Planning is part of the Chicago region's history. While the Burnham Plan Centennial is celebrating this great tradition, it is simultaneoulsy attempting to refocus our attention on and galvanize participation in future planning for a sustainable, prosperous and equitable region... and next week that lens shifts to regional water supply issues.
As part the Burnham Plan Centennial, the Center for Real Estate Law at the John Marshall Law School presents its “Water as a Resource: Impact on Real Estate Ownership, Development and Land Use Policy,” on Friday, Nov. 20, from 1:15-5:30 p.m., at the John Marshall Law School, 315 S. Plymouth St., Chicago. The forum will explore the relationship between water availability and ownership of real estate. The conference is open to the public and CLE credits are available. There is a fee of $100 to attend. Reservations at www.jmls.edu/kratovil-reg.
Here on the shores of Lake Michigan, as opposed to the more arid western U.S., the need to develop strategies for meeting increased demand on finite water supplies is only now becoming widely understood. The fact is, given regional population projections, growth patterns, and possible climate changes, our current consumption patterns of water from sources like Lake Michigan, the Fox River, and deep and shallow aquifers are not on a sustainable course. The forthcoming regional water supply plan should put us on the right track to needed conservation practices and efficiency improvments, but will need support from both the state and local units of government.
We tend to only talk about water issues during droughts and floods, which often leads to reactive measures instead of proactive policies that will protect finite and fragile water supplies. However, with public events like “Water as a Resource" and MPC and Openlands' recent forum, the ongoing meetings of the regional water supply planning group, and recent media coverage of Chicago's rumored interest in privatizing its water system, northeastern Illinois is talking about water at a time when prudent, long-range decisions can be made.
Not only is that exciting, but a fitting tribute to the foresight and action of Daniel Burnham and his peers.