Illinois
The End of the Illiana Expressway Is Nigh
According to a recent op-ed, the Illiana Expressway "was built upon faulty assumptions, and motivated largely by crony intentions."
Meet the 606: Chicago's New Elevated Bikeway and Park
Following in the footsteps of the High Line in New York City, Chicago opened a 2.7-mile elevated park, which has already been extremely popular in its first week. Here we round up the initial reactions to The 606, as the new park is called.
New Section of the Chicago Riverwalk Open to the Public
A newly opened section of the Chicago Riverwalk lets the public get up close and personal with the Chicago River. And there's more to come.
Trendy Chicago Taco Bell to Serve Alcoholic Drinks
Would you like a cerveza with that? A hip neighborhood in Chicago will play host to the first alcohol-serving Taco Bell. Isolated incident, or the future of fast food?
To Protect Pedestrians, Keep the Cameras
Active Transportation Alliance, a Chicago pedestrian advocacy group, urges Mayor Rahm Emanuel to improve red light cameras rather than remove them. Despite complaints from drivers, well-advertised cameras can reduce pedestrian fatalities.
Environmental Review Backs Flyover Plans for El Tracks on Chicago's Northside
After an initial proposal a year ago, prompting immediate and strong criticism, the Chicago Transit Authority has completed its environmental assessment of a proposal designed to improve service capacity at the infamous bottleneck of Clark Junction.
Better Late Than Never: A Regional Transit Plan for Metropolitan Detroit
Detroit is infamous for its lack of regional transit (or local transit for that matter), but the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan this month launched a master planning process that could finally fill some of the region's gaps.
154 Cities Earn Marks in Updated Bike Score Rankings
Walk Score released an updated ranking of the best cities for biking—including Bike Scores for a total of 154 U.S. cities—in time for Bike to Work Week and National Bike Month.
Open Space Preservation Creates Rift Between Local, County Officials
Local officials in Lake County, located north of Chicago, are concerned about the revenue implications of a decision to preserve a parcel of land they view as a potential commercial development.
Bay Area's Newest Commuter Rail Service on Display
The Northwestern Pacific RR served Marin and Sonoma counties and the North Coast in the 1890s. The route of the new SMART train, while not as long, will run in the same right-of-way, starting next year. One new train was on display in San Rafael.
State Bill Would Add TIFs Along Transit Lines in Chicago
Expanded use of tax increment financing is on the table in Chicago—a city that invests less than its peers on building and running transit.
Welcome to the 'Age of Animals as Infrastructure'
Animals are more than just guests or co-habitants in our cities, according to an article in New Scientist—they're a critical component of the infrastructure that keeps cities running.
Mapping Chicago's 375 Tax Increment Financing Projects
A new mapping project allows new access to information about Chicago's controversial tax increment financing mechanism. Now at least the debate will include visuals.
Study Finds New Evidence that Place Determines Income Mobility
A new study by Harvard economists provides the best evidence yet that where children grow up matters to the outcomes of their lives.
Park Advocates Face Uphill Battle Against Obama Library, Lucas Museum
Geoff Edgers details the challenge ahead for park advocates fighting to protect Chicago open space from two powerful forces: the White House and George Lucas.
Even Chicago Struggles with Transit Oriented Development
As Chicago's population slowly dwindles, Yonah Freemark argues that the city needs to take advantage of one of its greatest assets: its transit network. Housing for residents of all incomes near transit stops may be the key.
Report: Complete Streets Deliver More Than Just Good Vibes
Better safety and multimodal ease are not the only benefits offered by complete streets. According to this report, on the average they pay for themselves and then some.
Why Is Minneapolis Growing Faster Than Chicago?
The data shows Minneapolis recovered from the recession more quickly than Chicago. And its growth rates continue to surpass those of its larger neighbor. Why did this happen, and which policies deserve credit?
Trends Toward Single, Car-Free Living in Chicago
Chicago magazine reports on how developers are responding to a growing share of Chicago residents who don't own a car.
Slow, Hazardous Progress for Chicago's Navy Pier Flyover Project
A report on the progress so far on the Navy Pier Flyover, a half-mile bridge for recreational users on Chicago's Lakefront Trail.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
