Re-Connection - October 2010

Last Wednesday, Oct. 13, before a crowd of about 800 people, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) launched the implementation phase of its GO TO 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan. The very next day, the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded CMAP a $4.25 million Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant to provide local technical assistance. The good news continued yesterday with a $2.35 million Sustainable Communities Challenge Grant from HUD to a groundbreaking collaboration across more than two dozen communities in south Cook County to implement coordinated community development plans.

Where We Stand

CMAP’s GO TO 2040 plan, the region’s first comprehensive plan in more than a century, has been in the works for nearly five years and benefited from extensive public input, including from MPC. It focuses on four core priorities — livable communities, human capital, efficient governance, and regional mobility — to achieve what CMAP calls “sustainable prosperity.” With 12 recommendations and related indicators to measure impact, the plan will take both small steps and great strides toward a region our future generations deserve. The fortuitously timed grants from HUD will help CMAP and its partners jumpstart implementation.

MPC is thrilled with CMAP’s plan (and mighty impressed so many people turned out for its launch in the midst of a downpour). GO TO 2040 envisions the same kind of region we at MPC do; one that is competitive, equitable and sustainable. The plan captures the essence of such MPC solutions as interjurisdictional collaboration, water supply planning, employer-assisted housing, and congestion pricing. In our 2011 work plan, there are several projects through which we can help CMAP carry out aspects GO TO 2040.

It’s no big surprise MPC and CMAP have strong synergy. In the 1950s, MPC was the champion for Chicagoland’s first regional planning entity, and again in the 1990s, for the new and improved CMAP itself.

Project Progress Report: What Our Water's Worth

MPC and Openlands have been working together since 2003 to improve policies that protect and preserve water resources in northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana. This month, we are launching a multiyear, multimedia communications campaign to raise awareness about the value of water in our region.

The name of the campaign, What Our Water’s Worth (WOWW), is a concept to be explored through a monthly e-newsletter and the web site Chicagolandh2o.org, which presents:

The entire campaign explores a central idea: From Lake Michigan to the Fox River, how we use our water resources – including what we conserve, how much we waste, and what we choose to invest in water quality – is up to each of us. This is our water – and it’s worth more than we know.

The WOWW campaign also poses the question, “What is water worth to you?” Through the blog and Facebook page, and via e-mail at info@chicagolandh2o.org, we hope you’ll answer that question by sharing your own stories, thoughts and information that illustrate the value of water in your daily life. Join us in making water something our entire region values!

This campaign is sponsored by Illinois American Water. You, too, can support this public awareness campaign about the value of water in our region. Donate today! >>

Hop on the bus to tour Chicagoland’s great public places

This summer, two dozen places were nominated in the MPC-Chicago Architecture Foundation “What Makes Your Place Great? Your Secret Corner of Chicagoland” contest. See for yourself what makes these places great by registering for an exclusive CAF bus tour featuring some of the winning places, as well as other nominees, on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010. The tour will depart from CAF, 224 S. Michigan Ave., at 9:00 a.m., and return at approximately 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for CAF/MPC members and $30 otherwise. Proceeds benefit Placemaking Chicago.

CAF also is featuring contest entries in a digital presentation in the Lecture Hall Gallery, on view Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 15 through Oct. 30.

Greenbuild 2010 is coming back to Chicago Nov. 17-19, 2010. The conference will take place at McCormick Place West, the site of Greenbuild 2007 – but with twice as much space to accommodate the tremendous growth of the Greenbuild community, including staff and volunteers from MPC, a proud Bioregional Partner in the conference.

We hope you'll join us at Greenbuild 2010, where together we'll define what the future looks like in cities and towns around the world. As one of the first cities to adopt LEED for public buildings, Chicago is home to more LEED-certified buildings than any other location - truly the perfect place to celebrate being part of Generation Green.


October 2010	www.metroplanning.org
Last Wednesday, Oct. 13, before a crowd of about 800 people, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) launched the implementation phase of its GO TO 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan. The very next day, the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded CMAP a $4.25 million Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant to provide local technical assistance. The good news continued yesterday with a $2.35 million Sustainable Communities Challenge Grant from HUD to a groundbreaking collaboration across more than two dozen communities in south Cook County to implement coordinated community development plans. Where We Stand CMAP’s GO TO 2040 plan, the region’s first comprehensive plan in more than a century, has been in the works for nearly five years and benefited from extensive public input, including from MPC. It focuses on four core priorities — livable communities, human capital, efficient governance, and regional mobility — to achieve what CMAP calls “sustainable prosperity.” With 12 recommendations and related indicators to measure impact, the plan will take both small steps and great strides toward a region our future generations deserve. The fortuitously timed grants from HUD will help CMAP and its partners jumpstart implementation. MPC is thrilled with CMAP’s plan (and mighty impressed so many people turned out for its launch in the midst of a downpour). GO TO 2040 envisions the same kind of region we at MPC do; one that is competitive, equitable and sustainable. The plan captures the essence of such MPC solutions as interjurisdictional collaboration, water supply planning, employer-assisted housing, and congestion pricing. In our 2011 work plan, there are several projects through which we can help CMAP carry out aspects GO TO 2040. It’s no big surprise MPC and CMAP have strong synergy. In the 1950s, MPC was the champion for Chicagoland’s first regional planning entity, and again in the 1990s, for the new and improved CMAP itself. Read why MPC is so excited about GO TO 2040 >> Read MPC President MarySue Barrett’s blog post on how GO TO 2040 will shape our region’s future transportation network >> Learn how the southern suburbs will use their grant funding to improve this part of the region >> Download CMAP’s GO TO 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan >> Project Progress Report: What Our Water's Worth MPC and Openlands have been working together since 2003 to improve policies that protect and preserve water resources in northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana. This month, we are launching a multiyear, multimedia communications campaign to raise awareness about the value of water in our region. The name of the campaign, What Our Water’s Worth (WOWW), is a concept to be explored through a monthly e-newsletter and the web site Chicagolandh2o.org, which presents: stories and video interviews featuring people from our region who value water in remarkable ways data and an interactive map explaining where our water comes from; and tips and resources for responsible water use. The entire campaign explores a central idea: From Lake Michigan to the Fox River, how we use our water resources – including what we conserve, how much we waste, and what we choose to invest in water quality – is up to each of us. This is our water – and it’s worth more than we know. The WOWW campaign also poses the question, “What is water worth to you?” Through the blog and Facebook page, and via e-mail at info@chicagolandh2o.org, we hope you’ll answer that question by sharing your own stories, thoughts and information that illustrate the value of water in your daily life. Join us in making water something our entire region values! Read the first story in the WOWW campaign, which explores Chicago's ongoing quest to maintain 4,500 miles of water pipes >> Subscribe to receive the monthly What Our Water’s Worth e-newsletter >> Find out where your water comes from by visiting the What Our Water’s Worth web site >> This campaign is sponsored by Illinois American Water. You, too, can support this public awareness campaign about the value of water in our region. Donate today! >> Hop on the bus to tour Chicagoland’s great public places This summer, two dozen places were nominated in the MPC-Chicago Architecture Foundation “What Makes Your Place Great? Your Secret Corner of Chicagoland” contest. See for yourself what makes these places great by registering for an exclusive CAF bus tour featuring some of the winning places, as well as other nominees, on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010. The tour will depart from CAF, 224 S. Michigan Ave., at 9:00 a.m., and return at approximately 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for CAF/MPC members and $30 otherwise. Proceeds benefit Placemaking Chicago. CAF also is featuring contest entries in a digital presentation in the Lecture Hall Gallery, on view Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 15 through Oct. 30. Register today for the Chicago Architecture Foundation-MPC bus tour on Saturday, Oct. 30 >> Register today for Greenbuild 2010! Greenbuild 2010 is coming back to Chicago Nov. 17-19, 2010. The conference will take place at McCormick Place West, the site of Greenbuild 2007 – but with twice as much space to accommodate the tremendous growth of the Greenbuild community, including staff and volunteers from MPC, a proud Bioregional Partner in the conference. We hope you'll join us at Greenbuild 2010, where together we'll define what the future looks like in cities and towns around the world. As one of the first cities to adopt LEED for public buildings, Chicago is home to more LEED-certified buildings than any other location - truly the perfect place to celebrate being part of Generation Green. Register for Greenbuild 2010 today! >> MPC Headlines Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant FAQs What should be on the new Chicago mayor’s to do list? High-speed rail: the long view Blumenauer: Vision, value, citizen infrastructure key to reforming policies André Navarri, president and COO of Bombardier Transportation, speaks about high-speed rail to MPC's Leadership Circle Stop, don't yield: Is new crosswalk law working in your community?	Subscribe to MPC's feeds for fresh content daily MPC in the News Carp invasion may prompt changes to waterways Chicago News Cooperative, The New York Times, 10/17/2010 Group helps families out of debt TribLocal.com, 10/13/2010 Change to River's Flow Considered To Stop Carp National Public Radio, 10/7/2010 Daley: City ready for super-fast train Chicago Tribune, 10/3/2010 Chicago Has Nation's Easiest Rush Hour Commute. Really. Chicago Public Radio, 9/29/2010 CTA Red Line sets sights on South Side extension Chicago Tribune, 9/26/2010 News of Interest Local efforts to help the earth Aurora, Ill., is featured The New York Times, 10/14/2010 Transportation for American joins bipartisan meeting on President Obama’s infrastructure proposal Transportation for America blog, 10/11/2010 Regional planners unveil vision for Chicago area in 2040 Chicago Tribune, CityScapes blog, 10/11/2010 Become a fan of MPC on Facebook Follow MPC on Twitter Re-Connection is MPC's monthly e-newsletter. 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Where We Stand

Project Progress Report: What Our Water's Worth

Hop on the bus to tour Chicagoland’s great public places

Register today for Greenbuild 2010!

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