Ongoing Initiatives
CMAP'S GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
Population in the seven counties of metropolitan Chicago is expected to reach nearly 11 million by 2040. To accommodate these 2.8 million new residents, our region has some urgent decisions to make in the very near future. Should rapid growth outward continue? Or should we consolidate housing and jobs where infrastructure already exists? Should we emphasize roads or transit — or invest in both? How can we reduce energy use while also strengthening our region’s economy?
Make Big Plans: Public Progam Series
Newberry Library
This program series designed to complement the Make Big Plans exhibition was created by the Newberry Library, the Burnham Plan Centennial and the Chicago Public Library, with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Admission is free for all programs; no reservations are required. Click on the Venue Name for a program overview, time and venue location. [MORE]
Devil in the White City Bus Tour
Chicago Architecture Foundation
This tour, offered May - September, combines a slide show of historic photos from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition with a bus tour to important sites from the Fair. The 1893 Fair was a turning point for Chicago, and Daniel Burnham was at the helm organizing and creating much of its success. This tour elaborates on stores from Erik Larson's best-selling book and creates the context for the book's remarkable events.
Tours run from 10am - 1:15pm on the following dates: [MORE]
Invent the Future Workshops
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
CMAP invites you to have your say at a GO TO 2040 Invent the Future workshop. With interactive software and keypad polling, attendees will express preferences about real-world choices that will shape the GO TO 2040 plan—and the future of our region.
To accomodate 2.8 million new residents expected by 2040, our region has some urgent decisions to make in the very near future. We can'ts solve everything at once, so it's all about trade-offs: [MORE]
Cultural Center Lecture Series
City of Chicago
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs will work with our regular lecture partners at the Cultural Center (Friends of Downtown, Landmarks Illinois, Friends of the Parks and Chicagoland Bicycle Federation) to focus as many monthly topics as possible on aspects of the Plan of Chicago, the legacy of the Plan or succeeding plans for the City.
Lead Department: The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs [MORE]
Daniel Burnham: Architect, Planner, Leader
Chicago Architecture Foundation
Created for the Centennial of the 1909 Plan of Chicago, this walking tour explores Burnham's career through examples of his work in Chicago's Loop. Learn about Burnham's impact on the architecture and planning professions as well as his unique ability to work with creative talent and community leaders to accomplish great feats.
Tours run from 1:30- 3:30 p.m. on the following dates: [MORE]
The Rookery Building Tour
Chicago Architecture Foundation
One of Chicago's most famous and beloved historic buildings, the Rookery, was designed by Daniel Burnham and John Wellbon Root from 1886-1888. This 45-minute lunch time tour will explore both the exterior and interior of this landmark. Marvel at the exquisite beauty and granderu of the highly ornamented brick and granite exterior, which some liken to a Moorish castle. Learm more about the method of construction and how the architects employed a combination of designes to maximize light and air in this early office building. [MORE]
Reinventing Public Investment: Better Choices for a Better Chicagoland Lecture Series
Metropolitan Planning Council
To what extent do investment decisions made in
Burnham “Century in Motion” Festival
DePaul University
DePaul University's centennial celebration moves into high gear with the opening of the "Century in Motion" festival on June 19, 2009. The festival continues through July 15 and offers a variety of events including family oriented programs, all open to the public. Learn about Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett's groundbreaking Plan of Chicago, attend a world-class concert, explore Chicago on a Family Day bus tour and more! Spend this historic summer in Mr. Burnham's neighborhood. [MORE]
Talks with the Team
Burnham Pavilions
Talks with the Team is a series of free informal tours of, and talks about the Burnham Pavilions featuring the staff and professionals involved with the project. The tours, which start at 5:30 pm every other Wednesday from July through October, give the public the opportunity to learn directly from the insiders about the planning, design, construction, techniques, artistry and technology involved in making the Burnham Pavilions a reality. Each team member brings their own emphasis to the talk, and will share their unique perspective. The schedule includes: [MORE]
One Book, One Chicago
Chicago Public Library
In celebration of Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett’s bold vision for our city and region, the Chicago Public Library has selected Carl Smith’s The Plan of Chicago: Daniel Burnham and the Remaking of the American City for its award-winning program, One Book, One Chicago. One Book, One Chicago encourages all Chicagoans to read the same book at the same time, offering events, discussions, exhibits and more to enhance the experience. [MORE]
GO TO 2040 Kiosk
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
How do you think we should plan for the future of northeastern Illinois? Visit the GO TO 2040 Kiosk located at the southeast corner of the Chase Promenade South and have your say! The kiosk is available for use during park hours, through October 30, 2009. For complete list of the 22 locations hosting the GO TO 2040 Kiosk, including Millennium, Union Station, the Chicago Architecture Foundation click here. [MORE]
Community Discussions: What's Next?
Chicago Public Library
Eleven Chicago Public Library locations will host community discussions featuring facilitators whose insights into the Plan of Chicago and related topics will bring added depth to the conversation. Using Carl Smith’s book, The Plan of Chicago: Daniel Burnham and the Remaking of the American City--the Fall 2009 selection for One Book, One Chicago--as a launching point, these programs will ask: How has the city been shaped by our needs these past one hundred years and how will it evolve in the next one hundred? What’s next? [MORE]
Santa Fe Building Tour
Chicago Architecture Foundation
Discover why the Santa Fe Building is considered a crown jewel of Chicago’s gilded age of architecture and the epitome of early skyscraper development during the evolution of the first Chicago School of Architecture. Designed in 1904 by D.H. Burnham & Co., you will learn the message this building has for 21st century architecture and planning.
Upcoming tour dates: [MORE]
Burnham Pavilions "Ask Me" Docents
Volunteer docents are on-site daily in Millennium Park to provide information and answer questions regarding the temporary Burnham Centennial Exhibit. "ASK ME" docents are present during weekends, high-traffic lunchtime and early evening hours on weekdays, as well as during special events in Millennium Park, June 19-November 1. [MORE]
Community Conversations
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
GO TO 2040's regional comprehensive planning campaign, scheduled for completion in 2010, seeks active citizen participation. CMAP seeks to better understand the everyday experiences of our region's residents by opening up these conversations on a local level. Community Conversations are being held in conjunction with partner organizations throughout the region. At these gatherings, we are asking residents about preferences for preserving and enhancing our region's high quality of life. [MORE]
Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham
WBEZ Radio 91.5 FM
Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham will examine the demands placed on the city and the region by the global economy. We’ll ask whether we possess all the elements to function as a global economic center in the coming decades. We’ll learn about the challenges and opportunities that our diverse residents and communities face when accessing our region’s many resources. We’ll explore the political, social and environmental questions important to our future place in the world. [MORE]
Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham
WTTW Chicago
WTTW 11 will feature Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham stories on its nightly newsmagazine Chicago Tonight every other Tuesday night throughout the year. One-hour specials will air in the spring and fall. Segments will examine regional issues through both field reporting and in-studio discussions. To view a listing of WTTW's Beyond Burnham programs click here. [MORE]
Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham
Chicago Public Library
The Chicago Public Library will bring special book and media collections to a number of branches; host community forums; present programs featuring authors, subject specialists and artists; and host book discussions throughout the summer. For a complete listing of CPL’s Beyond Burnham programs click here.
[MORE]
Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham
The Chicago Reporter
Through the Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham series The Chicago Reporter will provide its unique perspective and voice on the social, economic and political issues of metropolitan Chicago. Reports, data analyses and storytelling will be captured in vivid magazine packages published in three bimonthly print editions, beginning with our July/August issue. We will also use our blog and our Web site to break news, update previous stories, and comment on the content provided by our Chicago Matters media partners, WTTW 11, Chicago Public Radio and the Chicago Public Library. [MORE]