Open Space
Philadelphia Division of Housing & Community Development
The SEPTA rail viaduct runs through the North Central Neighborhood and residents want the viaduct’s underpasses to connect, not divide them. Architects, landscape architects, lighting designers, and artists collaborated on improvements to transform three underpasses into passages between communities. Their designs—inspired by the themes of “stream”, “beacon”, and “porch”—will provide models for improving underpass streetscapes in North Central and citywide.
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The theme of “stream” inspired improvements under the viaduct at Norris Street.
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This project used three SEPTA underpasses as case studies.
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The Norris Street underpass is one example of how the viaduct disconnects the neighborhood..
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Residents participated in a visual preference survey. Green indicates likes. Red indicates dislikes.
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The theme of “stream” inspired improvements under the viaduct at Norris Street.
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The theme of “porch” inspired improvements under the viaduct at Susquehanna Avenue.
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The theme of “beacon” inspired improvements under the viaduct at Diamond Street.
