Illinois
Fare Hikes And Service Cuts For Bus Riders In Chicago
Facing large budget deficits, the Chicago Transit Authority has announced plans to raise fares and cut service.
High-Tech Approaches To Keeping Beaches Clean
Solar-powered, high-tech garbage cans are to be installed on the lakeshore in Chicago, which the city hopes will help reduce the amount of garbage that collects on the beaches in summertime.
Is Chicago Serious About Ending Homelessness?
With little progress having been made on Mayor Richard Daley's campaign pledge to end homelessness by 2012, some are wondering if the promise is just a pipe dream, or worse, a political stunt.
Farmers Not Always Supportive Of Farmland Protection
Planners in Illinois are learning that farmers don't necessarily want their land protected from development -- as many are counting on cashing out the value of their land at some point.
Rethinking Chicago's Water Treatment System
As Chicago nears completion of the Deep Tunnel project, two local architects have proposed a new eco-friendly water plan for the city.
Affordable Housing Plan Approved In Chicago
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's plan to require developers to set aside part of new projects as affordable housing passed by a vote of 44-2.
Chicago Lags In Transit Toilets
Unlike the stations in many global cities, toilets in Chicago's main transit system are off-limits to most customers. However, plans are developing to install self-cleaning toilets in many of the system's stations.
Suburbs Tell Sidewalks To Hit The Road
In suburbs across Illinois, residents are joining forces to fight against the creation of sidewalks, which they view as a threat to their communities' rural character and their very security.
Public Participation Is Just A Click Away
More and more suburban Illinois communities are streaming their public hearings over the web, enabling more people to follow their local democratic process -- a trend being seen across the country.
Transit Officials Struggle To Convince State For Funding
With little interest from the governor, Illinois transit officials are predicting that budget cuts will dramatically reduce transit service, especially in the suburban Chicago area. They have been unsuccessful in rallying lawmakers to boost funding.
Unlucky Chicago Site May Finally Be Developed
Two new developments may finally bring an end to a long streak of bad luck for a site in downtown Chicago, where projects just couldn't seem to get finished. The city changed its development strategy and is hoping the new projects revive the site.
Façade-ectomy No Substitute For Historic Preservation
The controversial practice of demolishing all but the exterior of a historic building doesn't serve to preserve that past or encourage new architecture, argues architecture critic Blair Kamin.
One Fare Card, Three Transit Systems
Transit officials in Chicago plan to introduce a fare card that riders will be able to use on the city's three public transportation systems.
'Historic Value' Prevents Teardown Of Ranch-Style Home
Preservationists have petitioned the city and stopped a homeowner from tearing down the 1950s ranch-style home he recently purchased, citing the home's historic value.
Historic Preservation Or 'Architectural Taxidermy'?
A number of historic buildings in Chicago are being preserved -- but only on the outside. Developers have bent the rules of preservation to repurpose historic buildings as parking garages and luxury condos while preserving only their facades.
Should Gas Taxes Be Raised To Fund Public Transit?
While public transit trips have been increasing, funding the systems remains a chronic problem, illustrated by the woes facing the Chicago El. This editorial urges Congress to increase the gas tax to provide all transit systems more revenue.
Chicago Gets 3D Glimpse Of Proposed Spire
Santiago Calatrava unveils his Chicago Spire -- slated to be the tallest building in the nation -- in three dimensions to a mostly appreciative audience.
A 'Year of Decision' For Chicago's El System
For Chicago's El, big decisions must be made to modernize the nations' second largest transit system and alleviate it routine budget shortfalls.
First 'Eco-Friendly' Mall Opens In Chicago
The first of its kind development is hoping to transform the booming interest in all things green into, well, green.
Plan Calls For Cemetery To Serve As Park
Developers in Ozark, Illinois have incorporated a historic cemetery into a downtown revitalization project, hoping to create usable open space for the community.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
