Illinois

'Growing Water' Project Gets a Hand

The architecture studio that won The History Channel's City of the Future competition last year has gotten some help making its ideas possible.

October 3, 2008 - Architectural Record

First Privatized Airport In U.S.?

Midway Airport may become the first U.S. airport to be privatized if the 99-year lease for $2.52 billion is approved by the City Council and F.A.A., following in the footsteps of privatizing the Chicago Skyway toll road in 2005.

October 2, 2008 - The New York Times

Make No Little Plans, 100 Years Later

As the 100-year anniversary of the writing of the Burnham Plan for Chicago approaches, the city and its suburbs are thinking big about how to improve the city.

September 16, 2008 - Chicago Tribune

Housing Project May Close- Residents Dismayed

The Chicago Housing Authority is considering tearing down a 300-unit public housing project, with a vote expected Tuesday. Residents are understandably unhappy, and advocates say the demand for affordable housing is already greater than supply.

September 14, 2008 - Chicago Tribune

Last Call for Bar Cars

Chicago's Metro is closing down its rolling taverns- not for reasons of temperance, but because they need the room for the growing number of rail commuters.

August 27, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

Chicago Region Loses Billions Each Year Thanks to Traffic Congestion

A new report from the Metropolitan Planning Council pegs the annual cost of congestion to the Chicago region at $7.3 billion.

August 14, 2008 - Streetsblog

Beijing's Olympic Lessons for Chicago

Olympics-related construction in Beijing has impressed many, but does little to make the city a better place. Architecture critic Blair Kamin says Chicago needs to be careful about not repeating China's mistakes if it hosts the games in 2016.

August 7, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

A Move Back into Cities Indicates Changing Middle-Class Mores

Author Alan Ehrenhalt says that conditions are ripe for the permanent return of downtown residential neighborhoods, and that a "demographic inversion" has already begun in Manhattan, Chicago and Washington, DC, among other cities.

August 1, 2008 - The New Republic

Public Housing Museum Idea Moves Forward

A non-profit group in Chicago wants to open a museum dedicated to American public housing in the Former Public Housing Authority Building.

July 22, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

Chicago Trains To Go 'Standing Room Only'

The Chicago Transit Authority has announced plans to remove all the seating from some of its rush hour trains in order to deal with increased demand.

July 21, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

Millennium Park Garden Takes Top Award from ASLA

The American Society of Landscape Architects has awarded the Lurie Garden in Chicago's Millennium Park with it's highest honor.

July 20, 2008 - Marketwatch

Water Supplies May Not Be Enough for Growing Chicago

More than 2 million people are expected to be added to the metropolitan Chicago region by 2030, and water supplies may not be able to keep up. Officials are trying to find a solution.

July 17, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

'The Loop' is Back

Chicago's Loop is becoming a hot neighborhood.

July 11, 2008 - Reuters

A Public Housing Experiment Faces Problems

The Chicago Tribune examines what became of an ambitious city project, led by Mayor Daley, to revolutionize public housing. Private developers received public funding to tear down old projects and replace them with mixed-use neighborhoods.

July 9, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

Chicago Alleys Go Permeable

As part of a plan to utilize the city's rainwater and recycle it back to lake Michigan, Chicago has been renovating its 13,00 alleys to become permeable surfaces, where rainwater can soak back into the ground. 40 alleys have been redone so far.

June 30, 2008 - CNN

Despite Streetcar Skeleton, Chicago Leans Towards BRT

Transit officials in Chicago are calling on the city to rebuild its historic streetcar system. Rails still exist on many streets, but city officials are leaning away from streetcars and towards bus rapid transit.

June 24, 2008 - Chicago Sun-Times

Levees in Danger as Midwest Flooding Continues

Flood waters along the Mississippi River continue to rise, leaving many Midwest towns deep under water. The Army Corps of Engineers has just identified 27 levees that may not be high enough to handle the rising waters.

June 18, 2008 - USA Today

Oklahoma's Car Culture Forced to Adapt

Oklahoma City residents used to 70-mile commutes are turning to carpooling as gas hovers at $4 a gallon. But with the largest land area of any U.S. city, providing public transit remains a major challenge.

June 14, 2008 - CNNMoney.com

Transportation Weaknesses Hurting Chicago's Olympic Bid

Chicago has come in second-to-last place in the selection of finalists seeking to host the 2016 Olympics. The city's bid was criticized for not having a strong transportation plan.

June 8, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

Unfortunately, More Trains Means More Noise

A peaceful suburb wanting to preserve its tranquility is pitted against a large rail company attempting to lessen freight congestion around Chicago by running its trains through it and other suburbs on an existing rail line it hopes to purchase.

June 5, 2008 - Associated Press via Miami Herald

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.