dark city: chicago's plan to become the city of light

credit (base image): Monica Thorpe (CC)

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has proposed a citywide plan to boost tourism centered on the city's architecture. Citywide has been used rather loosely, as the plan actually seems to be focused solely downtown.

Perhaps a plan to preserve and enhance the unique architectural face of Chicago...? Saving the next Prentice up for demolition through international competition brings world-wide attention, world-class architecture and the finished project looks great in Lonely Planet. 

Alas, the city has chosen to go in another direction - flashy lights (I'm fully aware that's dangerously close to two Kanye references in one post) or the 'light-up initiative' as it's referred to in the Sun-Times. In direct opposition to a $13 million dollar plan to 'green up' 60 government buildings, the initiative calls for collaboration between artists, architects and engineers to lightscape a new interface for the city. The interface would take the shape of a 3-D light experience, theater in light that would cost the city an uncalculated sum and "create a conversation about Chicago that's heard around the world."

Never mind the myriad of objections from anyone with any sustainability conscience as they'll presumably be standing just behind the far greater number of objectors that are wondering who'll actually be footing the bill to turn the Chicago River into a light show; the plan is exceptionally superficial.

Urban planners, architects, and engineers are trained to offer far more sophisticated and responsible solutions than unchecked energy usage, lights and lasers. Credible plans like the Riverwalk development, in "progress," build the kind of river culture that strengthens the city and makes it a desirable tourism destination. Perhaps by embracing a sustainable plan for the city's future, Chicago will really become La Ville-Lumière, a city of light, a city of reason.

*All commentary aside, the article was a great excuse to try some things in Photoshop I didn't already know.