Chicago
Illinois Pairs With Zipcar
Zipcar is a car sharing service based in Cambridge, Mass. The program allows you access to a car for either several hours or the whole day. Illinois contracted with the company giving its state employees access to nearly 500 vehicles.
The Growing Food Truck Industrial Complex
The food truck phenomenon is here to stay and stimulating tangential industries that include truck outfitters, permit expediters, lawyers lobbyists, website designers, and marketing professionals.
"Over the Top": Downtown Chicago Considers Congestion Fee
While some may grudgingly eat the extra fee to park downtown on weekdays, others may look toward more reliance on the El--the desired response. But is a flat congestion fee on top of already existing parking rates the best way to go?
$2 Congestion Fee When Parking In Downtown Chicago
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants to use congestion fees to help fund a new rail station and the city's first bus rapid transit line. Anyone parking in a downtown lot will be required to pay an additional $2 on top of the existing parking fee.
Public Transit Required for Chicago City Employees
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has mandated that city employees on the clock be required to ride Chicago Transit trains and buses, with a few exceptions, in order to get reimbursed. BJ Lutz reports.
The Top 15 Most Stressful Cities
Forbes Magazine picks 15 of the most stressful cities in the United States. To come up with the data, "we analyzed quality-of-life data from the 40 largest metropolitan statistical areas," says Beth Greenfield.
Rahm Emanuel Expands Chicago's Commitment to Bike-Centric Development
Chicago's flat topography makes it ideal for bike riding. Now Rahm Emanuel and Gabe Klein's new public policies aim to grow their use. The city consistently scores as highly in bike-friendly rankings as New York, Austin, or Denver.
Could a Commuter Tax on Chicago's Suburbanites Work?
Chicago aldermen are toying with just that idea, which would involve a one-percent income tax on those who work but don't live in the city. Hal Dardick reports on the discussion.
The Cardinal Rules for Climate Action Plans
Any prospect for the green initiatives to produce desired results requires more than just aggressive reduction targets, according to The Economist. It comes down to scope and suitability, the two factors that vary greatly from city to city.
The Buzz on O'Hare International Airport's New On-Site Apiary
GOOD Magazine writes about Chicago's O'Hare International Airport dedicating 2,400 square feet of vacant space to on-site beekeeping.
Booming Exurb Finally Suffers With Economic Downturn
From 2000 to 2010, Kendall County, Illinois was the fastest growing county in the country. Today, it seems the downturn has caught up with Kendall.
Take a Ride on Chicago's Elegant Electroliner
Writer J.J. Sedelmaier recalls riding the beautifully streamlined Electroliner trains, which ran on the same tracks as other Chicago rail transit but were a special event all to themselves.
The Overdue Pedestrianization of Chicago's Streets
To be released at the end of the year, the Draft Chicago Pedestrian Plan will primarily address safety issues that street users experience for decades.
Bringing New Life to Urban Rail Lines
Cities across the country are breathing new life into abandoned and disused inner city rail lines.
Chicago Opens Doors and Land to Urban Gardening
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has proposed a change to local rules that would allow urban gardens to expand and sell produce within the city.
Giant Marilyn Monroe Statue 'Not an Upgrade'
A new 26-foot statue of Marilyn Monroe -- recreating a famous film scene in which wind blows up the star's skirt -- has been unveiled in Chicago. Tourists seem to like it, but others argue it's too kitschy.
High Rise Boomlet Bringing Good and Bad to Chicago
High rise apartment construction is set to take off again in Chicago, though it's unclear for how long and whether the resulting projects will have a positive lasting impact on the city.
Republicans Opening the Door to Public/Private Partnerships
Senator Mark Kirk presented details yesterday about his plan to lease public transportation assets to private companies or partner with them to expand transit.
Planning for Pedestrians in Chicago
Hit-and-run accidents in Chicago are double the national average. That's just one factor as the city develops its first ever comprehensive pedestrian plan.
BRT Boom in U.S.
A new study says that Los Angeles, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Eugene and Pittsburgh are leading the surge with the best bus rapid transit (BRT) systems in the nation.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
