Updated Plans for Chicago's Memorial to Daniel Burnham

A planned memorial for Chicago architect and planner Daniel Burnham got an upgrade this week in the form of a proposed 1.6-mile interactive walking path and new materials for the site of the memorial.

1 minute read

June 28, 2014, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"Five years after unveiling plans for a public memorial to the great Chicago architect and planner Daniel Burnham, the project's backers issued a revised concept Thursday that includes an interactive, 1.6-mile walking trail stretching from Millennium Park to the Museum Campus," reports Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin.

The walking trail, known as View Path, will include 16 stops along the way until it ends at the memorial, known as Burnham View, which is located on the Museum Campus. The entire project is known as View Chicago.

"Like the original plans, designed by Chicago architect David Woodhouse and made public in 2009 on the 100th anniversary of Burnham's influential Plan of Chicago, the new version calls for two tall walls, which would be set at right angles in the Field Museum's north plaza. Visitors would slip between the walls and gaze upon the dazzling cityscape that Burnham did so much to shape."

The announced revisions would change the materials of the wall—from granite to glass.

Friday, June 27, 2014 in Chicago Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

May 7, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

People biking along beach path with moored ship in San Diego, California.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan

The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

May 2, 2025 - SD News

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Pump station with blue pipes coming out of concrete wall in Seattle, Washington.

Seattle Builds Subway-Sized Tunnel — for Stormwater

The $700 million ‘stormwater subway’ is designed to handle overflows during storms, which contain toxic runoff from roadways and vehicles.

May 13 - City Observatory

Sign for Deschutes National Forest in Oregon.

Feds Clear Homeless Encampment in Oregon Forest

The action displaced over 100 people living on national forest land near Bend, Oregon.

May 13 - The New York Times

Seeing the Better City

Is This Urbanism?

Chuck Wolfe ponders a recommended subscription list of Substack urbanists and wonders — as have others — about the utility of the "urbanist" moniker.

May 13 - Resurgence: A Journey via Substack

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.