An effort is underway to reintroduce a natural habitats along a stretch of postindustrial Chicago River canal-scape. Floating garden modules are being used to attract species back to the area.
Chicago's Shedd Aquarium and Urban Rivers have joined forces to implement what Patrick M. O'Connell calls "the beginning of a vision to turn the old industrial channel on Goose Island's eastern edge into a 'wild mile,' an eco-park of floating plants, wetlands, kayak piers and public walkways."
Shedd's floating garden plan calls for the addition of "260 square feet of native plants such as swamp rose mallow, marsh marigold, Dudley's rush and queen-of-the-prairie to the 1,500 square feet installed a year ago by Urban Rivers."
While the design is "wildlife-first," it also promises to rejuvenate the former industrial district for human use. "With people now flocking to the banks of the river downtown along the booming Riverwalk, the Urban Rivers and Shedd projects are designed to boost the river habitat while delivering appealing, accessible experiences to the more industrial, less trafficked stretches of the river."
FULL STORY: A 'wild mile' on the Chicago River? It might be closer than you think
North Branch of the Chicago River Transforming Into a ‘Wild Mile’
A remarkable transformation is underway along the North Branch of the Chicago River, after being channelized and brutalized for well over a century.
Mayor Emanuel Wants to Open More of the Chicago River to the Public
Plans to double the length of publicly accessible riverfront will be included in Mayor Rahm Emanuel's State of the City address tonight.
Embracing Rivers as a Vehicle for Urban Revitalization
A new study includes urban rivers as a potential powerful amenity for economic development and revitalization. The city of Chicago has already taken note.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
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Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
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What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
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Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
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City of Portland
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