Illinois

Questioning Chicago’s Development-Friendly Reputation

Chicago has a reputation for being the most development-friendly city this side of Houston. But Stephen J. Smith cites restrictive zoning outside the Loop as one cause of the city’s anemic housing market.

April 10, 2014 - Next City

$1 Large Lot Sales Underway in Chicago

For sale in Chicago for $1: city-owned lots in Southside neighborhoods. The idea, which has been implemented in Chicago before, is to get more land in the hands of neighborhood residents and stakeholders.

April 6, 2014 - Chicago Sun-Times

Tracking Chicago’s Potholes

A new animated map presents the reported cases of potholes in Chicago since November—the maps colorful and provides insights into how the city, and our relationship to it, can change with time.

April 4, 2014 - Chicago Tribune

Legal Battle Over Transportation Network Companies Shifts to Chicago

Chicago political leaders are floating a pair of competing bills that would regulate transportation network companies like Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar. Cab companies are pushing for legislation, seeking a “level playing field” in the market.

March 27, 2014 - Crain's Chicago Business

Wheels Up for Chicago’s Navy Pier Flyover

Chicago recently began construction on the $60 million Navy Pier Flyover—an elevated bike and pedestrian path built along Lake Michigan near the Navy Pier.

March 24, 2014 - Chicago Tribune

Checking in on Chicago’s Riverwalk Extension Plans

The already brilliant city of Chicago is soon to get another big draw—the extension of a riverwalk promenade between State and Lake streets.

March 21, 2014 - Chi.Streetsblog

Chicago skyline

A Tale of Two Chicagos

Acknowledging that many neighborhoods in Chicago have seen dramatic improvements in livability and income levels, one writer could still identify two Chicagos: “Global Chicago” and “Rust Belt Chicago.”

March 19, 2014 - The Corner Side Yard

Cleveland, Ohio

'Brain Drain' Surprise: Cleveland vs. Chicago

Comparing the demographic changes of Cleveland and Chicago, the results might surprise you: “Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) is experiencing brain gain. Chicago (Cook County) has brain drain.”

March 15, 2014 - Pacific Standard

First Transportation Plan Since 1940 Launches in Chicago’s Cook County

Cook County is in the early stages of public outreach for its first transportation plan since the 1940 “Highway Plan for Cook County.”

March 10, 2014 - Chi.Streetsblog

New Documentary Miniseries Captures Chicago

The Second City does not suffer for picturesque vantage points or large personalities, making it a natural fit for CNN to study in a new documentary miniseries.

March 7, 2014 - Atlantic Cities

How to Gain 21 Million Transit Trips a Year in Chicago?

At a recent hearing of the Northeastern Illinois Public Transit Task Force, experts like Peter Skosey made the case for the types of changes necessary to meet Chicago’s goals for increased transit ridership, focusing on transit oriented development.

March 6, 2014 - Chi.Streetsblog

Us High Speed Rail System

High Speed Locomotive Contract for Five States Awarded to Siemans AG

A $226 million contract to build 32 higher speed diesel locomotives, capable of reaching 125 mph, was awarded to the team of the German conglomerate, Siemens AG and Indiana-based engine maker Cummins, Inc over Peoria, Ill. based Caterpillar, Inc.

March 4, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - Business

How the Ashland BRT Would Change Chicago

The proposed Ashland Bus Rapid Transit line in Chicago, the latest effort in an ambitious multi-modal transportation investment plan by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and former Chicago DOT Commissioner Gabe Klein, is a game changer for an already unique city.

February 28, 2014 - The Atlantic Cities

The Case for Bus Rapid Transit

Bus rapid transit (BRT) is well known among planners as a cheap method to improve bus service and provide an alternative to rail, but BRT projects around the country have met resistance from an array of status quo interests.

February 26, 2014 - Atlantic Cities

Illinois Betting On Tolls to Cover Highway Costs

The state of Illinois is actively pushing two highway projects that might fail to pencil-out for users and for state taxpayers.

February 15, 2014 - Chi.Streetsblog

Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge Opens in St. Louis

The Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge opened to vehicle traffic over the weekend. The 1,500-foot cable-stayed span across the Mississippi River is touted as a traffic relief infrastructure.

February 10, 2014 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Mapping Transit "Deserts": An Imperfect Science

The first step to solving the transit “desert” problem is identifying where those deserts are. But that’s easier said than done.

February 9, 2014 - Atlantic Cities

After Tornadoes, Towns Plan for the Future

Dealing with the scars left by past tornadoes, towns like Greensburg, Kansas, have involved the community in planning efforts to rebuild and reimagine the future.

February 3, 2014 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago's Data Projects: Overblown or On Target?

Chicago's big-data projects seem unwieldy, but there is a sound core plan informing them.

January 26, 2014 - Future Cities

South Lake Shore Drive Extended in Chicago; Huge Mixed-Use Development to Follow

The October opening of a new 1.9-mile stretch of road on Chicago’s Southside anticipates a 40-year master plan for the Lakeside development—600 acres of new development in the middle of one of the country’s largest cities.

January 24, 2014 - The Architect's Newspaper

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.