As part of the Great Works Symposium, co-hosted by Drexel Green, Drexel Business Services, and the Magnificent Minds lecture series, Philip Freelon, founder of Freelon Group, presented a lecture on sustainability on October 1, 2009. The Freelon Group specializes in architectural designs for science and technology as well as designs for higher education. Recently, it was selected to design the new Smithsonian Museum of African-American History and Culture based in Washington D.C.

Several Drexel University classes were relocated or delayed for this event, and all architecture students were urged to attend. By the end of the night’s lecture and the Q&A session with a student panel, the audience learned a few things about the current sustainability movement in Philadelphia, including the proposal to revamp the city’s entire water collection and drainage system.

A plan 12 years in the making was finally announced this past September that would decrease the amount of storm water runoff that the city generates. Philadelphia would be the first major city to renovate its water system based only on a need for sustainability. Jon Capacasa, regional director of water protection with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that “[t]his is the most significant use of green infrastructure I’ve seen in the country, the largest scale I’ve seen. We commend Philadelphia for breaking the ice.”

As of now, water drains in Philadelphia lead directly to the city sewage system, causing massive overflow of raw sewage into the main water supply whenever there is a major rainfall. The plan to reduce the flow of runoff into the storm water system includes selecting a large number of impermeable surfaces in the city, a major contributor to runoff pollution, and replacing them with permeable pavers, miniature wetlands, rain gardens, or instead removing them completely to expose the natural absorbent soil surfaces underneath. The project is estimated to generate an 80% reduction in storm water runoff.

Despite the benefits, some are concerned about the projected increase in the continuous noise from construction work, and the traffic caused by detours off the major arteries of the city. The lengthy project, if started as soon as possible, is expected to span 20 years.

Another concern is that Philadelphia’s sustainability effort is painting the town a very expensive shade of green. There is a tremendous amount of money going into the restructuring and separation of the city sewer/water supply system. It would cost more than $1.5 billion.

After Freelon finished speaking, there was a question and answer presentation with a student panel composed of several members of Drexel student organizations dedicated to sustainability. One of the speakers, from the Sierra Club, captured the audience’s attention. The Sierra Club dedicates a great deal of its meeting time to camping trips, hikes, and rock climbs to allow members to enjoy the environment they’re protecting. Based on media coverage, one might think that most major environmental groups are more occupied with the concept of “Green” and environmental policy than the actual environment they are protecting. The audience was pleased to discover that the oldest environmental group in the country is still an active part of the communities and natural habitats that surround them.

The event ended with resounding applause that reflected the crowd’s support for the sustainability efforts that will soon be ongoing in the greater Philadelphia area.

Kathryn Gardner is a Sophomore at Drexel University in an Architecture/General Studies dual major.