Chicago

Less Paint, More Barriers, Make for Better Urban Cycling
New research from the University of Colorado Denver and the University of New Mexico sheds light on how to make cities safer for cyclists and other road users and refutes some assumptions about bike safety, such as "safety-in-numbers."

The Many Nicknames for Chicago's Elevated Railway
The el/El/L debate has never been resolved, but the CTA says its usage is the correct one.

State Supreme Court Upholds Food Truck Regulations in Chicago
A question of whose business is suppressing whose in the city of Chicago was decided by the State Supreme Court.

The Threat of Urban Flooding in Chicago
Chicago residents living in low-lying parts of the city dread the rainfall that too often brings flooding.

Design Thinking Needs a Broader Perspective
A design-focused study of mode choice doesn’t consider the many ways people interact with and travel through urban environments.

Smart Cities Should Also Be Inclusive and Accessible Cities
The Inclusive Innovation Playbook provides guidance about how to create smart cities without leaving anyone behind.

New Airport Proposed for Chicago Suburbs Has Supporters and Doubters
Questions raised by a proposal to build a new airport 37 miles south of Downtown Chicago: Does the region even need a new airport? And would this particular airport proposal serve to induce more sprawl in the region?

Bolstering Urban Resilience in Chicago
The city’s resilience plan seeks to identify shocks and stresses while fostering equity and community.
On-Demand Shuttle Expands Service Area in Chicago
Via will now operate in a much larger portion of Chicago.

Amtrak Connection Between Indianapolis and Chicago Cut by State Budget
The state of Indiana didn't have $3 million to spare to keep the Hoosier State Amtrak passenger rail line operational.

Opportunity Zone Investors Look to Fuel Tech in Chicago
One venture plans to fund a 100-acre campus for tech, bioscience, and medical research in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood.

The New Skyscraper on the Block in Chicago
The Second City has a new third-tallest skyscraper.

'Bus Priority Zones' Program Launching in Chicago
The city of Chicago will address some of the street configuration issues that plague bus service on its most-heavily used corridors.

A Website to Report and Map Street Repair Work
The ChiSreetWork website, which updates the location of street repairs and was originally intended for internal use at City Hall, is now publicly available in Chicago.

New Policy Would Likely Close Commuter Rail Stations on the South Side of Chicago
A new station evaluation policy, expected for adoption by the Metra Board of Directors in May, would make it easier to shut down "underperforming" stations.

Lincoln Yards Mega-Development Clears Final Legislative Hurdle
A Chicago City Council vote to approve tax increment financing for the massive Lincoln Yards redevelopment proposal scored a surprising reversal and a big win for outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel, with an assist from Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot.

First City to Make Ride-Hailing Trip Data Public: Chicago
Data geeks in Chicago will get the first chance to crunch detailed data on transportation network company trips in their city.

Chicago Sets Goal for 100 Percent Clean Energy by 2040
A non-binding resolution is a small step in the direction of clean energy.

Comprehensive Building Code Update Approved in Chicago
Chicago's new building code is hailed as a major achievement for the city, labor unions, and the construction and development industries in the city.

Bus/Bike Lanes Find Support in Chicago
A temporary bus/bike lane experiment could lead to permanent additions around the city.
Pagination
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