Flight or Fight: Metropolitan Philadelphia and Its Future

The Philadelphia region is a place with extraordinary assets. It should be a region of choice for young people, families, and businesses. But it’s not. Our region has seen minimal population growth and alarmingly low job growth. What’s growing most rapidly in our region is sprawl. We’re spreading, not growing. Comparisons with other regions makes clear that Metropolitan Philadelphia has fallen into the second tier of places to live, work, and play.

This report brings together comprehensive regional data with the real life experiences of residents and lays out an agenda for change. The message is clear: trends of urban decay, suburban sprawl, and slow economic growth can be addressed and reversed.