Beyond Burnham: An Illustrated History of Planning for the Chicago Region

by Joseph P. Schwieterman, Alan P. Mammoser

Beyond Burnham provides a fascinating account of a century of visionary planning for metropolitan Chicago. From Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett’s famed 1909 Plan of Chicago to the push for superhighways and airports to battles over urban sprawl, the book showcases an illustrated portrait of the big personalities and the “big plans” they espoused. The human face of planning appears in the interplay between public officials and citizen advocates. Powerful institutions—the Chicago Plan Commission and Regional Transportation Authority, among others—emerge to promote metropolitan goals. Some efforts succeed while others fail, but the work of planners lives on in efforts to shape new visions for the region’s future.

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Bingustini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beyond Burnham is at its strongest when it focuses on a particular topic such as highways or airports. Unfortunately, a lot of the book is a chronological account of planning in greater Chicago. The history is focused around particular figures and organizations. This gives the reader a good idea of the behind-the-scenes, but the details will probably be beyond the interest of many who aren't involved in the field of planning.

There are a lot of great pictures in the book, and it is quite a bit of fun both to get an idea of how what came to be is as well as what the Chicago area could have looked like had things gone differently.

[Amy Do · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comprehensive history of 100+ years of planning in the greater Chicago region. Very informative and beginner-friendly introduction to regional planning issues. The highlights of achievement in highway construction and difficulties in unifying transit systems are also presented compellingly.