project team will look at economic development opportunities and alternatives, with close attention to business attraction and downtown retail.

ESI is Proud to Sponsor the Philadelphia History Museum’s Summer Down the Shore

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beachladies

ESI is proud to sponsor the Philadelphia History Museum‘s Cocktails in the Courtyard: Summer Down the Shore event on Thursday, June 22 from 6-9 PM at the Marian Mitchell Garden at the Philadelphia History Museum.

Doors to the event open at 5:30 PM and live jazz from 6-7 PM. DJ spinning sounds of summer from 7-9 PM. Shore-themed memorabilia and objects dating to the 1800s from the Museum’s collection, including vintage post cards, bathing suits, and more will be on view in the Main Gallery. Philadelphia Distilling, Philly Fry Food Truck, and 12th St. Catering will be providing food and drinks, included with admission.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, June 22

Time: 6-9 PM

Location:
Marian Mitchell Garden
Philadelphia History Museum
15 South 7 th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Recap: Micro Aspects of Infrastructure

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On Friday, May 12, 2017 Econsult Solutions and Drexel University held their third joint Annual Urban Economic Policy Conference.

The first panel of the Urban Economic Policy Conference that was held jointly by Drexel’s School of Economics and ESI was moderated by ESI President Stephen Mullin and focused on the micro-economic impacts of infrastructure. Joseph Casey, Former General Manager of SEPTA, Nicole Westerman, Executive Director of the Rebuild program, and Lauren Fahnestock, Vice President of Brown and Caldwell  approached this important topic through a variety of perspectives.

Mr. Casey examined SEPTA’s 2009 capital budget crisis and how partnerships with elected officials helped resolve the issue.

Ms. Westerman gave an update on the Rebuild program, and explained that the program not only aims to improve the physical aspects of Philadelphia’s public spaces, but will push to encourage workforce diversity, as well as spark community engagement throughout the process.

Mr. Fahnestock presented on making water infrastructure a priority both regionally and nationally. He focused on the challenges we face as infrastructure ages, and the costs of maintaining and creating new and vital systems.

Check out the keynote presentation and the second panel on the macro aspects of urban infrastructure.

Recap: Macro Aspects of Infrastructure

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The Drexel School of Economics and ESI’s joint urban economic policy conference held on May 12, 2017 ended with a panel that gathered former Philadelphia Commerce Director and ESI Senior Advisor Alan Greenberger, ESI President Richard Voith and Associate Professor at the Universita luav di Venezia Silvio Nocera. Together they touched on the macro-economic aspects of infrastructure.

For Mr. Greenberger, compared to its international peers, the U.S. is behind when it comes to infrastructure. But more than a question of finance, this is above all about decision-making: every city or government entity has a different set of constraints and priorities that impact the decisions they make. As a result, although a regional approach is desirable, decisions still need to be made locally. He mentioned the rise of Public-Private Partnerships (P3) to invest in infrastructure, using the fact that the private sector has more flexibility and a quicker access to capital, the flip side being that it comes at a more expensive rate than a public loan.

ESI President and Principal, Richard Voith, looked at the importance of cities as catalysts for job growth, and how technology is causing great shifts in how we manage transportation infrastructure needs in urban environments.

Finally, Mr. Nocera looked at the global issues we face regarding increases in greenhouse gas emissions and stressed the importance of managing this issue in mobility plans.

Check out the keynote presentation and the first panel on the micro aspects of urban infrastructure.