Business Improvement District Website Design & Development

Building a Thriving University City for Everyone.

University City District (UCD) is a business improvement district dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Philadelphia’s University City. Through support for local businesses, the creation of vibrant public spaces, and engaging community events, UCD fosters a more dynamic and connected neighborhood.

Services

Web Strategy, Web Design, Web Development

Problem

UCD’s previous website lacked clarity, accessibility, and mobile responsiveness. Users had difficulty understanding the organization’s mission, navigating key content, and identifying ways to get involved or offer support. These challenges made it difficult for UCD to connect meaningfully with their audience.

Our Approach

We delivered a modern website design focused on usability, accessibility, and user engagement. The new site effectively communicates UCD’s mission, resonates with key audiences, and streamlines pathways to donate, participate, and learn more.

01

Research & Strategy

We started by talking to UCD staff, reviewing their content, and checking how people used the old site. We wanted to know: What do visitors need? What’s missing? How can we help?

A spider web design of the mission map of the website vision

Understanding the Awareness Gap

Many people were unaware of everything UCD offers. The website was confusing—especially for new visitors—making it hard to find services and understand UCD’s impact on the neighborhood.

University-City-District-nonprofit-original-website-design-laptop-edited

Uncovering Navigation Challenges

The old site’s navigation was messy and confusing. Visitors didn’t know where to click, and finding information felt frustrating—especially on mobile, where the experience was even worse.

Mockup of the University City District original website on a laptop with the logo behind
University-City-District-flat-version-1:3:4-site-map-edited@2x

Making Resources Easy to Find

We simplified the site structure so it’s easy to find information about events, business support, and community programs. Whether you’re a resident, visitor, or business owner, you can quickly see what’s happening and how to get involved.

The new site is clean, focused, and intuitive. Key sections like community events, business resources, and the neighborhood guide are front and center—no more clicking in circles.

Flat design of the first, third, and final version of the website’s site map
University City District patrol officer smiling.
02

Website Design

We made the design bright, bold, and simple—just like University City itself. It feels modern but welcoming, with easy-to-use navigation.

University-City-District-nonprofit-homepage-website-design-iPhone-wide

Guiding Users with Visuals

Big images and clear headings guide visitors where they need to go, making the site feel alive and easy to explore.

iPhone mockup of the homepage overlaying graphic of UCD letters
University-City-District-nonprofit-image-call-out-website-design-iPad-no-shadow
University-City-District-nonprofit-image-call-out-website-design-image-top

Highlighting Major Events

We built dedicated pages for major events, using photos and stories to capture what makes each one unique—and why it matters to the community.

iPad mockup of the dining page of the website circle graphic of University City District words behind.
Image highlight of dining page of woman bartending.
Single large image of 3 grid flat designs highlighting Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll page on a solid background.
Right image of 3 grid flat designs highlighting website footer; University City District cityscape on a solid background.
University-City-District-ADA-color-grid

Designing for Accessibility

We prioritized accessibility, ensuring the site works seamlessly for everyone—regardless of their device or ability.

University City District ADA color grid
03

Website Development

Behind the scenes, we made sure the website is easy to update and built for long-term success.

University-City-District-nonprofit-flat-backend-website-design
University-City-District-nonprofit-flat-frontend-website-design

Easy Content Management

We moved from Drupal to WordPress, blending Gutenberg blocks with custom editing tools to keep things flexible and simple. Now, UCD staff can make updates fast—no tech wizardry required.

Larger scale flat design of the backend of the neighborhood website design page overlaying pattern
Larger scale flat design of the front-end of the neighborhood website design page overlaying pattern

Smarter Search Experience

The new Help Desk makes it easy to find answers fast—with smarter search features and a simple way for visitors to ask questions when they need help.

04

In Sum

UCD’s new website isn’t just a facelift—it’s a full transformation. It simplifies access to vital information, strengthens community engagement, and brings the energy of University City to life online. Now, whether you're searching for events, business resources, or ways to give back, it’s easier—and more inviting—than ever.

Push10 team with client at event

"We wanted a website that matched the quality of our work and allowed us to share stories in a simple, elegant, and modern way. Push10 delivered exactly that. We’re thrilled with how it turned out and excited about how it will help us connect with our community and stakeholders."

University City District

Chris Richman, Vice PresDirector, Marketing and Communications