BIDS AS PLANNERS? CHALLENGES OF MANAGING PHILADELPHIA’S

ABSTRACT: This paper investigates the emerging planning role of business improvement districts (BIDs). BIDs are prolific in urban areas throughout the United States. In the face of declining public resources for urban public services, BIDs have stepped in and today assume a primary role in public service provision and revitalization efforts. As they have matured, BIDs have moved beyond basic service provision and have added more activities and programs to support economic development. In some locations BIDs have assumed a primary responsibility for physical development planning, including improvements to streetscapes and other public spaces. With these new initiatives, BIDs have assumed more public planning responsibility. Based on a case study of the Old City District (OCD), a BID operating in Old City Philadelphia, this paper documents the increased physical planning role and the related organizational demands and external linkages associated with the new activities and initiatives. The OCD had to adapt internally and externally to carry out their new planning initiatives. The paper also discusses the broader implications of BIDs as planners. The lack of a system of public accountability and an inadequat