Lawrence Okrent is a Chicago planning and zoning consultant and also a photographer. Recreating a series of aerial photographs from 1985, he shows the remarkable growth of the city over the last 15 years.
Okrent's new book, "Chicago From the Sky: A Region Transformed," is full of these comparison aerial photographs. Blair Kamin says the book often reads "as a paean to Chicago's unquenchable appetite for change."
Kamin says that Okrent does not take a position one way or another on whether the growth was good or bad for the city:
"Readers must draw their own conclusions, though the sharp-eyed will surely be able to discern key trends, among them how Daley's love for planting trees has softened once-mean streets."
A photo gallery can be seen over at The Chicago Tribune.
Stunning Images from America's Urban Past
Independence Day is a day to reflect on America's history; and with many of the activities associated with the holiday (parades, fireworks) set on urban stages, it's the perfect occasion to enjoy some amazing images of the country's urban past.
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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.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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