After over a century of being cut off from Lake Michigan, the southeast side is gearing up for the newest, largest development project in years in the sleepy, working-class neighborhood of South Chicago.
News of redevelopment begun in the late 1990's petered out in 2004. Things looked grim when the promise of light industry fizzled with the land acquisition and subsequent back out of the Solo Cup Company. The lakefront Mud-to-Parks Project seemed to lag after it's initial start in March of 2004.
But now the long awaited plans of Chicago-based McCaffery Interest Inc. along with partners residential developer Westrum Development Co. and the private-equity firm Lubert-Adler Real Estate Funds seem to be full steam ahead.
The community should begin gearing up to be some of the hottest property in Chicago. The lakefront site is larger than the Loop, and with the redirection of South Lake Shore Drive access to downtown will never be easier or more beautiful anywhere else along the Lakefront. Should Chicago win the bid for the 2016 Olympics this area is certain to receive another great shot in the arm.
Thanks to Mark Abbott
FULL STORY: South Works plan boosted

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

San Francisco’s Muni Ridership Grew in 2024
The system saw its highest ridership since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but faces a severe budget shortage in the coming year.

Colorado Lawmakers Move to Protect BRT Funding
In the face of potential federal funding cuts, CDOT leaders reasserted their commitment to planned bus rapid transit projects.

Safe Streets Funding in Jeopardy
The Trump administration is specifically targeting bike infrastructure and other road safety projects in its funding cuts.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland