Chicago River

A conceptual rendering of the Wild Mile river restoration shows newly built docks and walkways and greenery along the Chicago River.

North Branch of the Chicago River Transforming Into a ‘Wild Mile’

A remarkable transformation is underway along the North Branch of the Chicago River, after being channelized and brutalized for well over a century.

July 20, 2022 - Fast Company

Chicago Construction

New Skyscraper Added to Chicago's Skyline in Uncertain Times for Downtown Commercial Uses

A riverfront revival was well underway in Chicago. Then the pandemic hit. How can a splashy new downtown commercial development expect to fare in Covid's world?

October 12, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Construction

Chicago's Tallest Office Building Since 1990 Cracks the Top 20 Tallest in the City

The Bank of America Tower is the newest skyscraper to line the Chicago River.

October 3, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago River

Tribune Megasite Could Transform Downtown Chicago

A huge piece of real estate along the Chicago River is primed to host a new mixed-use campus.

February 23, 2019 - Crain's Chicago Business

Chicago River North Branch

Plan Changes for Chicago’s Lincoln Yards Project

The massive proposed development project on the Chicago River is facing a host of questions about density, open space, and infrastructure.

December 2, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago River

Water Taxi Could Add Stops in Chicago

As the city of Chicago continues to develop its river, some see an opportunity to expand river transit.

August 3, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Goose Island Chicago

A 'Wild Mile' on the Chicago River Utilizes Floating Gardens

An effort is underway to reintroduce a natural habitats along a stretch of postindustrial Chicago River canal-scape. Floating garden modules are being used to attract species back to the area.

July 11, 2018 - The Chicago Tribune

Riverfront Open Space

Mayor Emanuel Wants to Open More of the Chicago River to the Public

Plans to double the length of publicly accessible riverfront will be included in Mayor Rahm Emanuel's State of the City address tonight.

April 16, 2018 - Chicago Sun Times

Trump Sign

Pigs Will Not Fly at the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago

The city denied an application for an art installation that would have tethered giant golden pigs to a barge on the Chicago River, temporarily interrupting the view of the sign on the infamous Trump sign.

July 29, 2017 - The Architect's Newspaper

Chicago Riverwalk

Embracing Rivers as a Vehicle for Urban Revitalization

A new study includes urban rivers as a potential powerful amenity for economic development and revitalization. The city of Chicago has already taken note.

December 19, 2016 - Chicago Magazine

Chicago

A Plan to Bike the Length of the Chicago River by 2030

The Chicago River is attracting some of the city's most creative visions for the future. The second plan in recent months proves the potential of the river as an open space asset.

October 25, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago River

A Bold Plan to Swim in Chicago's Rivers by 2030

Chicago Mayor Rah Emanuel and the Metropolitan Planning Council announced the "Our Great Rivers" plan this week.

August 19, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

Millennium Park Chicago

Will Chicago Be the Next to Jump on the Sky Gondola?

Chicago's looking for a new tourist attraction, and the sky gondola has made the short list. Private investors have proposed to construct a sky gondola as a tourist attraction crossing over the Chicago River, but will the plan fly?

May 16, 2016 - CityLab

Goose Island Chicago

Chicago's Golden Goose

Once known as "Little Hell" for its copious industrial plants, Goose Island is a rare, relatively undeveloped investment opportunity. Centrally located, it may one day house swanky offices.

June 29, 2015 - Crain's Chicago Business

Chicago Bikers

Chicago Sources River Ideas from Citizens

The Metropolitan Planning Council of Chicago wants to get in on the recent upswing in crowdsourced planning solutions. They are looking to the public for input on the Chicago river system's future.

March 29, 2015 - The Architect's Newspaper Blog

Chicago Reclaims Its River

The opening of a "striking" new boathouse designed by noted architect Jeanne Gang along the Chicago River is a major milestone in the transformation of the city's "Ol’ Pisspot” into a public amenity.

October 23, 2013 - Grist

Vision for Chicago Riverwalk Set to Get Big Check from Feds

An ambitious vision for transforming a six-block segment of the Chicago River into six themed recreation areas looks almost certain to become a reality now that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has promised the project a $100 million federal loan.

April 2, 2013 - Chi.Streetsblog

What Will it Take to Transform Chicago's Riverfront?

With dozens of riverfront revitalization projects completed across the world in the past couple of decades, lessons abound for how Chicago can best integrate its waterfront and downtown. Whet Moser considers three examples.

February 27, 2013 - Chicago Magazine

Are Visions of a Thriving Chicago River Just Pipe Dreams?

Engineering marvel, polluted sewer, magnet for development - the Chicago River has worn many hats in its day. For its next role, can it become an "example of environmental innovation and ecological stewardship"?

February 26, 2013 - OnEarth

Chicago's New Themed Vision for Riverwalk

Chicago is seeking funding for a $100 million build-out of the Chicago River riverwalk stretching from State to Lake streets. The City hopes to build another popular destination like Millennium Park.

October 8, 2012 - Chicago Tribune

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.