Illinois

Balancing Local Autonomy with Regional Planning Goals

A recent study by Northern Illinois University recommends that 'counties and municipalities be given greater statutory power to coordinate land-use planning in shared transportation corridors.'

November 18, 2003 - The Chicago Tribune

Do SUVs Cause More Wear and Tear Than Others?

Do sport utility vehicles cause more wear and tear on roads than cars? The mayor of Chicago thinks so; engineers disagree.

November 12, 2003 - Chicago Sun-Times

Small Town 'Resists Sprawl'

Pingree Grove, IL, a small town of 125, is doing what it can to keep from being engulfed by what seems to some as 'inevitable.'

November 9, 2003 - The Chicago Tribune

Friday Funny: Potty Trained

What made the train late and left evening commuters in NYC feeling pooped.

October 31, 2003 - The Chicago Tribune

Planning for the Dead

As cemetaries all over the U.S. are running out of burial spaces, planners are faced with a sensitive challenge.

October 29, 2003 - The Chicago Tribune

End of An Era for Some Public Housing Projects

The Lena Canada Homes, nicknamed 'Vietnam,' leaves a legacy of crime; despite the need for housing, many of its residents are happy to see it go.

October 20, 2003 - The Chicago Tribune

Cabrini Green: Rough Transition for Residents

Chicago's infamous public housing project, Cabrini Green, is undergoing uneasy change and a rough transition.

October 13, 2003 - Yahoo! Newswire

Building A New Downtown Riverdale

Riverdale, once a thriving community, has lost its industrial businesses, leaving unemployment and brownfield sites behind them.

October 9, 2003 - Campaign For Sensible Growth

Revisiting the Definition of 'Affordable' in Housing

In a _Chicago Tribune_ Op-Ed, Gail Schechter, of the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs, challenges Illinois policymakers' definition of "affordable housing."

October 9, 2003 - The Chicago Tribune

Resurrecting Walter Burley Griffin

A closer look at Walter Burley Griffin, who was a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright, and is famous for his masterplan design of Canberra, Australia.

October 8, 2003 - The Chicago Tribune

Comeback Company Town

Marktown, a small company town in Indiana, known for its narrow sidewalks, is beginning to reemerge after years of community and economic decline.

October 8, 2003 - The Chicago Tribune

How Medians Are Making A Difference

An innovative program in Chicago combines job training with city beautification.

October 5, 2003 - The Chicago Tribune

Housing Development Takes Another Course

Despite community pressure, the City of Waukegan, IL must allow a developer to build a housing subdivision through a golf course, making many nearby residents angry.

October 5, 2003 - The Chicago Tribune

Housing For Grandfamilies

New federal housing programs target 'grandfamilies'--households headed by grandparents.

October 1, 2003 - The Chicago Tribune

Creating Social Safety Nets In Suburbs

Social Service Centers work to fill the lack of social safety nets in suburban areas of Chicago.

September 28, 2003 - The Chicago Tribune

CHA Development Begins Market Unit Sales

Henry Horner Homes, the first mixed-income community on land used for public housing, will soon put their condominium units up for sale.

September 28, 2003 - The Chicago Tribune

'Mega-Churches' Vs. Neighborhood Character

The latest of several around disputes around the United States that finds communities treating "mega-churches" like out of control shopping malls, accusing them of violating zoning laws and of overwhelming neighborhoods.

September 28, 2003 - National Public Radio

Oddly-Shaped Buildings Emerge Where Land Is Scarce

Oddly shaped buildings are emerging in areas where land is scarce and valuable, enraging some neighborhood residents.

September 27, 2003 - The Chicago Tribune

Friday Funny: Plot To Bribe A Zoning Coordinator Foiled

Excitement comes to a planning office in a sleepy town in Illinois, as a couple is arrested after trying to bribe the zoning coordinator.

September 26, 2003 - The Chicago Tribune

Home Repair and Maintenance Needs for Suburban Seniors

Many seniors, especially those living in the suburbs, need help in home repair and maintenance.

September 25, 2003 - Yahoo! Newswire

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.