audiobook

Plan of Chicago

by Commercial Club of Chicago, Edward H. (Edward Herbert) Bennett, Daniel Hudson Burnham

EN·~7 hours·14 chapters

Chapters

14 total

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

7:42

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

10:37

THE COMMERCIAL CLUB OF CHICAGO

2:30

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS PRIOR TO JUNE 1, 1909

7:06

CHAPTER I ORIGIN OF THE PLAN OF CHICAGO: THE WORLD’S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION OF 1893 AND ITS RESULTS: THE SPIRIT OF CHICAGO

14:42

CHAPTER II CITY PLANNING IN ANCIENT AND MODERN TIMES: COMMERCE A LEADING MOTIVE IN CITY BUILDING: BABYLON, EGYPT, ATHENS, AND ROME: MEDIÆVAL CITIES: THE DEVELOPMENT OF PARIS: CITY PLANNING IN GERMANY: OVERCOMING CONGESTION IN LONDON: WASHINGTON A CITY BUILT ON A PLAN: OTHER AMERICAN CITIES

44:54

CHAPTER III CHICAGO THE METROPOLIS OF THE MIDDLE WEST: REASONS FOR EXPECTING CONTINUOUS GROWTH: THE SUBURBS: A LAKESIDE DRIVEWAY ALONG LAKE MICHIGAN: CONNECTIONS BETWEEN OUTLYING CITIES: THE BUILDING OF GOOD ROADS

34:14

CHAPTER IV THE CHICAGO PARK SYSTEM: THE MOVEMENT FOR PARK EXTENSION: PLAYGROUNDS: OUTLYING PARK SYSTEMS IN LONDON, PARIS, BERLIN, VIENNA, AND BOSTON: PROPOSED TREATMENT OF THE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORE: AN OUTER PARK BELT

42:19

CHAPTER V TRANSPORTATION: A FREIGHT CENTER: GROUPING OF PASSENGER STATIONS: A LOOP SYSTEM

37:28

CHAPTER VI NATURAL FEATURES OF CHICAGO: NECESSITY FOR COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT OF THE STREET SYSTEM: STREETS WITHIN THE CITY: THE RESIDENCE STREET, THE AVENUE, AND THE BOULEVARD: STREET ARCHITECTURE: THE STREETS OF CHICAGO: PROPOSED NEW CIRCUITS

46:38

Description

In this richly illustrated work, the authors trace the evolution of urban design from ancient civilizations through the Renaissance and into the modern era, showing how commerce, culture, and ambition have shaped great cities. By examining the bold visions that guided Paris, London, Washington, and others, the book sets the stage for understanding why a comprehensive plan was essential for a rapidly expanding Chicago at the turn of the twentieth century.

Turning to the Windy City itself, the narrative explores the challenges of post‑fire rebuilding, the rise of suburban life, and the creation of a sweeping park system and transportation network. Detailed maps and thoughtful commentary reveal how proposed highways, lakefront boulevards, and coordinated rail and freight hubs were intended to balance efficiency, beauty, and public health. Listeners gain a clear sense of how early planners imagined a livable, forward‑looking metropolis—and why those ideas still resonate today.

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Details

Language

Duration

~7 hours (454K characters)

Release date

Aug 11, 2025

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

Source

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/76669

Subjects

City planning -- Illinois -- Chicago -- History -- 20th century NA

About the authors

Commercial Club of Chicago

A longtime Chicago civic organization, this nonprofit has spent well over a century bringing business leaders together to shape the city and region’s future. Its story connects to major debates about public policy, economic growth, and Chicago’s place in the wider Midwest.

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Edward H. (Edward Herbert) Bennett

1874–1954

Best known for helping shape the 1909 Plan of Chicago, this British-born architect and city planner brought Beaux-Arts training to some of the most ambitious urban projects of the early 20th century. His work helped turn big civic ideas into detailed plans for streets, parks, and public spaces.

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Daniel Hudson Burnham

1846–1912

A driving force behind the modern American city, this architect and planner helped shape Chicago’s skyline and gave urban design one of its most famous rallying cries: think big. His work joined practical ambition with grand public vision, from landmark buildings to influential city plans.

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