Chicago

Navy Pier Design Team Picked

From amongst an international field of distinguished competitors, a 17-memeber team led by James Corner Field Operations has been selected to revamp the Chicago landmark's public spaces, reports Blair Kamin.

March 16, 2012 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago's Cultural Plan Gets a Rewrite

For the first time in more than 25 years, Chicago is updating the city's Cultural Plan by taking stock of its existing cultural assets and identifying opportunities for “cultural hubs,” reports Christopher Bentley.

March 15, 2012 - The Architect's Newspaper

Chicago Hops On Bike Sharing Phenomenon

With the recently announced selection of a vendor to operate its first large-scale bicycle sharing program, Chicagoans are primed to start pedaling in earnest this summer, reports Jon Hilkevitch.

March 15, 2012 - Chicago Tribune

Hard Lessons Learned in a Push to Privatize Parking

In the frenzied hunt for new revenue streams, municipal authorities are getting creative in capitalizing on their assets. Nate Berg follows the example of Sacramento, who is considering privatizing its parking meters to pay for a new sports arena.

March 14, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

All Aboard for Chicago's Massive Rail to Trail Conversion

Lisa Donovan reports that the city of Chicago has plugged a $9 million shortfall in funding required to begin construction on the long-anticipated Bloomingdale Trail project.

March 13, 2012 - Chicago Sun-Times

Making Sure Design Doesn't Get Left Behind in Chicago's Infrastructure Push

Blair Kamin argues for the need for new Mayor Rahm Emanuel to carry on the enlightened relationship with design established by his predecessor, former Mayor Richard M. Daley, especially in light of recently announced initiatives.

March 8, 2012 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Moves to Clean Its Waterways

Despite decades of "steady improvement", Chicago is still home to some of the dirtiest waterways in the country. Now after years of obfuscation, the city's Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is finally moving forward with cleanup plans.

March 5, 2012 - Chicago Tribune

Emanuel Unveils Economic Development Plan for Chicago - and Innovative Plan to Pay for It

A day after introducing an ambitious economic development plan for Chicago, mayor Rahm Emanuel wasted little time in unveiling a crucial element for implementing the plan - a public-private mechanism for funding infrastructure improvements.

March 2, 2012 - Chicago Tribune

Is Housing a Human Right?

Advocates around the country, and around the world, think so, and they're making their case from Southern California to Scotland and South Africa.

February 24, 2012 - Shelterforce

Chicago Bets on Buses

Yonah Freemark reports on Chicago's commitment of $7.3 million, supplementing $24.6 million in federal funds already in place, to improve bus service between Union Station and Navy Pier.

February 23, 2012 - the transport politic

America's Newest High-Speed Rail Service Begins

This past Wednesday, Amtrak debuted the newest high-speed rail service in the country, and the first outside of the northeast corridor. Where you ask? California? Florida? Nope, it's is Kalamazoo, Michigan.

February 19, 2012 - Chicago Sun-Times

Big Ideas Proposed for Chicago's Navy Pier

Blair Kamin reports on proposals from five teams of celebrated designers vying to re-imagine Navy Pier. They reflect big ideas, and big budgets.

February 1, 2012 - Chicago Tribune

Controversy Surrounds Plans for Historic Public Housing in Chicago

Preservationists say Lathrop Homes should be preserved, the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) says it should be "transformed", but what do the residents think?

January 13, 2012 - Chicago Tribune

The Park That Could Swallow Manhattan

What would be the Millennium Reserve is currently "underused and post-industrial land" and is expected to cost about $17 million to construct. At about 140,000 acres, it's approximately ten times larger than Manhattan.

January 6, 2012 - Triple Pundit

Pritzker Fully Restoring Frank Lloyd Wright House

The Frank Lloyd Wright-design Emil Bach House in Chicago will be brought back to original, historical accuracy. Reportedly going well beyond budget, the century-old house will be rented to overnight guests when completed.

December 23, 2011 - Chicago Tribune

The Largest Urban Park In America Coming To Chicago

A new park in Chicago aims to turn 140,000 acres of under-used and post industrial land along the Second City's southern rim into the country's largest urban park. Governor Pat Quinn hopes to add private funding to the $17m allotted by the state.

December 20, 2011 - The Atlantic

Chicago's Bikes and Rail Infrastructure Get Federal Boost

About $20 million in all, the grants will go to improvements to the CTA and the city's first bikeshare program. This is just one of 46 projects nationwide getting funding this round from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

December 17, 2011 - Chicago Tribune

Redevelopment Project Across from Wrigley Field

According to Tribune staff reporter Ameet Sachdev, "owners of the Chicago Cubs bought property across the street from Wrigley Field from McDonald's Corp. for $20 million, expanding their opportunities to redevelop areas around the stadium."

December 15, 2011 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago River Finally Getting Cleaned Up

Once reversed to keep its filth out of the drinking water, the Chicago River is finally getting cleaned up, on orders from the EPA. Now recognized as an asset, re-reversal and clean-up is predicted to infuse the city with $1 billion in investments.

December 1, 2011 - The Economist

Agency Says $500,000 Survey is Worth the Cost

In Chicago, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is willing to spend $500,000 to survey their riders to see how the public feels about the bus and train services.

November 30, 2011 - Chicago Tribune

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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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