Illinois
Researchers Develop 7 Metrics to Evaluate Bike And Pedestrian Projects
New research lays the groundwork for a universal standard by which to measure effectiveness of bike and pedestrian infrastructure projects.
Tear It Down and They Will Come?
There's a rationale for the demolition of vacant properties in cities like Chicago, but does that mean the city should be celebrating these programs? The planning of shrinking cities, it turns out, is still very much a work in progress.
Op-Ed: More Domestic Migration Needed in the United States
An op-ed in the New York Times makes a cogent case for increasing movement between states for self-betterment, specifically from high unemployment states to states like New Hampshire and North Dakota, and what policy changes would encourage it.
A Chicago Bike Path Goes Underused
While a federally-funded network of bike paths is in the works elsewhere in the city, the Major Taylor Trail gets little use from Chicago residents. The main problems are a lack of awareness and the South Side's fearsome reputation.
Uber and Lyft Could Be Ready to Exit Chicago, Too
After leaving Austin on the losing side of a regulatory battle, a licensing ordinance might push Uber and Lyft to end operations in Chicago.
Black Flight From Gun Violence: Chicago's Loss Is Suburbia's Gain
Middle class African-Americans are fleeing Chicago due to crime, not due to being priced out, as is common elsewhere. "On average more than 10,000 African-Americans leave the city every," reports Brandis Friedman of WTTW for the PBS NewsHour.
Why Chicago Park Advocates Want to Preserve a Parking Lot
A Chicago nonprofit drew criticism for opposing the planned Lucas Museum in favor of a large parking lot. But the organization says it fits into their mission of promoting open space.
Will Chicago Be the Next to Jump on the Sky Gondola?
Chicago's looking for a new tourist attraction, and the sky gondola has made the short list. Private investors have proposed to construct a sky gondola as a tourist attraction crossing over the Chicago River, but will the plan fly?
Chicago Chinatown's an Outlier of Success
While the cultural authenticity and geographic footprint of Chinatowns around the United States shrink, Chicago's is growing. What can other cities learn from Chicago's model?
Lead Exceeds Federal Standards in 200 Illinois Public Water Systems
A distressing report on the state of the water supply infrastructure in Illinois reveals the need for better analysis and reporting of water quality.
Illinois Voters to Decide on Transportation Trust Fund in November
Instead of voting on new taxes to reduce transportation revenue shortfalls, Illinois voters will decide on a constitutional amendment to ensure that transportation fees and taxes are only spent on roads and transit, the so-called "lockbox" measure.
Get Around Chicago Like an Insider with 20 Apps
These 20 apps and services will help you engage with everything Chicago has to offer in a whole new way.
Leaving Chicago
Why are folks fleeing from the city and the state in record numbers? Is domestic migration to blame for the Chicago region's population loss last year of over 6,000 and the state's loss of over 22,000 people?
Chicago's Transit Oriented Developments Becoming More Affluent
The city of Chicago is focusing its development incentives around transit stations, but the people moving into those neighborhoods tend to be wealthier than previous residents.
Why Do People Drive When They Don't Want To?
City Observatory digs into the history of a Chicago suburb to answer the question: "Why don't people who say they'd like to take transit actually do it?"
After the Scourge: Regions Struggle to Sustain Plantlife
The Chicago Region Trees Initiative provides a regional model for planting and protecting a sustainable natural environment in and around cities and communities.
PBS Takes on Urban Planning, Good and Bad, with '10 Towns' Special
Beginning with the first U.S. planned urban development, St. Augustine, Fla., and ending with one of Portland's newest neighborhoods, the Pearl District, host Geoffrey Baer takes us through ten developments that left their mark, for better or worse.
Illinois Considering a Vehicle Miles Traveled Tax
Illinois State Senate President John Cullerton released a infrastructure funding plan earlier this month that includes a proposal for a vehicle miles traveled tax.
$8 Billion 'Chicago Bypass' Freight Line Proposed
A private developer is pursuing a proposal that would invest $8 billion in a freight line in the Midwest.
Report: Increase Gas Tax to Solve Illinois' $43 Billion Transportation Problem
There's good news and bad news in a new report on the state of transportation infrastructure in the state of Illinois.
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
