A remarkable transformation is underway along the North Branch of the Chicago River, after being channelized and brutalized for well over a century.
Nate Berg reports for Fast Company on the transformation of the North Branch of the Chicago River, where “smoke-spewing factories,” barges, and conditions similar to a sewer are giving way to “long linear patches of wetlands,” docks, and a floating walkway.
“This is the first 400 feet of what’s being called the Wild Mile—a grassroots reinvigoration of a stretch of the river that has been off-limits to nearly all forms of life for decades,” writes Berg.
The project, led by the nonprofit Urban Rivers, is planned to revitalize a mile of the river into a floating wetland and trail along the river where it winds around Goose Island. “Thanks to a tax on urban development that helps fund open space, the project has received a significant amount of public funding to get started,” according to Berg.
More habitat restoration and design details are included in the source article. Berg also suggests that the Wild Mile can be a model for other river revitalization projects around the country. More images of the planned project are available on the project website.
FULL STORY: From industrial waste to floating wetlands, how Chicago’s Wild Mile is reinventing the urban river

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
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane
The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont