Architecture Critic Finds Faults in Chicago Placemaking

Architecture Critic Blair Kamin wants more from Make Way for People, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's placemaking program, and finds faults with the Lincoln Hub as an example of tactical urbanism.

2 minute read

July 7, 2015, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Chicago Tribune Architecture Critic and Pulitzer Prize winner Blair Kamin provides a critical take on the city of Chicago's efforts to create people places around the city.

Three years after its launch in 2012, according to Kamin, "the innovative program, a highly visible part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's push to make car-dominated city streets more attractive to pedestrians, remains an underachiever."

Kamin blames the underwhelming performance both on quality and quantity. On the latter, Chicago has managed to create only six "people spots"—compared to more than 50 parklets in San Francisco. Moreover, adds Kamin, the design of Chicago's people spots "ranges from so-so to striking….Most are dressed-up sidewalk cafes — long on the cliche of tables and chairs, short on creativity."

Kamin also does a good job laying out the case for placemaking efforts like those supported by Make Way for People, even if the program could achieve more tangible results for its cause. For instance, Kamin notes that a study by the Metropolitan Planning Council and Sam Schwartz Engineering found positive survey results from businesses located near the program's initial projects. In another show of support for the concept, Kamin also recommends ways Chicago could accelerate the program's rate of success.

In a separate article published in concert with the Make Way for People criticism, Kamin also provides a withering critique of the Lincoln Hub project, which transformed an intersection on the North Side with polka dots and bollards to make space for pedestrians but has provoked ire from locals and commuters. Kamin cites the Lincoln Hub as an example of tactical urbanism, noting its success in other cities, like New York, but wondering whether it can achieve similar positive effects in Chicago.

Sunday, July 5, 2015 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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

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.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

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.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

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?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

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.

30 minutes ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

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.

1 hour ago - Cities Today

View from inside car's driver seat while driving.

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians

Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.

2 hours ago - Bloomberg CityLab

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.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA