Chicago
Always Begin With the Stuff You've Got
That's how newly-developed communities are making it work, says Laura Wright in this in-depth look at how sprawl happened in Chicago and how smart growth is revitalizing the city.
Twin Cities-to-Chicago Rail Plans Released
The state of Minnesota has released its final plans for a high-speed rail route connecting the Twin Cities to Chicago.
Urban Data: The Second City
Looking at the city of Chicago and how it should approach the future, John Tolva writes about the potential for tapping into city data and embracing the "second city" it creates.
CTA Opens Transit Data
The Chicago Transit Authority is opening up its transit arrival data to web developers, spurring what officials and riders hope will be the creation of new tools to make riding transit in the city easier.
Roofers vs. Landscapers
In a battle over contracts to build green roofs for Chicago's public buildings, landscapers have come out on top.
Chicago's Private Parking Meter Bungle
Chicago's decision to privatize its parking meters seems to be a loss for the city, as new data shows the city could have made much more money in the long term had they maintained operational management.
Really Quiet Neighbors
Architect Bill Bickford would like to turn Chicago's historic Three Arts Club into a columbarium, or building to house cremated remains. The former dormitory for women artists is revered by preservationists, but hasn't been in use since 2003.
Olympics Lost, But Demolition of Gropius Building Goes Ahead
The Architect's Newspaper reports on the first demolition of a historic building on the Walter Gropius-designed Michael Reese hospital campus in Chicago, the proposed site of now-ditched plans for an Olympic Village.
Study Finds Health Insurance Cheaper in Suburbs
A recent study of health insurance costs finds that people who live in suburban areas outside of Chicago pay less for health insurance than those who live in the urban core.
Chicago's Answer to NYC's High Line Will Generate Power & Food
A proposed plan from Gensler and 4240 Architecture would turn an abandoned rail line in Chicago into an energy-generating, food-growing powerhouse. Oh, and a park too.
Gropius Buildings Slated for Demolition
The Friend Convalescent Hospital was the first of Walter Gropius' modernist buildings to be destroyed at Chicago's Michael Reese hospital. Bulldozing began on Wednesday with more still to go.
Chicago's Climate Action Plan One Year Later
This interview with Chief Environment Officer Sadhu Johnston highlights the progress Chicago's already had, including 7 million square feet of green roofs and more bike lanes.
Chicago & Rio's Green Ambitions
This article reviews the lengths Rio and Chicago went to show the Olympic Committee their green ambitions. Hint: both planted trees.
Of Felonies, the First Amendment, and Franks
A successful small business in Chicago has ruffled some feathers in a neighborhood grappling with crime and poverty. Why? Because Felony Franks is too unsavory a name, even for a hot dog stand that employs ex-convicts.
Looking Backward to the Future in Chicago
The Chicago Sun-Times look at the transportation future of the Chicago area and sees a return to a time when trains were the main mode of transportation and people walked and bicycled more.
Worker Bees
Michael S. Thompson of the Chicago Honey Co-op discusses his urban beekeeping operation and how it provides jobs to otherwise hard-to-employ people.
Olympic Impact on Chicago Likely Modest
High hopes for city change are attached to Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Even if the city wins the bid this Friday, the impact is likely to be modest, according to Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin.
What Today's Cities Will Look Like in the Future
Imagining cities of the future can bring about some pretty wild predictions. But when they're visions of existing cities, these futuristic predictions can be almost realistic.
George Jetson meets Blade Runner: Architects on the Future of Chicago
Blair Kamin reviews the futuristic showcase, "Big. Bold. Visionary. Chicago Architects Consider the Next Century," curated by architect, Edward Keegan, on the anniversary of Burnham and Bennett's Plan of Chicago.
Room for Improvement in Prospective Olympic Host Cities
A new report from the International Olympic Committee has evaluated the four host candidates for the 2016 Summer Olympics and found many places for improvement ahead of its October 2 decision.
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
