Illinois

Environmental Justice

The Return of Social Justice to the Causes of Environmentalism

The Trump Administration's politics could provide a nudge to bring environmentalism back to its roots in social justice.

December 19, 2016 - The Atlantic

Coming to Chicago's Grant Park: A 'Health Park'

A proposal to build a new "health park" in Downtown's Grant Park is still in the early phases,

December 18, 2016 - DNAInfo

Englewood

New Film Documents the Chicago Neighborhood Demolished to Make Way for Railroads

David Schalliol, director of the documentary, 'The Area,' talks about the impact of a railroad expansion that demolished the homes of 400 families on the South Side of Chicago.

December 14, 2016 - Chicagoist

Englewood Southside Neighborhood

More $1 Vacant Lots for Sale in Chicago

With some 20,000 vacant lots located around the city, Chicago is expanding the Large Lots Program that allows property owners to buy nearby lots for $1.

December 14, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

West Side Chicago Votes to Tax Itself to Fund Mental Health Services

After the city's government cut funding to mental health services, closing many of the city's clinics, residents of Chicago's West Side voted overwhelmingly to tax their properties to reverse that trend.

December 9, 2016 - Chicago Tonight

Chicago El

Chicago Elevated Train Funding Passes with Unanimous Support

The Chicago City Council has authorized a billion dollars in funding for upgrades and maintenance for the city's Red, Purple, and Brown Line trains; the city hopes to get additional federal funds before Obama leaves office.

December 2, 2016 - Chi.Streetsblog

Chicago Tow Truck

Chicago to Install New Parking Meters to Lessen Impact of Bad Contract

The city of Chicago will install 752 new parking meters in 2017—but still fall far from the Shoupian ideal.

November 29, 2016 - DNAinfo Chicago

Goose Island Chicago

Map: Chicago Has a Lot of Developable Land

An interactive map from Chicago Cityscape shows all of the city's parking lots, vacant spaces, and city-owned land. Not all of it is truly vacant, or developable, but the map shows how much scope remains for new construction.

November 27, 2016 - Chicago Cityscape

The Cost of Thanksgiving at Whole Foods in Englewood in Chicago

Is Whole Foods making Thanksgiving accessible for residents of Englewood in Chicago?

November 24, 2016 - The Chicago Tribune

Megabus

Megabus Cutting Back Operations in Chicago

The Chicago hub of Megabus operations will be just another stop between Ohio and Texas.

November 18, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

Little Free Library

Chicago to Co-Locate Libraries and Public Housing

The city wants both public uses to be housed in "eye-catching works of architecture."

November 7, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago

Chicago Debates Merits of Expanding the Kennedy Expressway

Chicago's Kennedy Expressway to the O'Hare Airport is getting a $22.9 million lane expansion, some active transit and public transit advocates question the wisdom of that investment.

November 3, 2016 - DNAinfo Chicago

Chicago

The Big Ideas Behind the Proposed 'Chicago Transit Redevelopment Trust'

The Chicago Central Area Committee has thrown its hand into the ring for the "100&Change" grant from the MacArthur Foundation.

October 28, 2016 - Crain's Chicago Business

Chicago

A Plan to Bike the Length of the Chicago River by 2030

The Chicago River is attracting some of the city's most creative visions for the future. The second plan in recent months proves the potential of the river as an open space asset.

October 25, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Changing the Local Investment Game

With the announcement of a $100 million infusion into a local investment fund, Chicago will become the first city to fund in ways usually reserved for the federal government.

October 20, 2016 - Next City

St. Louis

Historic Missouri-Illinois Bridge Completes Rehabilitation Funded by Recovery Act

Remember President Obama's 2009 economic stimulus program? Add another completed project to the program's successes: the restoration of the multi-modal 1874 iconic Eads Bridge connecting St. Louis and East St. Louis, Ill. over the Mississippi River.

October 19, 2016 - AASHTO Journal

Chicago

Chicago TOD Strategies: Sum Of Parts Equal, Greater Than the Whole

A successful TOD will be predicated upon three core elements: 1) development; 2) transit; and 3) transit-friendly amenities. While focus tends to be on the first two elements, this article provides insights on the importance of the third element.

October 17, 2016 - Renewal & Redevelopment (Association for Redevelopment Initiatives)

Self-Driving Car

Responding to a Proposed Ban on Self-Driving Cars in Chicago

Gabe Klein thinks a proposed ban on self-driving cars in Chicago is shortsighted.

October 16, 2016 - Chi.Streetsblog

Hilliard Towers

Chicago's Hilliard Homes Succeed Despite Trend Away From High-Rise Projects

The Hilliard Homes avoided the wrecking ball for 50 years, even while other high-rise projects were knocked down. A Chicago Reader pierce suggests the design and management of these buildings could make them a model for future High-rise projects.

October 12, 2016 - Chicago Reader

Frank Lloyd Wright Oak Park

In Chicago, Suburbs Becoming More Liberal

Chicago suburban residents were long more conservative than the average Illinois voter but, over the last two decades, that has changed.

October 9, 2016 - City Notes

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.