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

Chicago Intercity Rail

Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects

Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.

September 25, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Google maps street view of San Francisco alleyway.

Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’

A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?

September 26, 2023 - Fast Company

Google street view of yellow "End Freeway 1/4 mile" sign on 90 freeway in Los Angeles, California.

Proposal Would Transform L.A.’s ‘Freeway to Nowhere’ Into Park, Housing

A never-completed freeway segment could see new life as a mixed-use development with housing, commercial space, and one of the county’s largest parks.

September 26, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Blue and green city bus blurred in transit on New York City street.

How to Measure Transit Equity

A new report highlights the need to go beyond traditional equity metrics to assess how public transit systems are serving the lowest-income and most disadvantaged riders.

12 minutes ago - Mineta Institute

Sketch of proposed city with buildings, trees, and people.

Why Brand New Cities Won’t Solve Our Urban Problems

Building cities takes time and resources. Why not spend them on fixing the ones we have?

1 hour ago - The Atlantic

Historic brick sugar refinery building redeveloped with glass office tower inside and yellow Domino Sugar sign

Former Brooklyn Sugar Refinery Reopens as All-Electric Office Tower

A historic building was reimagined as a 15-story office tower powered by renewable energy.

2 hours ago - Untapped Cities

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.