economy: Philadelphia Metropolis

The Custodial Mayor

Michael Nutter will be sworn into a second term as mayor of Philadelphia this week. In this Cover Story, senior editor Tom Ferrick offers an appraisal of Nutter's first term and looks forward to the next four years. In Part Two, we examine the broad forces at work that will define Philadelphia during Nutter's second term. (Comments)

Philadelphia 2012

On the week of Mayor Nutter's inauguration, Metropolis takes an in-depth look at Nutter's leadership and the prospects for this second term. In Part Two, we examine the larger trends that define the state of the city in 2011. Read on about the good, the bad and the ugly forces at work in Philadelphia. (Comments)

No Second Act

They say there are no second acts in American lives and that seems especially true of the Occupy Wall Street movement and its local manifestation. In fact, the local protest seems even more askew, at least in its symbolism.  Occupy... (Comments)

Answer No. 4: The Crime Rate?

Lowering crime in Philadelphia has been the unalloyed success of the last 10 years. After record highs in the 1980's and into the 90's, the number of major crimes has steadily declined since 2000; a 30-percent drop overall.  Homicides, after... (Comments)

Answer No. 2: The Continuing Loss of Jobs

To begin with, Ed Rendell was right. When he was mayor, he placed a major bet on convention and tourism as a way to produce jobs for the city.  The bet paid off, there are now more people employed today... (Comments)