315 years ago William Penn landed on the banks of the Delaware River to create what he envisioned as a 'greene country towne'. He built wide streets and parcels of land in part to avoid the disastrous London fires but also to create an urban environment that would complement his ideals. As a Quaker Penn believed in equality with a religious zeal. As a planner Penn recognized the connection between urban design and the preservation of fundamental human rights. The basic street plan he carved out of the forest still stands today.

The Next Great City project evokes some of the same idealism upon which Philadelphia was founded. Inherent in working toward the 'Next Great City' are principles of freedom and equality that require a healthy environment, economic equality, civic engagement, and good government.

The ten actions of the Next Great City knit different elements of our urban fabric including healthy parks, green streets, and vibrant neighborhoods into a cohesive vision. The actions lie at crossroads between movements including environmentalism, neighborhood development, and mass transit. The connections that the Next Great City project makes between different community, non-profit, social service, advocacy and other groups is perhaps the most significant outcome of the campaign. Some have criticized the Next Great City for not being ambitious enough but I would say that it is a valuable vehicle for fostering links between the 86 groups that are now part of the campaign.

The fact that the ten actions are focused and achievable will mean victories that can help sustain a network that needs to work together. I believe that non-profit structures and funding streams have helped to carve out a kind of niche advocacy that fosters isolation. This is not a critique of any groups or work but an assessment of an industry with limited resources. I applaud the Next Great City for breaking through. Environmentalism needs to connect with urban realities and issues of social justice.

These are connections that we've tried to make at online at Greenadelphia.org and the Philadelphia Independent Media Center and through the civic education of Young Involved Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is at a crossroads as an unprecedented condo and development boom comes at the same time as the homeless rate increases. Center City and certain neighborhoods experience growth while others continue to suffer. There is a rise of the 'creative class' while inequality continues to increase. Change needs to come from an engaged and educated population and a vision of social justice that ties together movements and communities. The solutions lie in the type of network that the Next Great City is helping to form.