Illinois

Planning for the 'Non-606': The Englewood Line

Englewood is a predominately black neighborhood in Chicago, struggling with vacancies and the effects of failed urban policies. A bike and pedestrian path could be a huge benefit, but that benefit would look a lot different than other parts of city.

June 7, 2018 - Streetsblog Chicago

Baltimore Demolition

The Pace of Chicago Demolitions Worries Preservationists

In neighborhoods with lots of new development, buildings cited in the Chicago Historic Resources Survey are coming down fast.

June 1, 2018 - Chicago Magazine

Downtown, now

Addressing 'Reverse White Flight' in Chicago

A new report from the Urban Institute and the Metropolitan Planning Council looks at ways to fight perpetual segregation as Chicago's affluent white population booms.

May 30, 2018 - CityLab

Illinois Multi-Family

The Emerging 'Surban' Real Estate Market

A little less emphasis on the suburban, and a little more emphasis on the urban.

May 24, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Air Force One

Obama Presidential Center Wins Key City Council Approval

The Obama Presidential Center is still controversial, but it has also taken a key first step in the approvals process.

May 24, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Englewood Southside Neighborhood

Chicago Puts Thousands of Vacant Lots on the Market for $1

Chicago continues to lose population from parts of the city, so vacant properties are multiplying. The city's "Large Lots" program aims to return vacant properties back to control by residents of the neighborhoods.

May 22, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Spire

Two Skyscrapers Will Finally Rise Above the Failed Location of the Chicago Spire

Two towers, one reaching 1,100 feet and the other 850 feet, will take their place in the Chicago skyline.

May 21, 2018 - The Architect's Newspaper

Chicago Community Garden

Chicago Zoning Standing in the Way of Some Urban Gardens

It can be easier for Chicago's urban gardeners to grow produce than to sell it.

May 16, 2018 - Southside Weekly

Logan Square Target on Elston Avenue

Dense Development Generates More Property Taxes Than Big Box Stores in Chicago

After examining property taxes for Target, Family Dollar, and Liberty Bank in Chicago, Steven Vance found that nearby dense development paid more per square foot than the big box developments.

May 15, 2018 - Chicago Cityscape

Chicago Commuter Rail

Chicago's Metra Will Try One-Day Pass

Along with a scheme to simplify fares, Metra will roll out a one-day pass and a set of federally mandated safety updates.

May 14, 2018 - The Chicago Tribune

Governor of Wisconsin

Another EPA Rollback, Tailor-Made for Gov. Walker and Southeast Wisconsin

Politics and economics win over public health in Racine County as the EPA exempted the area around the Foxconn's massive facility from meeting stricter ozone pollution standards, saving the company from investing in smog-reducing equipment.

May 5, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Crash

Hit-and-Run Traffic Fatalities Reach Record High

Over 2,000 people died from hit-and-run collisions on American roads in 2016, the highest since 2009, claiming a disproportionate amount of pedestrian and cyclist lives. One solution: more protected bike lanes.

April 30, 2018 - CBS This Morning

Chicago Winter

DUI Arrests in Chicago Continue to Decline. Did Ride Hailing Do That?

Some credit a drop in DUI arrests in the city of Chicago to drunks using ride hailing services.

April 26, 2018 - Streetsblog

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Chicago Coach Houses, Legalize 'Em

Coach houses could provide affordable housing and revenue for home owners if they were more widely permitted in the city.

April 21, 2018 - Chicago Cityscape

North Lake Shore Drive

Bus Lane Proposed for Chicago's Famous Lake Shore Drive

Chicago's buses are getting slower. Putting dedicated bus lanes on the drive could speed buses up, and a growing coalition supports the idea of dedicated bus lanes on one of Chicago's busiest thoroughfares.

April 20, 2018 - Crain's Chicago Business

Chicago El

Free Public Transit for Chicago?

The CTA just raised fares, but some think if the service were truly committed to equity it should be made free.

April 18, 2018 - Chicago Reader

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

Chicago

Risk and Reward in Play With Wrigleyville Developments

A wave of investments is visiting one of the most famous, and notorious, neighborhoods in the city of Chicago. The question is whether the final product will be worth the expense.

April 12, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Wrigley Field

Sunday Fun: Vote for the Best Buildings in Illinois History

Voting is open until April 13.

April 8, 2018 - Illinois Top 200

Downtown North Little Rock

Resurrecting the Classic American Main Street

In an interview, urbanism scholar Emily Talen discusses what it would take to restore "main street principles" to American towns and cities. Understandably, small retailers play a big role.

March 30, 2018 - Sidewalk Talk

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.