Comcast Center (Green Engineering)

Considering the size and scale of Philadelphia, the city deserves some credit for being a reasonably green city. The city is dense and efficient (grid pattern), it has an expansive public transportation system (SEPTA), and boasts one of the biggest urban parks (Fairmount Park) in the world. There is of course large room for improvement. There are many practices that if acted upon could vastly propel Philly towards the top of the green list.

Recently there have been some progressive projects that have contributed to changing Philadelphia's image as a green city.




People don't generally associate building skyscrapers with going green; but the reality is that green engineering is actually quite important in the urban network. First of all, building up is better than building out (sprawl). And, because skyscrapers generate waste and release energy, building 'green' can reduce the environmental impact that skyscrapers have. In Philadelphia, the tallest green building in the country was completed last year, the Comcast Center. This project is a good example of how Philadelphia can build up its urban core while being eco-friendly.