Illinois

The Fallacy of the Millennial Housing Shortage

A dissenting argument claims that the efforts of "affluent urban pioneers" to increase supply in the most desirable urban areas will do more harm than good.

April 29, 2014 - The Corner Side Yard

Leaving California

Two Kinds of Migration Drive Urban Growth

A new post by Richard Florida distinguished between the two different types of migration—domestic and international—driving the influx of residents in urban centers around the country.

April 22, 2014 - Atlantic Cities

Chicago Planning Flyover Fix for North Side El Lines

Fairly sizable funding contingencies still have to be resolved, but the so-called Red-Purple Bypass Project could increase rush hour capacity at a critical North Side junction by 30 percent.

April 18, 2014 - Crain's Chicago Business

Goat Tower

Friday Funny: Goats Love a High Rise

Part funny, part amusing, and part just plain cool, goat towers are vertical structures with winding ramps that goats love to climb. They are also are “an idea whose time has come” according to a recent article in Modern Farmer.

April 18, 2014 - Modern Farmer

New Urbanism Gets a New Leader

Lynn Richards, formerly of the U.S. EPA's Office of Sustainable Communities, is set to become President of the Congress for the New Urbanism in July. In this interview, Richards says that forging new alliances will be a key goal for her.

April 17, 2014 - Better! Cities & Towns

Illinois Bike Transportation Plan Could Be a Game Changer

The Illinois Bike Transportation Plan has the potential to impact the design of state roads in the purview of the Illinois Department of Transportation: 2,775 miles, or nine percent of the total mileage, of road in the Chigagoland region.

April 16, 2014 - Chi.Streetsblog

Empty Parking Lot

Rethinking the Value of Parking Lots

To create more active and economically healthy downtowns, cities are seeking development on parking lots.

April 12, 2014 - Newsweek

Questioning Chicago’s Development-Friendly Reputation

Chicago has a reputation for being the most development-friendly city this side of Houston. But Stephen J. Smith cites restrictive zoning outside the Loop as one cause of the city’s anemic housing market.

April 10, 2014 - Next City

$1 Large Lot Sales Underway in Chicago

For sale in Chicago for $1: city-owned lots in Southside neighborhoods. The idea, which has been implemented in Chicago before, is to get more land in the hands of neighborhood residents and stakeholders.

April 6, 2014 - Chicago Sun-Times

Tracking Chicago’s Potholes

A new animated map presents the reported cases of potholes in Chicago since November—the maps colorful and provides insights into how the city, and our relationship to it, can change with time.

April 4, 2014 - Chicago Tribune

Legal Battle Over Transportation Network Companies Shifts to Chicago

Chicago political leaders are floating a pair of competing bills that would regulate transportation network companies like Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar. Cab companies are pushing for legislation, seeking a “level playing field” in the market.

March 27, 2014 - Crain's Chicago Business

Wheels Up for Chicago’s Navy Pier Flyover

Chicago recently began construction on the $60 million Navy Pier Flyover—an elevated bike and pedestrian path built along Lake Michigan near the Navy Pier.

March 24, 2014 - Chicago Tribune

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

Chicago skyline

A Tale of Two Chicagos

Acknowledging that many neighborhoods in Chicago have seen dramatic improvements in livability and income levels, one writer could still identify two Chicagos: “Global Chicago” and “Rust Belt Chicago.”

March 19, 2014 - The Corner Side Yard

Cleveland, Ohio

'Brain Drain' Surprise: Cleveland vs. Chicago

Comparing the demographic changes of Cleveland and Chicago, the results might surprise you: “Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) is experiencing brain gain. Chicago (Cook County) has brain drain.”

March 15, 2014 - Pacific Standard

First Transportation Plan Since 1940 Launches in Chicago’s Cook County

Cook County is in the early stages of public outreach for its first transportation plan since the 1940 “Highway Plan for Cook County.”

March 10, 2014 - Chi.Streetsblog

New Documentary Miniseries Captures Chicago

The Second City does not suffer for picturesque vantage points or large personalities, making it a natural fit for CNN to study in a new documentary miniseries.

March 7, 2014 - Atlantic Cities

How to Gain 21 Million Transit Trips a Year in Chicago?

At a recent hearing of the Northeastern Illinois Public Transit Task Force, experts like Peter Skosey made the case for the types of changes necessary to meet Chicago’s goals for increased transit ridership, focusing on transit oriented development.

March 6, 2014 - Chi.Streetsblog

Us High Speed Rail System

High Speed Locomotive Contract for Five States Awarded to Siemans AG

A $226 million contract to build 32 higher speed diesel locomotives, capable of reaching 125 mph, was awarded to the team of the German conglomerate, Siemens AG and Indiana-based engine maker Cummins, Inc over Peoria, Ill. based Caterpillar, Inc.

March 4, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - Business

How the Ashland BRT Would Change Chicago

The proposed Ashland Bus Rapid Transit line in Chicago, the latest effort in an ambitious multi-modal transportation investment plan by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and former Chicago DOT Commissioner Gabe Klein, is a game changer for an already unique city.

February 28, 2014 - The Atlantic Cities

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.