As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, let’s look ahead another quarter millennium.
What will Philadelphia be like in the year 2276?
That’s the project Technical.ly embarked on this year, with the support of the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial. We created an initial draft with feedback from 100 stakeholders, then printed it out and brought it to community events all over the city, from the Northeast to West Philly and beyond. We got specific feedback from hundreds of individuals, who hailed from diverse backgrounds and were aged 5 to 85.
As we interacted with residents, we were struck by the optimism most people exuded. No matter their take on the present, most people believe the city in 250 years from now can be a better place for more of us.
Now we’re gearing up to publish a permanent version of this vision — think brass plaque! So it has to be relatively short — and we’re seeking final comments from the public.
Check out the statement below, and send us your feedback. Stay tuned for details on where it will be placed IRL.
A vision of Philadelphia in 2276, from residents 250 years earlier
Commemorated May 2026
In a world where climate, technological and global populations have changed, Philadelphia is globally respected for maintaining the ideals of freedom, liberty and tolerance on which we were founded. Our mid-sized city thrives by welcoming immigrants, creating culture and inventing the future.
Our streets are safe and clean. Our neighborhoods are rich with people-powered art. Our city is well-governed, attracting both investment and preservation. Philadelphians come here to live from everywhere in the world for our balance of art and science, history and technology, mobility and community.
Philadelphia exports ideas, imports opportunity, and powers itself on green energy. Climate-adaptive agriculture supports us, and waste is minimized and repurposed.
Multi-generational communities thrive amid historic architecture, while racial-wealth and gender-pay gaps have closed. Children dream of a future better than ours, with access to high-quality education.
A culture of creation, advanced research and entrepreneurship means Philadelphia exports ideas, imports opportunity and powers itself on green energy.
We drive innovation. We steward beauty. We build things.
Most commerce happens virtually, but Philadelphia’s geography keeps us competitive — inland from the worst of extreme weather and in the middle of one of the world’s best transited and culturally significant urban clusters. Above all, Philly still has soul. We rally behind the underdog. We’re passionate. We still boo — and cheer — when the situation calls. We look toward the next 250 years.
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