Burnham Plan for Chicago

The Burnham Plan, created in 1909 by city planners Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett, was a comprehensive blueprint to redesign Chicago’s urban layout. It aimed to improve city transportation, public spaces, and overall beauty by organizing parks, thoroughfares, and skylines. The plan proposed grand boulevards, improved rail and transit systems, and better land use, with an emphasis on aesthetics and functionality. Although not all ideas were immediately implemented, the plan fundamentally influenced Chicago’s development, making the city more accessible, attractive, and organized, setting a foundation for its growth into a modern metropolis.