Chicago

Chicago Harbor, City Skyline, Illinois

Comprehensive Building Code Update Approved in Chicago

Chicago's new building code is hailed as a major achievement for the city, labor unions, and the construction and development industries in the city.

April 12, 2019 - MAPS

Chicago Commute

Bus/Bike Lanes Find Support in Chicago

A temporary bus/bike lane experiment could lead to permanent additions around the city.

April 11, 2019 - The Chicago Tribune

Chicago Mayor

Mayoral Election Likely to Have Consequences for Chicago Mega-Development

The most recent citywide election in Chicago was considered a referendum on the old way of operating the city. The $6 billion Lincoln Yards project, on the brink of approval, could be included in that referendum.

April 5, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Jackson Park Chicago

Obama Presidential Center Still Facing Controversies

The project will bring money and visitors to Chicago’s South Side, but the community wants more assurances that the future of residents will be a priority.

March 25, 2019 - Next City

Chicago Street

Report Identifies Priorities for Chicago's Mobility Future

A new mobility task force report looks to guide the city toward a more multimodal transportation system that addresses accessibility and congestion.

March 22, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Divvy

Lyft to Help Expand Bike Share Citywide in Chicago

A sponsorship deal from Lyft, which owns the bike share provider Motivate, would expand Divvy bike service to every ward in Chicago.

March 21, 2019 - Streetsblog Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Proposed Mega-Development Would Expand Chicago's Skyline

The One Central development would transform 34 acres over Metro tracks near Soldier Field.

March 16, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Hospital Signs

Black Residents Have to Travel Farther for Trauma Care in Chicago

The opening of a new trauma center at the University of Chicago Hospital means many South Siders are closer to care, but there’s still a wide disparity between the distance white and black Chicagoans must travel for emergency care.

March 14, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Accessory Dwelling Unit

What a Different Approach to ADUs Could Mean for Chicago

Architect Larry Kearns argues that re-legalizing accessory dwelling units in Chicago could do a lot to promote affordable housing and economic diversity.

March 13, 2019 - Chicago Cityscape

Chicago ADA Access

Comic Reveals the Difficulties of Navigating the World With Special Needs

A comic strip called "Spinning Our Wheels' explores the difficulties of navigating Chicago with a special needs child.

March 12, 2019 - Chicago Reader

Electricity Pylon

350-Mile Underground Electricity Transmission Line Would Connect Iowa to Chicago

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Jingoli Power, and Siemens Financial Services are pitching underground electricity transmission infrastructure for the midwest.

March 12, 2019 - Des Moines Register

Chicago Bungalows

Mapped: Chicago's Shrinking Middle Class

In 1970, half of the city's census tracts were middle-income. Now, only 16 percent of them remain so. Polarization between the well-off and the poor essentially splits the city in two.

March 3, 2019 - WBEZ 91.5

Shibuya, Tokyo

Dog Parks and Gentrification

When is a dog park more than just a park for dogs?

February 28, 2019 - CityLab

Chicago River

Tribune Megasite Could Transform Downtown Chicago

A huge piece of real estate along the Chicago River is primed to host a new mixed-use campus.

February 23, 2019 - Crain's Chicago Business

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago's Largest-Ever Tax Increment Financing District Approved for Lincoln Yards Development

The new TIF is expected to generate $900 million. Opponents wanted to wait until a new mayor is elected to decide on the TIF.

February 21, 2019 - Chicago Sun-Times

2008 Election

Obama Presidential Center Dealt Legal Setback

There are more than a few reasons to think that the Obama Presidential Center won't go the way of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, which gave up and decamped for Los Angeles.

February 21, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Lakefront Trail

Legislation Would Require Bird-Safe Designs for New Buildings

Chicago is the home of a political movement to protect birds from the hazards presented by glass-sheathed modern buildings.

February 12, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Copernicus Sentinel

Friday Eye Candy: A Polar Vortex and an Atmospheric River Leave a Mark

The cities of Chicago and Los Angeles were in rare form after winter storms passed through in recent days.

February 8, 2019 - The Orange County Register

Snow Removal

Polar Vortex Shuts Down Detroit's Q-Line Streetcar

Other polar vortex-related transit news included fire on the tracks in Chicago.

January 31, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Divvy Chicago

Public Engagement and Bike Share Planning

New York and Chicago asked residents to suggest sites for new docking stations. Most were not put at those locations, but that doesn’t mean collecting public input is not a useful and important part of the planning process, say researchers.

January 22, 2019 - CityLab

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.