Revitalizing the Community of East Parkside in Philadelphia

The goal of the East Parkside Revitalization Project is to create a thriving urban neighborhood in a community struck with high vacancy rates, high unemployment rates and unacceptable poverty rates.

To make East Parkside homes more energy efficient, more durable and more affordable to own, thanks to BASF chemistry.

Habitat for Humanity designed the project's first seven homes to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED^®) Silver certification from the US Green Building Council. Attaining LEED Silver certification verifies that the homes offer environmental and social benefits such as dramatic reductions in energy use and sound transfer between homes. The January 2009 utility bills for one of the families totaled just $50.

The Habitat homes are the first of many sustainable building projects envisioned by local residents and Mayor Michael A. Nutter, who has vowed to make Philadelphia America's greenest city. On October 15, 2009, Mayor Nutter was honored with the Portland Cement Association's Sustainable Leadership Award recognizing sustainable building practices that bring environmental and cost-saving benefits to communities. Philadelphia is the largest city honored in the awards this year.

The overall revitalization project will include a mixed-use development with over 400 homes-both infill lots and rehabilitated existing homes-centered around existing community assets, including the Philadelphia Zoo, the Microsoft^® School of the Future, Memorial Hall and Mann Music Center.

Watch the video above to learn more, or visit our technologies and benefits page technologies and benefits to find out more about how BASF chemistry is being used to revitalize East Parkside.