Urban Nature: Notes from Chicago

So, this is a bit of a long post, but I had to set the stage for subsequent posts from Chicago. Here is a first set of images from photos I have taken this summer exploring the City of Chicago, and pondering its attempts to become a "New" city. A lecture I saw by Dr. Sally Chappell from DePaul University brought to light an interesting lens for the City of Chicago. She spoke of Chicago as a city enriched by the interplay of architecture and landscape architecture throughout its history. What I found most interesting was an idea she introduced of Chicago as a city building off a progressive design history to create a new paradigm for urban existence in the 21st century. Through its public programming, municipal policies, and major design projects, Chicago is weaving art, architecture, and ecology into an urban fabric that not only addresses issues of sustainability, but fosters a greater sense of community,civic identity, and urban culture.

Here are four sets of images from one of Chicago's best examples of this new philosophy: Millennium Park. It blends world-class art, architecture, and landscape architecture into a diverse space that welcomes people from all over the city, and integrates these works of art into the daily fabric of their lives. People relax in the Lurie Garden, which introduces an image of native ecology into the heart of downtown. Tourists and residents alike flock to "the Bean", an iconic work of sculpture that also becomes a dramatic backdrop for artistic and theatrical performances. Families spend a summer evening together underneath Pritzker Pavilion during free, classic concerts, while people also rise early on Saturday mornings to participate in free yoga classes underneath canopy. (Of note about the pavilion is just how popular the concerts are.They are packed, with people sitting on steps and standing along walls just to be able to participate in a symphony performance. Not surprisingly, since starting the series in Millennium Park, the Chicago Symphony has seen a 25% increase in membership.) And Crown Fountain creates an interesting interactive display of Chicago's diversity that is also probably the best people space in the city. It is packed all summer long with joyous kids and smiling parents from all over Chicago, and the mood is infectious for anyone who walks by.









More images will follow of other parts of the city, but I definitely think these images ask us as landscape architects what we can do to involve other disciplines in our work to design spaces that are not only beautiful works of art, but backdrops to the daily lives of people. Not only can it create richer, layered public spaces, but it also holds a potential to revitalize urban areas into vibrant communities. Thoughts?

-Brent Jacobsen