Next Great City 2015, a partnership of over 100 local organizations, has released its agenda as a sort of challenge to the next mayor of Philadelphia. Their third collective effort since 2007, NGC’s various development organizations gathered this morning in Liberty Place to introduce the agenda’s six initiatives. They cover diverse sectors, but long-term sustainability is the main goal.

A major developmental order of business for Philly’s 99th mayor is healthy homes. Architect Kiki Bolender cited that 38 percent of single property homeowners make less than 30k annually. With rent and real estate prices surging in neighborhoods across the city, NGC is calling for more access to affordable housing repairs.

The agenda wants the next administration to ensure that free drinking water and nutritious food are available to all of Philadelphia’s school students. On the economic front, the Sustainable Business Network of Philadelphia advocates strengthening the neighborhood economic climate with fewer restrictions on small businesses.

NGC’s agenda also champions more trail and bike lane access, cleaner public spaces, and even storm preparedness.

“It’s an issue of equity. It’s an issue of environmental and economic justice,” said Amy Laura Cahn, staff attorney at the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, on the issue of stormwater and flood mitigation in low-lying neighborhoods. Cahn spoke to AL DÍA about the central theme uniting the NGC’s plan, and whether or not the mayoral candidates are ready to deal with the issues.

“Sustainability has been part of our dialogue for eight years,” she said. “We can’t afford to go backwards. I’m hoping the mayoral candidates are prepared [to continue], because the residents are.”