One of Chicago architect Daniel Burnham's lesser-known achievements was a rethinking of the National Mall, bringing ideas- like a reflecting pool- from his designs for the Columbian Exhibition of 1893.
"When Barack Obama takes the oath of office Tuesday, he'll look down the National Mall (left) and toward an echo of a historic landscape that once stood not far from his house on Chicago's South Side: The World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, called "the White City" (below) for its spectacular ensemble of temporary, Beaux-Arts buildings
The fair, masterminded by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, was a milestone in the history of urban planning, as well as a reaction to the soot-covered, "Gray City" of skyscrapers that had just arisen in the Loop and drawn criticism for blotting out the sky and clogging streets with traffic
Around a watery basin, Burnham and his fellow planners drew together large, low-slung exposition halls that shared a common height and classical vocabulary. Flanking one end of the basin was a domed administration building. Rising out of the other end was a colossal gilded statue, "The Republic," meant to symbolize national unity.
If that now-vanished tableau and its dazzling combination of architecture, water features and sculpture sounds like the portion of the National Mall between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, it is no coincidence."
FULL STORY: How Chicago landscape inspired D.C
Grand Ambitions for $7 Billion Investment in Washington D.C.'s Union Station
The Washington Post provides all the details, renderings, history, commentary, and more that one could want about Amtrak's proposed $7 billion investment in Daniel Burnham's historic Union Station.
Redesigning the "Fascist" Park in Front of the White House
The National Capital Planning Commission invites the public to weigh-in on five proposals for improvements to the Ellipse, the large public park between White House and the National Mall.
Public Lands in the United States, Part Two: The Conservation Turn and ‘America’s Best Idea’
As Western expansion reached its geographic terminus, the U.S. government began tightening rules around land use and designating protected areas such as national parks and wilderness areas, often displacing local Native Americans in favor of a Wester
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?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie