A new initiative seeks to bring investment dollars to Chicago communities that for decades have suffered from the loss of wealth and population.
Oscar Perry Abello reports on a kickoff event for INVEST South/West, a new Chicago neighborhood improvement initiative, and the vision of the city’s new planning commissioner, Maurice Cox. The initiative will bring $750 million to the South Side and West Side of Chicago, areas that historically have struggled with disinvestment.
"Rather than being proactive in coordinating city dollars across agencies, the planning department has been more reactive, mostly responding to developer applications for tax increment financing (TIF) dollars, other local subsidies, or zoning changes to clear the path for new luxury developments," says Abello.
One of Cox’s goals is to better coordinate planning efforts to stop development patterns that have favored wealthier North Side neighborhoods. He expects that public investment in South Side and West Side communities will draw private investment.
Several factors could help Cox’s vision become a reality, including the Cook County Land Bank Authority and strong community organizing in these areas, notes Abello. However, redlining of homeowners and small businesses is still an issue. "There’s a long history of broken promises to the South Side and West Side, and Cox is coming to terms with that," he adds.
FULL STORY: Chicago’s New Planning Commissioner Says Hello to the South Side
Update: Chicago Red Line Extension TIF Approved
The long-anticipated project that will bring the Chicago Transit Authority rail system into transit deserts on the Southside of Chicago is making substantial progress.
Chicago’s Red Line Extension Environmental Review Complete
The Red Line Extension on Chicago’s South Side could be a game changer, if the city can figure out the local funding.
Chicago's Planning Director on Leadership During Crises
Maurice Cox, planning commissioner for the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, is the subject of this in-depth coverage by the Chicago Tribune.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
How Atlanta Built 7,000 Housing Units in 3 Years
The city’s comprehensive, neighborhood-focused housing strategy focuses on identifying properties and land that can be repurposed for housing and encouraging development in underserved neighborhoods.
In Both Crashes and Crime, Public Transportation is Far Safer than Driving
Contrary to popular assumptions, public transportation has far lower crash and crime rates than automobile travel. For safer communities, improve and encourage transit travel.
Report: Zoning Reforms Should Complement Nashville’s Ambitious Transit Plan
Without reform, restrictive zoning codes will limit the impact of the city’s planned transit expansion and could exclude some of the residents who depend on transit the most.
Judge Orders Release of Frozen IRA, IIJA Funding
The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service