As part of an initiative called Choose Chicago, meant to boost the city's draw for tourists, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is pursuing a plan to light the city up
"Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s latest idea to boost Chicago’s tourism numbers involves finding a company to light up city bridges, buildings, CTA platforms and other locations," reports John Byrne.
Mayor Emanuel hopes the idea would "transform the world's opinion of Chicago." To pursue the idea, "[the] city has put out a request for proposals for a 'city-wide lighting framework plan' to highlight Chicago as 'an iconic metropolis.'"
"The city also urges those interested to come with plans to light up “iconic structures,” listing Willis Tower, Aqua Tower, the modern wing addition at the Art Institute and the Frank Gehry-designed Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park as examples of notable Chicago architecture that might benefit from a little brightening."
FULL STORY: Chicago wants to light up 'iconic metropolis' for tourists
Chicago Rat Hole Becomes Viral Urban Sensation
The rodent-shaped sidewalk imprint has captured hearts and imaginations on social media but has proven a headache for neighbors.
LEDs, Downward Lights Changing the Night in Chicago
The nighttime illumination of Chicago is almost finished with a complete overhaul of its streetlights, producing a dramatic effect in the nighttime environment of the city.
Chicago Could Lose the Blues
An editorial in Crain's suggests that by not taking full advantage of its history with the Blues, Chicago is wasting a precious cultural resource and missing an opportunity for tourism dollars.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
New Jersey’s second-largest city bans standalone data centers
Jersey City will continue to allow co-location facilities, such as those meant for research institutions that store their own data.
Amtrak not solely to blame for New Jersey commuter rail's unreliability, report finds
A new study from the Garden State Initiative found that NJ Transit’s budget grew 20% across a 4 year period, but reliability declined significantly over the same period.
EPA erases limits on planet-warming pollution from power plants
Under Monday’s plan, power plants would still have some limits on how much mercury, arsenic and other contaminants they can emit.
Phoenix announces new on-demand transit service, more frequent RAPID buses
Both new services will launch in October, and are part of Phoenix's Project Effective Access Solutions for Easing Congestion.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association