Andrew Altman, a former city planner in Washington, oversaw ambitious waterfront development there and was widely praised. In a 2004 article, the Washington Business Journal called him "arguably the most sought-after planner in the country."

Altman, 45, a native of Philadelphia, is to be sworn in today to a job he called "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." He said he accepted the position because he was inspired by Nutter's "vision and passion for the city."

Nutter, in announcing the appointment yesterday, said Altman's work in Washington, Oakland, Calif., and Los Angeles, made him a good fit for the job.

"Andy's resume is astounding," Nutter said. "We are quite fortunate to have him here. It's an exciting moment for Philadelphia."

Altman, who grew up in Germantown, holds a bachelor of science degree in geography from Temple University and a master's degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He lives in New York City with his wife and two sons, ages 3 and 6 months. He had been working at a development company he started after he left Washington in 2005.

Nutter said he learned of Altman from former Washington Mayor Anthony A. Williams, who spoke of Altman's heralded work there, first as a city planner and later as chief executive officer of the corporation that oversaw the city's waterfront development.

Nutter said he googled Altman and sent him an e-mail message.

The two met in Philadelphia the next day. Altman had read of Nutter's "call to service" in which he invited "the best and the brightest" to join his administration.

He said he was moved by Nutter's overture. "It's because of him I'm coming home," he said.

In his newly created cabinet-level position, Altman will oversee all city planning and economic development efforts. He will be paid $185,000 annually.

He is the third top city official in the Nutter administration to have worked in Washington. Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey was police chief there, and Managing Director Camille Barnett was Washington's chief management officer.

Though Philadelphia faces economic challenges, such as poverty and unemployment, Altman said he saw promise. He called Philadelphia's downtown tremendous, its neighborhoods extraordinary, and its waterfront a source of potential.

He side-stepped the thorny issue of the two casinos planned for the waterfront, saying he wanted to talk to Nutter first. In general, he said, waterfronts can be "magical" places that hold the key to a city's revitalization.

Altman, who starts work next month, said he was eager to begin his new job.

"For a kid who grew up in Germantown, it's a dream come true."