Urban Rivers

A conceptual rendering of the Wild Mile river restoration shows newly built docks and walkways and greenery along the Chicago River.

North Branch of the Chicago River Transforming Into a ‘Wild Mile’

A remarkable transformation is underway along the North Branch of the Chicago River, after being channelized and brutalized for well over a century.

July 20, 2022 - Fast Company

Rendering of Completing the Loop river plan for Pittsburgh, PA

“Completing the Loop” Plan Wins National Award for Excellence in Sustainability

Riverlife and evolveEA were honored by the American Planning Association (APA) for the plan, which outlines a 10-year vision to connect, enhance, and expand Pittsburgh’s network of riverfront parks, trails, and public green spaces.

May 9, 2022 - evolveEA.com

San Antonio, Texas, Riverwalk, Evening

San Antonio Officials Remove Invasive Snails During River Walk Draining

As part of the biannual cleaning of the city's prized River Walk, San Antonio officials removed hundreds of invasive snails from the channel.

February 3, 2022 - My San Antonio

Goose Island Chicago

A 'Wild Mile' on the Chicago River Utilizes Floating Gardens

An effort is underway to reintroduce a natural habitats along a stretch of postindustrial Chicago River canal-scape. Floating garden modules are being used to attract species back to the area.

July 11, 2018 - The Chicago Tribune

Riverfront Open Space

Mayor Emanuel Wants to Open More of the Chicago River to the Public

Plans to double the length of publicly accessible riverfront will be included in Mayor Rahm Emanuel's State of the City address tonight.

April 16, 2018 - Chicago Sun Times

No More Whitewater in Dallas

A whitewater feature built into the Trinity River in Dallas will have to go—it rendered the river unnavigable and thus breached the terms granted by a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit.

June 15, 2017 - The Dallas Morning News

Whitewater

Whitewater Park Snafu Leads to Legal Conflicts on Dallas' Trinity River

A seemingly innocuous idea for water recreation has turned into a legal headache for the city of Dallas. Still, the Army Corps of Engineers isn't budging on its declaration of the river as navigable.

March 21, 2017 - The Dallas Morning News

Chicago Riverwalk

Embracing Rivers as a Vehicle for Urban Revitalization

A new study includes urban rivers as a potential powerful amenity for economic development and revitalization. The city of Chicago has already taken note.

December 19, 2016 - Chicago Magazine

Chattahoochee River

'Vision 53' Plan Would Connect Atlanta to the Chattahoochee River

A river flows through Atlanta, but few of the city's residents have any access to it. A new vision plan produced by the advocacy group Chattahoochee Now aims to change that.

October 12, 2016 - WABE

Chicago Bikers

Watch: How the Chicago Riverwalk Project Will Transform the City

Sasaki Associates has produced a video about the under-construction Chicago Riverwalk. The lesson for all cities from the video, as well as the project: "If you can imagine it, you can built it."

September 3, 2014 - The Architect's Newspaper

Study Shows Public Health Benefits of Recreational Facilities on Urban Rivers

A new study finds that the cost of building urban river parkways and other recreational facilities is more than offset by the savings in public health costs, such as obesity.

August 7, 2014 - LA.Streetsblog

Checking in on Chicago’s Riverwalk Extension Plans

The already brilliant city of Chicago is soon to get another big draw—the extension of a riverwalk promenade between State and Lake streets.

March 21, 2014 - Chi.Streetsblog

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.