Illinois

Tiny homes have captured new attention as a potential response to the homelessness and housing supply limitations gripping many U.S. cities. An AIA Chicago design competition recently called on architects to design new prototypes of the tiny home.

March 23, 2016 - The Architect's Newspaper

Black residents of Chicago are leaving for cities like Atlanta in massive numbers—away from the waves of crime tearing apart their hometown.

March 19, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

People use different transportation systems depending on the time of year, yet transportation planning rarely accounts for this seasonal variation.

March 12, 2016 - Metropolitan Planning Council

This month, the city of Chicago will choose a team of engineers to brainstorm an express rail line to O'Hare Airport. The plan has come under criticism for diverting future resources away from transit in low-income areas.

March 10, 2016 - Chi.Streetsblog

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will replace half its rail cars by the year 2020.

March 10, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has eliminated 20 miles of slow zones since 2011.

February 28, 2016 - Chicago Now

OpenGrid gathers together Chicago's open data, letting users specify areas of focus on a map of the city. Users can also overlay different datasets on the same map.

February 27, 2016 - Chicago Magazine

The Vista Tower is expected for completion in 2020, when it will become the world's tallest tower designed by a woman.

February 26, 2016 - The Wall Street Journal

Demolition of the Western Avenue viaduct will begin on March 1. An at-grade intersection will replace the old structure.

February 25, 2016 - City of Chicago

That beautiful new bike lane, known as the 606, in Chicago has brought along with it local concerns about gentrification. The city and a local non-profit have teamed up to create a loan program to help current residents stay ahead of the curve.

February 23, 2016 - DNAinfo Chicago

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel proposed an expansion of the city's Downtown Zoning District this week. The changes would allow taller buildings in a larger swath of the city.

February 19, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

The Chicago Transit Authority has something to celebrate as it tries to dig itself out of a budgetary hole.

February 13, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

The power of open data and mapping is on display in a map by Chicago Cityscape that shows all building permits for affordable housing in Chicago over the past decade.

February 5, 2016 - Chicago Cityscape

Lakeview, located north of Lincoln Park and adjacent to Lake Michigan, leads the city by a wide margin in residential teardowns over the past five years. Local developers are selling new homes for four times the original price paid.

February 3, 2016 - Crain's Chicago Business

Proof that words matter—especially in court—came when Chicago tried to redefine bike lanes as recreational facilities.

January 25, 2016 - Bike Law

After heavy snow, protected bike lanes can be caught in an unfortunate position between roads and sidewalks. More public awareness may help keep them clear for winter cyclists.

January 21, 2016 - Chi.Streetsblog

A study presented last week to the Transportation Research Board shows that the quality of the bike infrastructure has a significant effect for commuting rates and safety.

January 20, 2016 - Streetsblog USA

Any open streets benefits for a proposal to shut down Clark and Addison streets near Wrigley Field would have been secondary to security concerns—but it's all conjecture after the Mayor's Office nixed the idea.

January 19, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

Citing the critical economic need for road construction and transit improvements, Gov. Bruce Rauner will conduct a general obligation bond sale later this month.

January 6, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

Eight Chicago universities have agreed to engage with the city and local communities as they invest in their neighborhoods. The hope is to increase opportunities for employment and economic growth.

January 2, 2016 - Urban Institute