Blair Kamin argues for the need for new Mayor Rahm Emanuel to carry on the enlightened relationship with design established by his predecessor, former Mayor Richard M. Daley, especially in light of recently announced initiatives.
Kamin frames Emanuel's recent announcement of the city's ambitious push to upgrade its aging infrastructure within the Mayor's, thus disappointing, relationship with, and recognition for, good design. Kamin cites the high bar set by Emanuel's predecessor in office as a laudable goal for the new mayor: "Daley raised the standards for mayoral involvement in urban design, simultaneously upgrading Chicago's quality of life and its outdated Rust Belt image. Backsliding shouldn't be an option."
Lamenting recently released plans for "BRT Lite," which Kamin calls a missed opportunity, he takes the uninspiring and tentative concept as an lesson in what the city should not be aiming to fund with its proposed Infrastructure Trust. "If Emanuel wants to make his infrastructure trust truly transformative, good design should be an essential part of the package, not an afterthought."
FULL STORY: Design must be on the agenda as Chicago embarks upon infrastructure improvement plan
Op-Ed: Invest More in Chicago's Buses
In addition to funding the city's roadways and trains, Chicago could use new federal infrastructure dollars to shore up its bus system and invest in bus rapid transit that would improve service for riders.
Editorial Board Calls for Tax Increment Financing Reform in Chicago
The Chicago Tribune says the city of Chicago can't be trusted with tax increment financing (TIF), so it's time for a do-over.
O'Hare Tunnel, Proposed by Elon Musk, Looks Dead on Arrival in Chicago's New Political Regime
Advocates are relieved Elon Musk's proposal to build a new subterranean connection to O'Hare is dead, but still disappointed at the wasted brainpower and public funding devoted to the idea.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service