Illinois
Is it a COVID Car or Mask-Optional Car? Rail Commuters Decide
A midwestern commuter rail line found a unique, if controversial way to achieve 100 percent mask compliance on its trains: Set aside one car, though preferably not the bike car, for riders who opt to travel maskless.
Pop-Up Bus Lanes Coming to Chicago
New pop-up bus lanes on two of the most heavily traveled bus routes in Chicago will help move essential workers more efficiently during the pandemic.
Moving Forward with Metra's Equity-Guided Transit System Plans
Metra's significant drop in ridership has forced the agency to adapt to a new transit landscape and plan for equitable fare offerings and service changes.
Widespread Coronavirus Testing Critical for College Reopenings, But...
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign developed a high-frequency coronavirus testing system that would be the envy of an country or corporation, testing students, faculty and staff twice a week, but it still failed to stem a major outbreak.
A First for Chicago: City Releases Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Plan
The city of Chicago's first-ever Equitable Transit-Oriented Development policy attempts to address long-standing inequities in the built environment and access to transportation in the city.
New Research Connects Land Use to Ride-Hailing Trips
Many of the places in Chicago generating the most ride-hailing trips with services like Uber and Lyft are accessible by transit, according to new research.
Don't Call it The 606: Chicago's Popular Linear Park Gets a New Name
The Chicago Park District wants to be extra sure we're all clear on this.
Coronavirus College Clusters Stress Town and Gown Relationship
College towns that have been observing public health guidelines and seen relatively few COVID-19 cases are now seeing infections spike as young people return to take classes. The New York Times has been tracking cases in colleges and college towns.
Obama Library Displacement Concerns: City Council Falls Short of Local Demands
The Chicago City Council has approved an ordinance intended to protect residents of the neighborhoods surrounding the planned Barack Obama Presidential Center.
Planning for Transit Oriented Development in a City of 40,000
Crystal Lake, Illinois offers a transit oriented planning case study on the edge of the Chicago metropolitan area.
More Cities Pressing Pause on Development as Gentrification, Displacement Concerns Persist
Chicago and Atlanta both approved development moratoriums in areas surrounding new urban amenities this year. Other cities could soon add to the number.
The Changing Geography of the Pandemic
During the pandemic's first phase in March and April, the Northeast was devastated by COVID-19. After Memorial Day, the surge was in the South and West. As cases decrease nationwide, they are now spiking in the Midwest, particularly North Dakota.
Design Collective Using Black-Centered Approaches to Transform Cities
BlackSpace seeks to empower Black practitioners and change the way planning and design happens in and affects Black communities.
Chicago Was Already Wiping Out Trees. Then the Derecho Hit.
An Urban Forestry Board is needed in Chicago to unsure the health and safety benefits of a flourishing urban forest.
Lincoln Yards, Chicago's Controversial $6 Billion Mega-Project, Set to Break Ground
Groundbreaking for the first component of Chicago's massive Lincoln Yards redevelopment project has been scheduled for early 2021.
Bus Lanes, Desired by Advocates for Chicago's Lake Shore Drive Project, Back on the Table
After releasing a list of project alternatives that didn't include new bus lanes in the existing roadway, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has changed its mind.
Chicago's New Approach to Air Quality Includes Zoning Changes
Improved air quality can help achieve equitable economic growth, according to Chicago's newly announced Air Quality Agenda.
Systemic Racism Starts and Ends with Housing
Along with standing up against police violence and systemic racism, we must also fight to end housing systems that devalue Black people.
Chicago Has a Plan for Recovery
Chicago's COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, launched and chaired by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, has produced a detailed plan for leading the city out of the pandemic.
Chicago's Planning Director on Leadership During Crises
Maurice Cox, planning commissioner for the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, is the subject of this in-depth coverage by the 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.
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
