2015 CNU ILLINOIS EVENTS
December | Holiday Party & Awards Ceremony
Our holiday party at the Cliff Dwellers Club afforded guests an opportunity to enjoy music, appetizers, cocktails and great conversation. We honored three exemplary New Urbanist professional submissions and one academic submission with our 2015 Illinois Charter Award. We were also pleased to present George A. Ranney, Jr. with our Urban Citizen Award. Congratulations to all of the 2015 winners. Special thanks to our 2015 jury; Christopher Dillion (Campbell Coyle Real Estate), Benet Haller (City of Chicago), Karin Miller (YR&G), Jennifer Settle (MGLM Architects, Jury Co-Chair) and Stacey Meekins (Sam Schwartz Engineering, Jury Co-Chair).
View the 2015 Charter Award Winners here.
October | State Poly-Conference
CNU Illinois 8: Value in Urbanism
Along with this year’s co-host, the Illinois Chapter of the US Green Building Council, CNU Illinois presented “Green Places, Healthy People: Green Infrastructure as a Public Health Strategy.” Presentations by Luke Leung, Director of the Sustainability Engineering Studio at SOM, and by Jay Womack, Director of WRD Environmental, were followed by an audience participation activity led by The Green Facilitator, Michelle Halle Stern. Nearly 50 participants had the opportunity to collaborate and reach consensus around solutions for a real-life scenario connecting environmental conditions and population health. Additionally, our event sponsor, the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, shared their current initiatives to improve the delivery of healthcare services in the Chicago area.
The full program for CNU Illinois 8 is available here.
Jay Womack - WRD Environmental
October - The Green Event
Michelle Halle Stern - Green Facilitator
September | State Poly-Conference
CNU Illinois 8: Value in Urbanism
Along with this year’s co-host, the Municipal Design Review Network, CNU Illinois presented “Density by Design: Data and Decisions about Growth.” More than 30 attendees joined us for a presentation by the nationally-recognized principal of Urban3, Joseph Minicozzi, featuring his visually-compelling data supporting the financial case for municipal density. After the presentation, attendees had the opportunity to participate in small group workshops with site planning exercises in three local municipalities; Des Plaines, Kenilworth and Libertyville.
The full program for CNU Illinois 8 is available here.
August | Community Tactical Urbanism
Along with co-hosts AIA Chicago and the Sunnyside Mall Committee, CNU Illinois welcomed over 40 participants to install a series of colorful interventions to enliven the Sunnyside Pedestrian Mall located in the Sheridan Park neighborhood of Chicago’s Uptown district. This community-driven “Tactical Urbanism” intervention provided the neighborhood organization and local residents with the valuable opportunity to test some creative ideas utilizing temporary materials before pursuing more permanent installations and transformations of this linear plaza.
June | Fulton Market District Walking Tour
Along with our event co-host, the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association, CNU Illinois welcomed thirty members and guests on a tour of Chicago's Fulton Market District. Already known as one of the City's premier areas for food, entertainment and culture, this West Loop neighborhood is now attracting start-ups and tech giants alike as the new focal point for the City’s ongoing technology and innovation boom. Our tour was led by Benet Haller, Director of Urban Design and Planning for the City of Chicago and Scott Goodman, the Founding Principal of Sterling Bay Real Estate.
May | Tactical Urbanism Slam
In May CNU Illinois and AIA Chicago co-hosted a “Tactical Urbanism Slam” powered by Pecha Kucha. The evening featured eight presenters showcasing a diversity of tactical urbanism interventions. With nearly 90 guests attending it was standing room only at our sponsor’s location, the Center for Neighborhood Technology in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. In addition to enjoying the presentations, attendees were treated to wine and beer refreshments generously sponsored by AIA Chicago and the Lakota Group. Thanks to AIA Chicago and Place Lab, you can see video of all eight presentations here. (Time: 1:09)
April | Destination Happy Hour
In April, nearly thirty CNU Illinois members and guests headed to the Kennedy Planned Manufacturing District on Chicago’s northwest side for an informal happy hour and private tour at Revolution Brewing. Led by Tap Room Manager, John Sowles, attendees were treated to an oral history of the brewery as well as a behind-the-scene visit to this 90,000ft² production brewery and canning facility. The event also include opportunities to sample some of the Chicago’s best-known craft brews.
