In 1909, planner Daniel Burnham proposed his grand Plan of Chicago:
“Because Chicago’s transportation infrastructure was so congested—the railroads, harbor and streets were a disorganized mess—the plan analyzed the city within a 60-mile radius, proposing boulevards connecting the center to the outlying suburbs and the suburbs to one another. While the full street system was not built, the proposal for a double-level boulevard to handle commercial and regular traffic was realized in Wacker Drive—still a wonder to visitors from congested cities. The plan urged that the Chicago River be straightened, as indeed it was, to produce more efficient water-borne commerce and transportation.”
The one time I drove through Chicago, I thought it was gorgeous. At the time, I’d never been to NYC, which I’ve since become pretty familiar with. Another visit to Chicago is definitely in order, I’m interested to compare the two.
