Illinois

Can Preservationists and Conservationists Work Together?

Blair Kamin, architecture critic for the Chicago Tribune, says that historic preservationists need to rethink their "preservation at all costs" strategies in light of global warming.

May 19, 2010 - Preservation Magazine

A New Neighborhood for Chicago

The site of an ex-steel factory, the 369-acre South Works site is being rebuilt as an urban nieghborhood.

May 18, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

Cheers and Jeers for Public Spaces in Chicago

Blair Kamin applauds a new plaza at the Trump International Hotel + Tower, and calls an aging public space nearby 'an eyesore.'

May 7, 2010 - The Chicago Tribune

Why Burnham's Big Plan Worked

Aaron M. Renn reflects on the success of Daniel Burnham's plan of Chicago, and why. Perhaps it was the lack of government involvement in the planning process?

May 3, 2010 - The Urbanophile

Chicago, Capital of Green Roofs?

Chicago City Hall boasts one of the world's most famous green roofs. As a result, the city has a reputation for being the capital of green roofs. But as architecture critic Blair Kamin notes from a bird's eye view, that's not exactly the case.

April 23, 2010 - Chicago Tribune

Renovating Chicago's Union Station

Chicago's Union Station is announcing a potential upgrade in order to prepare for future high speed rail construction, says The Christian Science Monitor.

April 2, 2010 - The Christian Science Monitor

Chicago's $1.3 Million Experiment in Democracy

In a Chicago Tribune op-ed, Alderman Joe Moore explains why he is letting residents decide how to spend his $1.3m ward budget, through the first Participatory Budgeting process in the US.

April 1, 2010 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago's $1.3 Million Experiment in Democracy

In a Chicago Tribune op-ed, Alderman Joe Moore explains why he is letting residents decide how to spend his $1.3 ward budget, through the first Participatory Budgeting process in the US.

March 31, 2010 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Mayor Blasts Change to Teacher Residency Rule

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley says recently approved legislation that allows city school teachers to live outside Chicago borders will help to decimate the city's middle class.

March 29, 2010 - Chicago Sun-Times

Gertrude Kerbis, Pioneering Female Architect

Architect Gertrude Kerbis worked for sixty years designing buildings in Chicago alongside more famous architects like Walter Gropius and Mies Van der Rohe. Preservation Magazine talks to her about her struggles as a woman in a male-dominated field.

March 25, 2010 - Preservation Magazine

Alternative Energy Lights Up Streets in Suburban Chicago

Downers Grove, IL has won accolades for being the first residential subdivision to install a hybrid solar-wind powered street lighting system, reports TribLocal.

March 24, 2010 - TribLocal (Chicago Tribune)

Momentum Builds Toward Chicago to St. Louis HSR

The IL state senate's 51-2 passage of a bill creating the Illinois and Midwest High Speed Rail Commission on March 18 is a major step toward planning the 150+ mph train from Chicago to St. Louis.

March 23, 2010 - Metro Magazine

Illinois Opens Door to New Nuclear Plants

State legislators in Illinois have lifted a 23-year ban on building nuclear plants within the state.

March 17, 2010 - Chicago Sun-Times

Urbanites Make the Case for Goats as Pets

The don't bite. They don't need much space. They follow kids around like a dog. We're talking about miniature goats. Planning commissions across the country are being asked to moved the hooved animals into the "pet" category.

March 9, 2010 - USA Today

'Drive 'til You Qualify' Foreclosures on the Rise

Long commute + High Fuel Costs = Home Losses in Exurbs.

February 26, 2010 - Marketplace

Goodbye, Cabrini-Green

The Cabrini-Green Housing Projects in Chicago, Illinois were some of the worst examples of the public housing towers era. This stop motion video captures the demolition of one of the last buildings left in the redevelopment process.

February 23, 2010 - Cabrini-Green.com

High Speed Rail Needs High Class Stations

Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin argues that America's foray into high speed rail should also focus on the rail stations and user experience in addition to the speed.

February 2, 2010 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago's Privatized Parking Meters: Fiasco, or Success Story?

The City of Chicago, in a much criticized move, recently privatized its parking enforcement. Stephen Goldsmith says the program should be celebrated instead of booed.

January 24, 2010 - Governing Magazine

The History of Street Food

A radio interview in Chicago talks about the merits of street food and the historical reasons for restrictions on vendors.

January 23, 2010 - WGN Radio 720

Always Begin With the Stuff You've Got

That's how newly-developed communities are making it work, says Laura Wright in this in-depth look at how sprawl happened in Chicago and how smart growth is revitalizing the city.

January 7, 2010 - NRDC's onearth

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.