In our last chapter, we will talk about Hawaii, and other Islands in the Pacific Ocean. These are known for their absolutely breathtaking scenery and tropical climate. These together make Hawaii a popular tourist destination. Geographically Hawaii has some interesting characteristics. Due to its isolation, it developed a unique flora and fauna. Today, it is threatened by human impact. In this light, we will discuss the ways that Philadelphia has been altered by humans. Philadelphia, because it was the first planned city, had more man-made geographic changes than other cities along the Eastern coast. Philly's location on the coast meant that historically there were several natural waterways leading to the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. As the city became a bustling industrial hub, waste was put into all the natural water ways until the mid-nineteenth century. Adverse health reactions and epidemic outbursts caused city engineers to change all these natural waterways into piped sewage. This way, the city could continue developing in the patterned planned without interference to polluted waterways.
As shown, the amount of waterways that still exist today are very minimal! Of the 283 linear miles of streams that once existed in Philadelphia to carry runoff to the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, only 118 miles still remain today. The historic erasing of surface creeks and streams has transformed hydrological conditions over time (Philadelphia Water Department). Philadelphia has been heavily altered by human activity. Today, urbanization continues to degrade the waterways and ecosystems. The Eastern coast has been industrialized for much longer than Hawaii. But the beautiful island continues to face environmental damage caused because of human interaction. Other things that Hawaii and Philly have in common are increased real estate and land values due to tourism. Apartments, houses and condos in the city are extremely expensive. So although Hawaii and the Pacific Islands and the city of Philadelphia are on the very opposite sides of our country, there are a few similar characteristics.
The Pacific Northwest is comprised of the United State's coastal Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, and Canada's western coast. This region is known for its rugged independence and environmentally sustainability. In this spirit, we will discuss Philadelphia's efforts to become a more environmentally 'green' city. In 2008, the new Mayor, Michael Nutter, pledged to make Philadelphia the number one green city in America. So, in order to do this, he created the Mayor's Office of Sustainability. The Mayor, and Office of Sustainability introduced the Greenworks Philadelphia plan in 2009. This ambitious plan sets 15 sustainability targets in the areas of energy, environment, equity, economy and engagement to make Philadelphia the greenest city in America by 2015 (Office of Sustainability). In the five goal areas, there are 15 measurable (and obtainable) targets. Here are just some of the targets included in the Greenworks plan: -Lower City Government Energy Consumption by 30% -Purchase and Generate 20% of Electricity Used from Alternative Energy Sources -Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 20% -Improve Air Quality toward Attainment of Federal Standards -Divert 70% of Solid Waste from Landfill -Provide Walkable Access to Park and Recreation Resources and Affordable Healthy Foods for All Philadelphians
1962 2011
Air Quality has visibly improved as seen from South Broad Street.
So far, the city has: reduced our municipal energy use by 5%; more than tripled our curbside residential recycling rates; increased access to healthy, affordable food for more than 200,000 Philadelphians; and completed 428 miles of bike lanes. Philadelphia also has added 63,000 new trees throughout the city, increased the state of good repair in resilient infrastructure by 4%, and increased the amount of alternative energy use by 10%. Halfway through the timeline, 148 of 167, or 89% of the Greenworks initiatives have been completed or started work on. Here is a great video about the ways Philadelphia is working to become more energy efficient.
In order to continue the sustainability efforts, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission adopted the new comprehensive plan, Philadelphia 2035 - Citywide Vision, in June 2011. This plan provides overall policy and location guidance for future private and public investment. Organized under the themes of Thrive, Connect and Renew, the plan makes recommendations that are mostly directly related to the Greenworks priorities. Because of this comprehensive plan, "Philadelphia will continue over the next 20 years to: improve neighborhood livability; make Philadelphia more economically competitive; adapt utility services to changing technology and consumption patterns; increase equitable access to open-space resources; and fulfill City obligations to meet ambitious federal environmental standards."
Overall, considerable work has been done while attempting to achieve Mayor Nutter's goal. Philly currently boasts the highest green office building in the Country! Philadelphia is striving to be a model for urban environmental sustainability. All quotations, information, data, and statistics were obtained from the 2012 Greenworks Update Progress Report, which can be found in it's entirety, here.
The beautiful California, pictured left, is the topic of this chapter. California is a diverse cultural and geographic region. Though they are literally on opposite sides of the country, Philadelphia and California do have a few things in common. First, one of both California and Philadelphia's primary economic is the tourism. There are many iconic sites to see in both places, but the previously discussed historic wealth in the city of Brotherly Love is certainly unique. Also similar to both regions, are the large amount of urban areas. Philadelphia, as a major city, is by definition a metropolitan place. Several cities in California, like Los Angeles and San Francisco have similar attributes to the city of Philly. Ethnoburbs, or clusters of one particular ethnic group, are present in many urban areas of California and Philadelphia. As discussed in Chapter 4, historically there have been many ethnic enclaves that dominated specific regions of Philly. One cultural area we have yet to discuss is Philadelphia's Chinatown. This area, typically recognized by the "Friendship Arch" located at 10th and Arch street (pictured right), has a unique history all its own. In 1951, after many Chinese families had developed a community in this area, the Chinese Benevolent Association was created to bridge the political and social differences among the many different Chinese people living there. Through the course of this, many Chinese churches and schools were developed to help foster and maintain the community. In the 1960's, Philadelphia city officials had planned an expressway construction project that would disrupt this area. Shops and business, and the schools and churches, would be permanently closed as the construction continued. As a result, several young Chinese men and women became politically involved and advocated for their community. It took over twenty years, but finally an agreement between Philadelphia and the Chinese community was reached in the late 1980's. The expressway was built elsewhere, and all Chinese churches and schools were saved. Since this, the city has worked with this community to preserve and enhance Chinatown. Though it may not be as popular as San Fran's Chinatown, Philadelphia's Chinese community represents a thriving ethnoburb that exemplifies the cultural diversity present in all city conglomerations, whether in on the East or West coast.
The MexAmerica region is one of only two culturally defined geographic regions in the text. There are a slew of different peoples present in this region; with a variety of histories and customs that also exist. There is, however, in the space between southwest Texas, New Mexico and southern portion of Arizona, a unifying presence of Hispanic and Mexican influence. This can certainly be seen in the food one would encounter traveling through this area. The food of Philadelphia has been influenced by the many cultures of the people who immigrated there early in the city's history. There are several food items that are unique to Philly, and this has become a part of all Philadelphian's identity. The Philly Cheese Steak, Soft Pretzels, Tastykakes, Scrapple, and Taylor's Pork Role, are all important foods found throughout the city.
Inside Reading Terminal Market
These items, along with other delicious and unique foods can be found at Philly'sReading Terminal Market. Since 1893, this indoor market in center city have provided shoppers with access to over 50 merchants under one roof. The foods here are from all corners of the world. Greek, Indian, and Moroccan, as well as Amish farmed deli meats, and of course, the classic Philly staples can also be enjoyed here as well.
Philly Cheese Steaks (not to be confused with cheesecake), are perhaps the most popular food item that belongs to Philadelphia. Often imitated but never duplicated, these steak sandwiches can be with or without onions, with cheese wiz, provolone or american cheese always served on the delicious local bread. The bread is what makes this sandwich so incredible. If you want, jalapeno peppers or mushrooms can be added, but many Philadelphians feel this is not how to really enjoy a classic cheese steak.
While there are many shops throughout the city that offer delicious cheese steaks, Geno's and Pat's in South Philly's Italian market are perhaps the most famous. These two have been warring rivals for decades and each have their own devout following. On our trip there in August, my family ate at 4 different restuarants in 2 days! Our favorites were Jim's on South, and Chink's on Torresdale avenue in Northeast Philly. Chink's was the place where my Gram and Poppy spent their evenings in their youth eating sandwiches and enjoying delicious milkshakes.
A few more unique food items to the Philly region are Scrapple and Taylor's Pork Role. Scrapple is supposedly from German origins and combines pork scraps with flour and then is pan fried. Taylor's Pork Role is commonly found in New Jersey and Philadelphia. Similar to Spam or Canadian Bacon, the contents of Pork Role were largely unknown. It has always come in circular packages and is often sliced toward the middle in order to prevent the meat from curling giving it a 'pacman' shape. These are both delicious products that are staples of Philly food.
Taylor's Pork Roll
Scrapple
While MexAmerica and Philly each have different foodways, both regions have specific food cultures that surround them. Just like MexAmerica's food, Philly cuisine is influenced by the many cultures present.
