The first phase of a preservation plan for Philadelphia has been completed. Based on extensive public consultation and an evaluation of the current state of historic preservation in the city, the Preservation Alliance has created a strategic vision for preservation in Philadelphia. The following key reports are available:

Historic Preservation in 2020, A Strategic Vision and Strategic Actions, July 2009 (585k PDF)
A vision of what historic preservation might be in 2020 and recommended actions to get there. The report recommends that actions focus on four key areas:

• Creating and communicating information about historic resources and public education programs on the importance of preserving Philadelphia’s distinctive character;
• Neighborhood revitalization;
• Economic development and sustainability, with a focus on creating new National Register Districts, including along commercial corridors; and
• Developing organizational capacity and coordinated management.

Special Report:

The Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in Philadelphia 1998-2008, March 2010, Econsult Inc. (3.6MB PDF)
Documentation that over $7 billion of historic preservation investment in Philadelphia has resulted in $67 million in tax revenues to the city and $258 million in tax revenues to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The report also concludes that historic district designation increases property values an average of 1 percent per year following designation.

Supporting Reports:

Focused Conversations and Online Survey on a Preservation Plan, July 2009 (1.6MB PDF)
Summarizes findings from focused conversations (2008) and follow up conversations (2009) conducted by Heritage Consulting Inc. on a preservation plan in Philadelphia. The report also includes a summary of the findings of an online survey.

Survey of Citywide Preservation Planning in American Cities, May 2008, Randall Mason (312k PDF)   
An overview of patterns and trends in preservation planning at the citywide scale in U.S. cities.