Research & Reports

Center City District and Central Philadelphia Development Corporation produce a wide range of reports, newsletters and publications to help keep you informed.

Research & Reports

Open Streets: Reimagining Streets for People in Philadelphia

The Center City District (CCD) report Open Streets: Reimagining Streets for People in Philadelphia comprehensively documents the outcomes and future vision of the Open Streets: West Walnut program.

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Research & Reports

2026 Center City Real Estate Development Report

Center City continues to demonstrate its robust growth trajectory with 64 major development projects either completed, under construction, or in planning stages. This report provides images and key details for these projects, which span from Girard Avenue to Tasker Street, river to river.
Research & Reports

Let’s Take a Look at Market East

Our first monthly feature of 2026 presents a timeline and key facts about the development of Market East.
Research & Reports

Quarterly Market Update Q1 2026

The newly released Quarterly Market Update Q1 2026 looks at the ever-shifting dynamics in Center City’s office market. The report brings together building performance with the latest research to provide a holistic look at both the economic environment and the on-street experience for Center City workers.
Research & Reports

Philadelphia Employment Report 2025

Philadelphia has emerged as a standout performer in employment growth among major U.S. cities, according to the Philadelphia Employment Report 2025, which examined 15 years of job market data. The report reveals that despite ongoing challenges in the office sector, Philadelphia has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth in its overall employment base.
Research & Reports

Center City Retail Report, November 2025

Our year-end 2025 Center City Retail Report pulls together the latest data on retail occupancy, demand, and leasing activity and explores emerging trends and opportunities that will shape Center City’s retail landscape in the coming years.
Research & Reports

Center City Data Dashboard

The Center City Data Dashboard includes data covering key indicators, pedestrian counts, the office market, retail, hospitality, transportation, housing, Center City District stats, and demographics and will be updated regularly. Bookmark it today.
Research & Reports

State of Center City 2025

This comprehensive annual research report from CCD and CPDC examines the key drivers of downtown vitality and investment – new housing, return to the office, retail, employment, arts and culture, transportation, health care and higher education, and travel and tourism.
Research & Reports

Center City Housing Report 2025

This Center City District/Central Philadelphia Development Corp. annual housing report reveals unprecedented growth in Greater Center City's residential sector, with residential development reaching a 5-year high in 2024, according to new CCD research.
Research & Reports

Reclaiming Alleys

This groundbreaking study by the CCD examines over 2.5 miles of Philadelphia's alley network with the goal of transforming these underutilized spaces into valuable public assets. This comprehensive survey of 45 Center City alleys, reveals significant challenges but also significant, achievable potential to evolve into safer, cleaner, and more active urban spaces.
Research Highlight

Cycling in Center City Philadelphia

CCD has taken a deep dive into cycling and its role in facilitating a functional, viable, safe and attractive downtown. Read our article to learn how cycling has rapidly become a crucial part of urban mobility, what’s in the works to make it safer and easier to cycle, and some ideas for how Center City Philadelphia can continue to differentiate itself and encourage people-powered transportation.
Research Highlight

Department Stores in Center City Philadelphia

Why retailers that once defined downtowns have been disappearing for decades, and what it means for the future.
Research Highlight

Supermarkets in Center City

While the closure of the Heirloom Market at 801 Market Street is disappointing news, Center City and the surrounding neighborhoods have welcomed 18 new supermarkets since 2010, with another five expected to open before the end of 2025. Together, they allow nearly 110,000 residents to access groceries within a five-minute walk.

Research Reports & Publications

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Title Published Topic Download
Pedestrian Count Report - June 2017 July 24, 2017 retail, pedestrian counts PDF
Pedestrian Count Report - May 2017 June 23, 2017 retail, pedestrian counts PDF
City Hall Courtyard Improvement Plan May 25, 2017 public space No Attachment
Pedestrian Count Report - March 2017 April 24, 2017 retail, pedestrian counts PDF
Pedestrian Count Report - February 2017 March 24, 2017 retail, pedestrian counts PDF
Pedestrian Count Report - January 2017 February 24, 2017 retail, pedestrian counts PDF
Philadelphia: An Incomplete Revival January 30, 2017 employment, tax policy PDF
Bicycle Commuting 2016 October 18, 2016 transportation, bicycles No Attachment
Getting to Work: Transit, Density & Opportunity June 24, 2016 transit, transportation PDF
Sustaining Demand for Downtown Housing February 15, 2016 residential PDF
Philadelphia's Independent Economy: Implications for Office Space September 28, 2015 office space, coworking PDF
Downtown Rebirth: Documenting the Live-Work Dynamic in 21st Century U.S. Cities October 6, 2013 planning, demographics No Attachment
Managing Success in Center City: Reducing Congestion, Enhancing Public Spaces February 12, 2008 traffic, congestion, public spaces, transit PDF
OPDC | CPDC - 50 Years of Remaking Center City April 17, 2006 cpdc, opdc, history PDF
Growing Smarter: The Role of Center City's Public Schools in Enhancing the Competitiveness of Philadelphia November 29, 2004 education, schools PDF
Turning On the Lights Upstairs February 1, 1996 residential, development PDF
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