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The Commission on Chicago Landmarks has approved a preliminary designation for a dense array of vernacular buildings in the heart of Pilsen.

Scientific studies have shown that Artic people and men handle winter temps better. More thyroid activity, shorter limbs, and brown fat all contribute to cold tolerance.

CDOT has designed a prototype parklet, which it will make available to the public. It’s intended to restart the City’s bumpy foray into more pedestrian friendly street use by shaving k – k off design permitting costs. The City will designate retail “Thrive” zones for the parklets.

WTTW reports that Chicago will expand bike share to all parts of the city, using a portion of its .5 million Bloomberg Philanthropies grant to reduce greenhouse emissions.

Michael Lewyn reviews – or conveys his take-away – Daniel Kay Hertz’s book The Battle for Lincoln Park. The book chronicles the neighborhood gentrifiers suppression of density in the neighborhood. Lewyn pegs that suppression as the primary cause of displacement of the prior working families.

A recent study reveals that Chicagoans of color more likely to be exposed to environmental toxins. See article link above.

David Childs of Skidmore Owings & Merrill designed a tw0-tower project on behalf of Related West for the Spire site. Representing the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago’s 42nd ward, Alderman Brendan rejected the design at 400 North Lake Shore Drive because of the height and bulk of the podium, a hotel use, and traffic concerns related to the location of the primary entrance. See the article in Arhcitects Newspaper for the full story.

A New York Times article says “it helps to have a transit- loving mayor” in lauding, actually envying, the improvements and upgrades of Chicago’s L vs the similar vintage NYC subway.

According to CMAP, “Regions that are more inclusive have longer, stronger periods of prosperity and shorter periods of stagnation.”