The Plan

The 1909 Plan of Chicago has a certain magnificent splendor to it. The book that outlines the Plan is as visually impressive as the design of the Plan and it commands the attentions of its viewer. In its original publication it was a massive twelve inches high by ten and a half inches wide and weighed nearly five pounds. Its gold lettering on the cover distinguishes it as a work of importance. Once opened, one is immediately drawn to view every photo, drawing, and water color the book offers. The Plan depicts an imaginary Chicago. It does not seek to show Chicago as it existed or even as Burnham himself believed that it should exist, but rather shows images that represent a beautiful Chicago as it may be possible. This text was not meant to be a code or a list of specifics that should be accomplished or even a how-to book on specifics of design, but was rather meant to give a general direction for the planning of the city.[1] This is why the images all have a certain level of haze, and the text is never completely clear on specifics, but it does provide a framework that was designed to give direction. There are several areas of improvement that the plan outlines should be addressed. Click the link to the interactive PDF below to learn more about the Plan of Chicago.

 

[1] Smith, 94.