Illinois

Pilsen Chicago

The Problems With Tax Increment Financing and How to Fix Them

Tax increment financing (TIF) districts are common in municipalities across the country. However, the economic development tool is also poorly understood and often the target of criticism.

November 13, 2018 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Miami Traffic Jam

Study Finds Fewer Young People Want Cars

Driving is often marketed as fun and liberating, but millennials aren’t buying it.

November 13, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Parklet Andersonville

Chicago Parklet Designed to Be Flexible and Cost Effective

A newly installed parklet in Chicago is part of a larger program to engage the city’s public spaces.

November 12, 2018 - Next City

Illinois

Post-Amazon Chicago: Mayor Seeks $1.7 Billion in Subsidies for Downtown Developments

Making the case that proposed developments won't come to fruition with support from tax increment financing, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is moving quickly to shore up development plans now that Amazon has moved on.

November 7, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago El Tracks

Are Chicago's Transit Oriented Developments Generating Enough Affordable Housing?

Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood is the scene for a very contemporary land use policy debate: how much affordable housing can cultivated from the development opportunities in proximity to transit lines?

November 6, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Divvy Bikeshare

Chicago Wants Bike Sharing to Reach All Parts of City

The city recently received a grant that will help it grow its bike-share network, particularly into areas that have been underserved.

November 4, 2018 - WTTW

Englewood Southside Neighborhood

Chicago's Low Income Neighborhoods Face Worst Pollution, Study Finds

A report from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that Chicago's South and West sides face more air pollution than the wealthier parts of the city.

October 31, 2018 - Chicago Sun Times

Chicago Transit Authority

A Bus Service Report Card for Chicago

A new report card from the Active Transportation Alliance gave mostly C's and D's to bus service in the city of Chicago.

October 30, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago

No Fare Hikes for Chicago in 2019 Budget

The Chicago Transit Agency 2019 includes a flyover at the Belmont train station, rehabs for two Blue Line stops, and Red and Purple Line modernizations, among other things.

October 27, 2018 - Streetsblog

7 Bus Chicago CTA

Chicago Creates Incentives for Transit Oriented Developments Along Bus Routes

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration will expand its program to incentivize transit oriented development by including land around the 79th Street and Chicago Avenue bus routes.

October 26, 2018 - Curbed Chicago

CTA Chicago

Chicago and New York: Two Transit Systems, Two Very Different Outcomes

Both cities have aging transit systems in need of major repairs. Chicago’s approach has helped turn the system around while New York is still grappling with its issues.

October 25, 2018 - The New York Times

Chicago Spire

Aldermanic Obstruction Too Strong for Former Chicago Spire Site Plans

Developers Related Midwest have new plans for the infamously failed development site, but have so far been stymied by demands from the office of Alderman Brendan Reilly.

October 24, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Wrigley Field

Dynamic Parking Prices Lack Political Will, Local Support Near Wrigley Field

Setting the example for the rest of city was too tough a pill to swallow for businesses located near Wrigley Field.

October 23, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Marilyn Monroe Statue

A Cautionary Tale of Mega-Project Planning

"There’s a dramatic difference, Cityfront Center shows, between real estate success and building a great city."

October 18, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Blue Line Tracks

Regional Planning Stuck in Neutral in Chicagoland?

With the approval of the ON TO 2050 regional plan, some advocates see more of the same car-centric planning. Perhaps the state can finally shift the discussion.

October 16, 2018 - Chi.Streetsblog

Holmdel, New Jersey

'Huge' Office Campus Redevelopment Near Sears Headquarters Set to Go Forward

A sizable former AT&T campus in suburban Chicago will be redeveloped into mixed-use, despite "sluggish" local leasing activity and the potential closure of Sears' nearby headquarters.

October 13, 2018 - The Chicago Tribune

United States map

Study: Older States Tend to Have Worse Finances

A report suggests that the older a state is, the more likely it is that special interests have entrenched themselves, negatively impacting the public purse.

October 13, 2018 - Governing

Jackson Park

Chicago Moves Forward Legislation on Obama Presidential Center

The former president's Obama Presidential Center, to be constructed in Chicago's Jackson Park, has faced opposition from nearby residents concerned about its effects on the area.

October 12, 2018 - The Chicago Tribune

Illinois Governor

Vehicle Miles Traveled Fee Becomes Debate Issue in Illinois Gubernatorial Race

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner might as well have accused his Democratic opponent of wanting to hike the gas tax. J.B. Pritzker denies he plans to introduce a VMT fee but admits that he's open to all ideas to raise revenue to maintain infrastructure.

September 27, 2018 - Illinois News Network

Trump Sign

Another Chicago Skyscraper Sign Controversy

Regulations crafted in the wake of the Trump sign controversy of 2014 could be relaxed to let Salesforce leave its mark on the city of Chicago's skyline.

September 25, 2018 - 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.