Philly's Most Educational Neighborhood: The History of University City Quickly Explained

Saturday, September 7 2024

University City, located between 30th and 40th streets (approximate), is a rapidly changing neighborhood known for its schools (duh), diversity, and innovative development. 

University City was initially called Blockley Township and was basically a bunch of farmland with only a few small settlements. But by the 19th century, the city’s westward expansion led to the 1854 incorporation of Blockley Township into the Philadelphia municipality.

Then, in 1872, the area’s transformation began with the move of the University of Pennsylvania from Old City to its modern-day footprint. Penn's relocation—driven by the need for more space and a desire to create a more unified campus environment that was isolated from the bustle of Old City—marked the beginning of the area’s path toward becoming the academic center it is today. And, of course, the area around Penn's campus became further developed and populated. 

A glimpse into the campus of the University of Pennsylvania---the cornerstone of University City's roots.

In the 50s, urban planners and community leaders sought to revitalize the neighborhood through good ol’ gentrification. The neighborhood had begun to decline due to white flight and systemic disinvestment, so, in turn, it received the formal name of "University City" to emphasize the presence of the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.

Rebranding to "University City" helped label the neighborhood as a place of thriving academics—it's home to an ivy, after all. Institutions like the University City Science Center were established, further cementing the neighborhood’s reputation as a place for innovation.

With growth driven by the expansion of Penn, Drexel, and medical institutions like CHOP, new development projects, such as Schuylkill Yards and uCity Square, have further solidified the neighborhood status in the city. At this point, the boundaries of University City have basically pushed past their original border at 40th Street. 

btw shout out to 34th street station.