A Chicago walking and biking trail along a former railroad right-of-way has been a labor of love for local residents.

A group of community advocates is at the heart of a 30-mile trail that traces the path of the former Chicago Great Western Railway. “Broken into two segments due to geographical hurdles, this trail is a labor of love, continuously championed by the Friends of the Great Western Trail.”
As Maya Norris explains in a post on the Active Transportation Alliance blog, “There are no plans to connect the two sections of the trail because the DuPage County Airport stands between them.” However, Friends of the Great Western Trail works with local jurisdictions to improve safety and signage on the two segments of the trail.
The group says reaching out to elected officials has been key to their efforts. “Don Kirchenberg, chairman of the Friends of the Great Western Trail, emphasized that collaboration and communication have been crucial to improving the safety and connectivity of the trail.”
FULL STORY: Community spirit pushes the Great Western Trail forward

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

Making Mobility More Inclusive
A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service