Toronto, Canada's largest city, could learn a lot by looking at Chicago, writes Margaret Wente.
"If you haven't visited Chicago lately, I highly recommend it. The city is bursting with energy and drive. The public spaces gleam. The downtown is a feast of wonderful architecture from every decade. The shops and restaurants are thronged with happy tourists. Of the waterfront I will say nothing, because the comparison with Toronto, where I live, is too depressing.
Once upon a time, Chicago and Toronto were neck and neck in the great-city stakes. That was a long time ago. Today, Chicago is to Toronto what Toronto is to Winnipeg - nice place, but not in the same league.
In Chicago, public art is mandated for all new construction. The mayor is a big fan of architecture, and the new Millennium Park is a bold, creative - and city-led - triumph. You want green? He put a green roof on city hall and gave developers incentives to do the same. He thought the city airport was a blot on the waterfront, so he had it bulldozed before anyone could stop him.
Why do Chicagoans love Mayor Daley? Because he knows that obsessing about trash is not enough to make a city great. He understands that cities need to compete. Torontonians could, of course, choose not to compete. The price will be that the next generation will choose to move somewhere else."
FULL STORY: What's wrong with Toronto? Nothing a good mayor couldn't fix
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.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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