Presented by Visit Philadelphia and DesignPhiladelphia, this conversation will challenge us to think bigger about the everyday spaces we encounter – from sidewalks to transit hubs, parks to public plazas. How can we reshape these environments to be more inclusive, functional, and inspiring? Why does the design of public spaces impact our communities and well-being?

Event Image Photo by Ben Tran courtesy of University City District

Kelly Edwards | Septa 

With 10+ years of experience in the urban planning and development space, Kelly's multidisciplinary policy background and practical experience in design and construction has brought her to the Manager of Real Estate Operations position at SEPTA which touches  all segments of the transportation agency. She works  with the Real Estate team to inform both long term business decisions and daily operations. Kelly is focused on running strategic acquisitions for Bus Revolution, Trolley Mod and RRR.

Working in the private sector prior to her current position at SEPTA, Kelly had been involved in all aspects of the development process from deal ideation through construction and leasing. After leading the development group’s master planning process, she approached each new project as an integral piece to the long term goals of investments. Her hands-on approach ensured that development seamlessly coordinated with City and Commonwealth officials and offices as well as RCO’s and place based organizations like the transformative Rail Park. 

Kelly has a BA of Sociology, Environmental Design and a Master of Urban Planning from the SUNY University at Buffalo. She served on the City of Philadelphia's Historical Commission and was chosen to be a part of ULI Next. In 2023 she was recognized by the Business Journal in their Women of Influence as a Rising Star and more recently by City + State PA as a Trailblazer in Infrastructure.

Nate Hommel |  University City District

As the Director of Planning and Design at University City District (UCD) since 2012, brings dedicated enthusiasm and urban design expertise to enhance the quality of life in Philadelphia's University City. His impactful leadership includes pioneering progressive placemaking and tactical urbanism strategies, notably transforming the Trolley Portal Gardens into a vibrant public space. Spearheading initiatives like Green City Works, UCD's landscape social enterprise, Nate continues to lead innovative public space projects. Co-founding Open Streets PHL before the pandemic, and since 2020, he has advocated for community engagement and activating the public realm. He successfully guided outdoor dining initiatives during the pandemic to focus on the public realm, turning parklet rules and regs into streeteries. Nate's global influence as a speaker underscores his commitment to inclusive urban environments, featured in publications like The Washington Post.

David Vega-Barachowitz | WXY 

David is an Associate Principal and Director of Urban Design at WXY. He is a recognized leader in urban design, master planning, street design, and public realm strategy. At WXY, David has led many of the firm’s largest master planning and urban design efforts, including the Downtown Toledo Riverwalk, the Beacon Park Yard Master Plan in Boston (MA), the Jacksonville Riverfront Activation Plan, and the Downtown Davenport (IA) Master Plan. In New York City, David has led projects that confront some of the City’s most complex planning challenges, including the NYC Streets Plan, the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway Vision, the development of new guidelines for Open Restaurants and outdoor dining, and a variety of public realm plans for business improvement districts around the city.

David is the former Director of the Designing Cities Initiative at the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), where he built a strong peer-to-peer coalition of cities while creating new programs around bike share, sustainable street design, and transit policy. David spearheaded the production of NACTO’s Urban Street Design Guide, Urban Bikeway Design Guide, and the Blueprint for Autonomous Urbanism. Prior to joining WXY, David served as a Senior Urban Designer at the New York City Department of City Planning.

 David is co-author of Start-up City: Inspiring Private and Public Entrepreneurship, Getting Projects Done, and Having Fun (Island Press, 2015), which he wrote with Gabe Klein. He holds a Master of City Planning from MIT and a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies with Architecture from Columbia University.

This is a unique opportunity to think critically about how we can transform the places we interact with daily and why reimagining our public spaces is essential for the future.