Located to the far east of West Philadelphia, University City is geographically defined by boundaries formed by the Shuykill River towards the east, the fifty second street towards the west, Woodland Avenue, the University Avenue and the Civic Center Boulevard towards the south. In the north we have the Spring Garden Street, the Powelton Avenue and the Market Street.
In this boundaries there are local neighborhoods that include the Cedar Park, Spruce Hill, Squirrel Hill, Powelton Village, Woodland Terrace and the Walnut Hill.
This small city is characterized by various educational institutions some of which give it its characteristic name the “University City”. This include the University of Pennsylvania which is the most dominant institution in the area. It is from this university that the name was University City was fabricated. Other universities include Drexel University, the University of Sciences in Philadelphia also known as University City home.
The Eastern Part of the University City is host to several medical institutions, independent scientific research and the Cira Centre. The west side of this area contains Victorian as well as early 20th-century housing stock. It is basically a residential region.
More over the area is ethnically diverse and with a lot of economical sophistication. The north western tract has mostly black raced people while the population in the eastern tract is half white.
There are several social amenities like hotels in this area. Modern Philadelphia Hotel in the University City forms a dynamic lifestyle hotel having futuristic urban designs and other lifestyle amenities for business and leisure travelers. This makes the area a beautiful social space where one is free to relax, socialize and work.
Major events in the area are planned development projects on 12 acre site where Drexel University has properties. This is in line with the vision to build over a 75-acre rail yard, to add on the rapidly developing area located west of the central business district of Philadelphia.
Drexel officials plan to announce selection of a firm that would do a feasibility study of the rail yard idea for almost two years. This was an inspiration of Hudson Yards Project.
The deputy mayor of Philadelphia Alan Greenberger for economic development said city officials are negotiating with Drexel and Amtrak on the possible that would see them build over the rail yard. The area also aims to acquire a new office building by the fall of 2011 at 30 N. 41st St. in University City. This is in line with the visions to achieve a better and good looking face of the region.
The New York Times and the Philadelphia Business journal form the main media coverage in the area. They dominate the coverage of events happening in this area.
Recent events in the area include Philadelphia include the Philadelphia School District Planning to close dozens of schools as a result of underperformance. Moreover the Philadelphia Flyers were trampled by the New York Rangers Trumps 3 to 1 for the fifth consecutive victory.
