Illinois
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Friday Eye Candy: A Minecraft Duplicate of Chicago
An exemplary display of Minecraft prowess.
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.
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."
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.
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.
Signs Coordinating Public Transit Organizations Could Save Chicago Money
Daniel Kay Hertz argues that, besides improving service, a little signage could save the city of Chicago billions of dollars in service expansion costs.
Driving Uber, Sleeping in Parking Lots
In San Francisco, many who drive for Uber sleep in parking lots and live elsewhere to avoid sky-high rents.
Chicago Could Lose the Blues
An editorial in Crain's suggests that by not taking full advantage of its history with the Blues, Chicago is wasting a precious cultural resource and missing an opportunity for tourism dollars.
How Chicago Got its Cultural Center
The history of the Chicago Cultural Center, "the nation's first and most comprehensive free municipal cultural venue," offers insight into the shifting relationships between culture, politics, and money in the third-largest city in the United States.
First on Chicago's Wish List from the Trump Administration: $1 Billion for Union Station
The Emanuel Administration has yet to secure needed funding for a big project to update Chicago's Union Station. Now it's up to the Trump Administration to supply a needed loan.
Lead Testing Mandated in Illinois Schools
After a scandal exposed widespread lead contamination in Chicago schools, new legislation requires regular lead testing.
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
