The Chicago Riverwalk: urban sustainability lessons

Abstract

Purpose

This paper reviews, summarizes and pieces together scattered information on the newly completed Chicago Riverwalk in Chicago, Illinois. It explains the design process that transformed an outmoded infrastructure and disused river banks into an attractive gathering civic space, a linear urban park and a functional transportation corridor.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review.

Findings

Overall, the paper reports on one of the latest projects in Chicago that symbolizes the city's long history and earnest commitment to urban sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

The paper identifies key urban sustainability lessons that are transferable to other cities.

Originality/value

It is the first paper that stitches together scattered information on the topic.

Citation

Al-Kodmany, K.M. (2021), "The Chicago Riverwalk: urban sustainability lessons", Archnet-IJAR, Vol. 15 No. 3, pp. 449-466. https://doi.org/10.1108/ARCH-03-2021-0070