Chicago
The Urban Impact of Richard Daley
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, who recently announced he would not seek re-election, has had a major impact on the city and its urban form, according to this review.
The Urban and Civic Impact of Daniel Burnham
A documentary airing nationally on PBS today looks at the work of Daniel Burnham and the emergence of the urban planning profession.
Landmark Mall to Become Mixed-Use Village
Randhurst Mall was the first enclosed mall in the Chicago Area. Today, developers are replacing the mall with an open-air, mixed-use project with a traditional Main Street-style design.
Bike Sharing Rolls Out in Chicago
The Chicago Tribune interviews Josh Squire, the entrepreneur responsible for Chicago's bike sharing pilot program.
More evidence that walkability is marketable
A few days ago, I was in a Chicago neighborhood called Lincoln Square, on Lincoln Avenue just south of Lawrence Avenue. Lincoln Avenue looks like many posh urban neighborhoods- narrow, walkable streets inhabited by gelato-eating, prosperous-looking people. Even on a weeknight, the shops and streets of Lincoln Square betrayed no evidence of a recession.*
The Busiest Street In Town
Few children’s books skillfully cover the subject of urban planning. Chicago's Wacker Manual for the Plan of Chicago (1911), David Macaulay’s lavishly illustrated City:A Story of Roman Planning and Construction (1974), and most recently, Planetizen's Where Things Are, From Near to Far (2008) are standouts.
A Sinking Ship? Heading Chicago's Transit Agency
Like many transit agencies across the country, the economic recession has limited the capacity of Chicago's CTA to maintain itself. Governing talks with the man tasked with saving -- and recreating -- the troubled system.
Chicago Drivers Inch Toward Congestion Pricing
After three years of false starts, there is renewed interest in a congestion pricing plan for the Chicago area.
BRT Money Heads to Chicago and New York
Chicago and New York City have secured funds form the Federal Transportation Administration to build bus rapid transit systems.
Wal-Mart Gains Foothold In Lucrative Urban Market
Wal-Mart is succeeding in convincing Chicago politicians that it will create sustainable "employment and revenue for the city." The predominantly suburban-based supercenter chain is trying to move into denser urban areas.
Mall Makeovers, For Better or Worse
Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin reviews a few mall retrofits and finds that breathing life back into a dead mall can be a challenge.
The Importance Of Locally Owned Banks
What is the toll that communities, especially poorer ones pay when locally owned banks with local ties are taken over by larger ones? This article describes how the loss of just such a bank has affected Maywood, a working class suburb of Chicago.
Sustainably Retrofitting a Mid-Century Skyscraper
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) were brought on board to bring a 1958 SOM skyscraper up to LEED standards. Architects found that the original plans, which weren't implemented, looked pretty good by today's standards.
Mayor Daley, a Retrospective
Mayor Daley's successes in downtown Chicago have attracted attention worldwide, but what about the rest of the city? Greg Hinz and Steven R. Strahler say Daley has fixed downtown but not the city's neighborhoods.
Development Proposed Near Wrigley Field Not As Bad As Feared
A proposed hotel, apartment and retail complex right across from Chicago's Wrigley Field has many in the city up in arms about what they fear will be just another shopping mall ruining the area's urban feel. But those fears are unfounded.
A New Neighborhood for Chicago
The site of an ex-steel factory, the 369-acre South Works site is being rebuilt as an urban nieghborhood.
Why Burnham's Big Plan Worked
Aaron M. Renn reflects on the success of Daniel Burnham's plan of Chicago, and why. Perhaps it was the lack of government involvement in the planning process?
Chicago, Capital of Green Roofs?
Chicago City Hall boasts one of the world's most famous green roofs. As a result, the city has a reputation for being the capital of green roofs. But as architecture critic Blair Kamin notes from a bird's eye view, that's not exactly the case.
Renovating Chicago's Union Station
Chicago's Union Station is announcing a potential upgrade in order to prepare for future high speed rail construction, says The Christian Science Monitor.
Chicago Mayor Blasts Change to Teacher Residency Rule
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley says recently approved legislation that allows city school teachers to live outside Chicago borders will help to decimate the city's middle class.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
