Illinois

Biking

'Biking While Black?' You're More Likely to Get a Ticket in Chicago

Majority-white neighborhoods like West Town and Lincoln Park are among the most popular for biking in Chicago, but they’re not in the top ten neighborhoods for bike tickets.

March 21, 2017 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Blue Line

Apartments Zoned Out of Near North Side Chicago Train Stations

Zoning around Chicago's public transit in relatively affluent areas won't allow for density or any kind of housing other than single family homes.

March 16, 2017 - Chicago Cityscape

The 606

Increased Demolition Fee Proposed for Developers Near Chicago's 606

A bill with anti-gentrification goals would charge developers who intend to knock down homes along the city’s new bike trail.

March 14, 2017 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago

Wicker Park, Bucktown Gets New Master Plan

The Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods in Chicago will update their master plan to keep pace with the north side Chicago growing wealth and popularity.

March 8, 2017 - Next City

Image of Chicago Lake Shore Drive Freeway

Proposal: Bury a Section of Chicago's Lake Shore Drive

In an ambitious plan dating back to the early 20th century, some Chicagoans want to build out park space over Lake Shore Drive's Oak Street S-bend. The project wouldn't be a straightforward one.

March 7, 2017 - Curbed Chicago

Southside Chicago

Money for Retailers on Chicago's South and West Sides

In Chicago, which has seen closures by retailers like Sears, Macy's, and others, Mayor Emanuel is offering some relief in the form of grants.

March 3, 2017 - Chicago Tribune

A Black woman stands in front of a home holding an umbrella and smiling.

The Realities of Black Homeownership

Natalie Moore details her experience in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood as the child of black home owners in a segregated city.

March 2, 2017 - WBEZ FM Chicago

Gateway People Plaza

Chicago's 'People Plazas' Lacking a Key Ingredient

Launched with neighborhood-friendly ambitions, Chicago's people plaza program was meant to create revenue-generating gathering places. A Chicago Tribune editorial says it's hard to find any people at the plazas, however.

March 2, 2017 - Chicago Tribune

Jefferson park Blue Line Stop

Mixed-Income Development in Chicago's Jefferson Park Faces Protest

A development on Chicago's Northside faces protests and picketers who don't want new density, height, or low income residents.

March 1, 2017 - Chicago Reader

Buskers

An Ordinance to Curb Street Performance in Chicago Draws Criticism

Chicago Aldermen are considering an ordinance to outlaw street performances audible from more than 20 feet away, but in a segregated city, some fear that a quieter downtown might be more unwelcoming.

February 28, 2017 - Chicagoist

Chicago Housing Authority

Large Mixed-Use Development the Latest Step in Cabrini-Green's Complete Redevelopment

The process of redeveloping the site of one of the country's most infamous public housing complexes, Cabrini-Green in Chicago, will soon take another substantial step into the future.

February 23, 2017 - Chicago Tribune

Cook County Land Bank Expands Vacancy Program, Offers 4,400 Lots for Sale

The vacant lot program at the Cook County Land Bank Authority recently kicked into high gear—offering a huge number of vacant lots for sale, located around 27 neighborhoods and suburbs in the Chicago region.

February 20, 2017 - Crain's Chicago Business

Chicago Bus Rapid Transit

Not One Driver in Chicago Has Ever Gotten a Ticket for Driving in Bus Lanes

A $32 million infrastructure project in downtown Chicago to create dedicated bus lanes and improve bus shelters is done, but the city of Chicago and its police are not enforcing the laws they made to make that system run.

February 19, 2017 - NBC Chicago

Ghost bike in New York

Mapped: The Ghost Bikes of Chicago

Ghost bikes, sad, silent tribute to those killed while riding bikes, are more controversial than seems possible. The Chicago Tribune has a map that endeavors to track their locations around the Chicago area.

February 18, 2017 - Chicago Tribune

Green Line

Chicago to Get a New L Station at the United Center

The United Center, which is home to the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, will get a new elevated train station.

February 17, 2017 - Crain's

Minecraft Model

Friday Eye Candy: A Minecraft Duplicate of Chicago

An exemplary display of Minecraft prowess.

February 17, 2017 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago River

Fortress No Longer: What's in Store for Willis Tower

Designed for a different era, Willis Tower's pedestrian-phobic base is in line for a complete overhaul. The goal is to open the immense tower to the street.

February 7, 2017 - Chicago Sun-Times

Evanston, Illinois

Know of Any 'Suburbs in Name Only'?

No cities are entirely urban, or even similar from one neighborhood to the next. The Corner Side Yard has some fun thinking about which Chicago neighborhoods we "Chicago in Name Only" and which of its suburbs are "Suburbs in Name Only."

February 6, 2017 - The Corner Side Yard

Midway Airport

Homes Near Chicago's Midway Airport to Receive Soundproofing

The city of Chicago intends to soundproof more homes this year than any in the 20-year history of the city's soundproofing program, insulating homes from the noise generated by the city's south side airport.

February 4, 2017 - Chicago Tribune

Police

Using Data to Curb Pedestrian Fatalities and Slow Profiling

Chicago Department of Transportation Chief, Gabe Klein, suggests that crash hot spots should guide efforts to make streets safer.

January 31, 2017 - The Chicago Reader

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.