Volume 43, Issue 5
Urban Communities Show Strong Population Growth in 2020 Census
The 2020 Census data shows a resurgence of population in urbanized areas over the last decade -- a reversal in trends from the previous two decades, when population growth was mostly in the growing suburbs and more rural areas. This indicates an uptick in infill development in the region’s core cities and developed suburbs, which is consistent with the land use vision identified in the Connections 2050 Long-Range Plan.
DVRPC’s new Data Bulletin, 2020 Decennial Census Highlights, takes a close look at county and municipal population trends in the nine-county DVRPC region. Overall, the region grew by 4.7 percent, or 266,900 people, from 2010 to 2020 -- up from 4.4 percent in the prior decade. All nine counties in the region had positive growth for the second straight decade, with Philadelphia and Montgomery counties accounting for half of all regional growth over the last 10 years. Philadelphia became the leading county in terms of absolute growth, adding 77,800 people over the last decade.
Greater Philadelphia is also becoming more diverse. Similar to national trends, the population identifying as White, non-Hispanic has declined in the region and in all of its counties over the past two decades. The regional share of this group has dropped by 11.5 percent, from 69.7 percent in 2000 to 58.2 percent in 2020.
Many questions remain about the 2020 Census, including concerns about the impacts of data collection during the COVID-19 pandemic and new Census Bureau privacy policies on data quality. Check out the data bulletin to learn more.
What’s in Store: Exploring the Future of Shopping Malls
Increased online competition, evolving consumer preferences, and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic are threatening the viability of enclosed shopping malls around the country. DVRPC’s latest report summarizes research designed to help communities throughout Greater Philadelphia better understand the challenges and opportunities created by struggling or vacant mall properties. What’s in Store details trends in shopping mall redevelopment and presents planning considerations that can help local governments revitalize these properties as community assets.
Learn more about What's in Store.
Join the Public Participation Task Force
Want to engage in the regional planning and decision-making process? Apply to be a member of DVRPC’s Public Participation Task Force (PPTF) today!
The mission of DVRPC's PPTF is to provide access to the regional planning process, host a welcoming forum to discuss and learn about timely issues, assist the Commission in implementing public outreach strategies, and to empower residents to be a part of local planning processes. For more details about the PPTF, visit www.dvrpc.org/Committees/PPTF.
Applications for the 2022 cohort will be open through December 19th, 2021. The application is online here: www.dvrpc.org/GetInvolved/PPTFApplication. If you have any questions, please contact Mari Gonzalez, Public Participation Planner, at mgonzalez@dvrpc.org.
Curious but want to know more? Attend the next PPTF online meeting on the evening of December 1st. Come network with current members and learn more about how the PPTF works. To RSVP, check the DVRPC Events calendar or email public_affairs@dvrpc.org.
John Ward Inducted into ITSNJ Hall of Fame
DVRPC congratulates former Deputy Executive Director John Ward, recipient of the 2021 Intelligent Transportation Society of New Jersey (ITSNJ) Hall of Fame Award. This award recognizes individuals who have served as a leader, subject matter expert, and advocate of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) throughout their career.
John recently retired from DVRPC after 36 years of service, rising through different positions. He was a vocal ally of using technology and agency collaboration to address congestion and other transportation challenges. Under John’s leadership, DVRPC created the Transportation Operations Task Force, the Regional Integrated Multi-Modal Information Sharing (RIMIS) Project, and the Traffic Incident Management (TIM) program. Congratulations, John!
Crash Responder Safety Week Spotlights Traffic Incident Management To Save Lives
November 8-14, 2021 is Crash Responder Safety Week. Every day, responders risk life and limb to help drivers out on the road, and each year, hundreds of these men and women are struck, and many are killed, by negligent, distracted, and impatient drivers. Please join us this week in raising awareness concerning the dangers these individuals face every time they stop to help our fellow travelers.
All of us can help save lives by moving over a lane when possible, or slowing down when not. In addition to being the right thing to do, moving over is also the law. Pennsylvania and New Jersey both have Move Over Laws, which require motorists to Move Over or slow down to provide a buffer for the mothers and fathers, sons and daughters who work to keep our roadways safe.
Follow and share @DVRPC’s posts on social media throughout the week to raise awareness. Learn about Traffic Incident Management in the DVRPC region.
Be a part of the Chester County Freight Plan
DVRPC and the Chester County Planning Commission are undertaking a Freight Plan that is intended to identify freight transportation activity and needs across Chester County. The region’s economic competitiveness is closely tied to freight activity and this plan aims to balance the needs of communities with all modes of transportation, from farm vehicles to trains and from tractor trailers to delivery vans.
We want to hear from people who live, work, visit and travel through Chester County. Please share with us your needs and concerns around freight by using an interactive web map. Your feedback will help us better understand freight activity and create tools to help balance the needs of all users no matter how they travel.
For more information about the study and to submit your feedback go to the web map: www.dvrpc.org/webmaps/chester-county-freight.
DVRPC Board Adopts Air Quality Conformity Determination for Three Planning Documents
On September 23, 2021, the DVRPC Board adopted the current Transportation Conformity Determination for the region. It covers three planning documents adopted this year—the Connections 2050 Long-Range Plan, the FY 2021 TIP for Pennsylvania, and the FY 2022 TIP for New Jersey—and replaces the previous determination from July 2020.
Transportation conformity is the federally mandated process through which DVRPC demonstrates that the investments, strategies, and programs included in the Long-Range Plan and transportation improvement programs (TIPs) will not negatively impact the region’s ability to meet or maintain national air quality standards.
Learn more about air quality conformity and read the full Transportation Conformity Determination on DVRPC’s website.
Upcoming Online LTAP Classes
The Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) provides technical information and expertise to help municipal governments use transportation funds more effectively, improve road maintenance, and increase roadway safety. Classes are held by Pennsylvania and New Jersey LTAP programs, but are open to any municipality.
Upcoming online classes:
Design of ADA Curb Ramps and Pedestrian Access Routes
November 8 – 10, 2021 (1:30 pm – 3:30 pm)
Winter Maintenance 101
November 12, 2021 (8:00 am – 12:00 pm)
Visit Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation to see the 2021 schedule of LTAP courses in New Jersey.
Visit PennDOT's LTAP website to view the course descriptions and register. For any questions, contact Linda McNeffer at lmcneffer@dvrpc.org or 215-238-2872.
DVRPC maintains a calendar of events, workshops, and conferences hosted by our partners and related to planning for Greater Philadelphia. Visit our Partner Calendar to learn more.