How Chicago is Being Unbuilt: Back to Nature

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Cities around the globe are looking to restore native ecologies, turning back the clock on the destructive landscape practices of past few centuries. The same is true for Chicago, which has a number of experiments along its shores to unbuild the city and find the most effective practices for doing so. In this video, we walk to a few of these sites and explore their techniques for unbuilding the city in order to give it back to nature. The five sites are: Northerly Island, the Field Museum, Millennium Park, the River Walk, and the Wild Mile. We look at each closely to see just how their before and after reveals changing attitudes toward living with nature.
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_About the Channel_
Architecture with Stewart is a KZbin journey exploring architecture’s deep and enduring stories in all their bewildering glory. Weekly videos and occasional live events breakdown a wide range of topics related to the built environment in order to increase their general understanding and advocate their importance in shaping the world we inhabit.
_About Me_
Stewart Hicks is an architectural design educator that leads studios and lecture courses as an Associate Professor in the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He also serves as an Associate Dean in the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts and is the co-founder of the practice Design With Company. His work has earned awards such as the Architecture Record Design Vanguard Award or the Young Architect’s Forum Award and has been featured in exhibitions such as the Chicago Architecture Biennial and Design Miami, as well as at the V&A Museum and Tate Modern in London. His writings can be found in the co-authored book Misguided Tactics for Propriety Calibration, published with the Graham Foundation, as well as essays in MONU magazine, the AIA Journal Manifest, Log, bracket, and the guest-edited issue of MAS Context on the topic of character architecture.
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FOLLOW me on instagram: @stewart_hicks & @designwithco
Design With Company: designwith.co
University of Illinois at Chicago School of Architecture: arch.uic.edu/
#architecture #urbandesign

[@stewarthicks]

Go to cuts.team/STEWARTHICKS for 15% off your order, AND ENTER PROMO CODE: STEWARTHICKS

[@hia5235]

its ok to say that chicago is literally degrading and dying in front of our eyes.

[@AmosAmerica]

Great video! And, you wear that shirt well! Will check it out.

[@jkohutiak]

didn't mention how the mayor violated many laws for a personal agenda ? how the dictators rule Chicago.

[@atlantic_love]

​@@hia5235 these super positivity nonsense channels are afraid to actually voice an opinion. They need the likes and subscribes!

[@TheresaPowers]

this is bullshit.

[@bodegatiger404]

I'm from western Canada but Chicago has kind of been my home away from home for the past two years. I've been there twice already, both for several month stays, and I gotta say it's now my dream to live there. It's like a big city instilled with midwestern friendliness/values. beautiful architecture is on every block, and the urban planning is outstanding. I could literally go to the zoo, catch a baseball game, and then head to the beach all within walking distance. There's endless food selection, low cost of living, great sports culture, and a hard working, resilient, blue collar vibe. I've been to New York three times, and Chicago is WAY less crowded, congested, and much cleaner and friendlier. I also just appreciate how it's one of the only North American cities that actually cares about public transit, preserving and keeping green space for the public, and keeping its streets walkable/bikeable. And most importantly, taking full advantage of its gorgeous lakefront and keeping it unobstructed (I think it's the only city that successfully does that). Most people who have challenged me about Chicago's gun violence have never even been there, and they don't understand that it doesn't really affect your day to day life, as most of it is concentrated on the far south and west neighbourhoods. It is a problem that must be addressed, but it's nowhere near as bad as the media portrays it to be.

[@briancavanaugh1596]

Shhhhhh, don’t let everyone know 🤫

[@bodegatiger404]

@@briancavanaugh1596 whoops, sorry it's so hard to keep such a good, underrated secret!

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

While I agree with a good portion of your post. I differ greatly on your perception of the current reality of crime in Mayor Lightfoot's Chicago. I lived in Chicago for just about 30 years. And resided in numerous neighborhoods throughout the city, and the nature of crime which is occurring now is unprecendented. The number of shootings, and homicides done yearly, is consistently very high, and has been so for a long time. Even NYC, a city far larger and far more populous, does not match the number of killings seen in Chicago. The level of blatant, brazen criminal activity is all too apparent. Much of it happening in broad daylight, and in affluent areas, such as Michigan Ave. Car jackings. Robberies in high end stores. I used to work at Saks and Neiman Marcus on Mich. Avenue and never, during those years, did we experience the sort of strident lawlessness, which has become common today. While what makes Chicago an appealing city cannot be denied, it can't continue to treat the meteoric rise in crime as just another consequence of choosing to live in the city. Mayor Lightfoot has shown an utter lack of ability, competence, or any semblance and trace of Chicago's once famed, "I will," drive or spirit to meet this and other pressing challenges. Challenges that are in urgent need of attention, which, instead are committed to the back burner while the quality of life in Chicago continues to erode. If the mayor does not address the metastazising shadow of crime in Chicago, businesses will elect to leave, and people will soon follow. Great architecture, beautiful parks and lakefront. Cultural amenities, and good food, is simply not enough to staunch the bleeding of people, exiting Chicago. As long as crime is not dealt with decisively, and civic corruption flourishes. While homeowners pay stratospheric property and sales taxes, in exchange for mediocre city services, and no accountability from their elected reps in city government. Folks will pull up their stakes and leave.

[@lrvogt1257]

@@LUIS-ox1bv : The fact is that, likely due to covid, murder rates went up everywhere in the country. In 2020, per capita murder rates were 40% higher in states won by Donald Trump than those won by Joe Biden. Chicago is the 3rd largest city in the US but according to FBI Statistics 28th per capita in murder rate.

[@HeWhoIsWhoHeIs]

Lol it's your dream to live in the most violent city in America? Really? What do Canadians put in their water? Why would you want to live in the epitome of a corrupt democrat death city?

[@TahoeRealm]

Chicago native, now in Northern Nevada. Great video! These environments are a world away from my childhood experiences fifty years ago. Thank you for this excellent piece on these visionary transformations. 👍

[@Gebri3l]

I used to live in Vegas and now am in Chicago, though I enjoy the lake i miss sin city.

[@Shinychicken1000]

@@Gebri3l why in the hell would you move to Chicago? We all trynna get out lmao

[@TahoeRealm]

@@franand Get out here as soon as you can! 👍

[@cal1535]

@@Shinychicken1000I’m not lol

[@iankreidich8698]

You forgot the “illegally” bull dozing Meigs Field in the middle of the night without notifying the FAA part.

[@CarlosEmilioEsq]

I giggled when that wasn't mentioned, remembering what an unadulterated scandal it was at the time. The sheer audacity and crookedness of Chicago politicians on full display!

[@snarkylive]

Non-commercial General aviation pilots are criminals who spray lead vapor over poor communities, too bad they didn't bulldoze their whole wealthy hobby.

[@cheap_pilot]

“Back to nature”? The island that Meigs field was on was largely man made. Sad that a crooked politician illegally destroyed it.

[@daffodil2067]

Why would you carve "x"s into a runway other than to shut it down when you don't have the legal authority to do so?

[@sanjaygul8392]

@@CarlosEmilioEsqAudacious, certainly! But I do not think it was crooked. FAA was stalling on the idea owing to special interests. Bulldozing that airport granted the citizens of Chicago a great victory whilst earlier it was the dominion of a very select few who could own their planes and fly from there. Chicagoland has copious amounts of GA airfields and Megs field was not beneficial for over 99% of Chicago's population.

[@CarlosEmilioEsq]

The transformation of the entire downtown Grant Park area has been immense. Any Chicagoan can tell you how much it has changed in the past 20-30 years. Chicago gets bad press labeled a 'Democratic crime-infested city', and while it does have bad neighborhoods and dodgy cops and politicians, it has made major improvements in terms of re-imagining many public spaces, like the Lakefront and the parks. It's bike friendly, and gets greener all of the time, bringing truth to the city's motto, "urbs in horto" . . . City in a Garden.

[@matthewweflen]

Like most MAGA BS, the "Chicago" talking point is spread by people who've never been there in order to inflame outrage and distract from their own malfeasance. As someone in my 25th year of happy Chicago residence, I just tune it out at this point.

[@JuanAdam12]

It’s got a ton of potential, agreed. But the inane politics, political corruption, systemic waste of resources, tax policies, and crumbling infrastructure will keep it from reaching its potential. There are few adults running this city, and lots of children running roughshod over the neighborhoods.

[@LJFRY1974]

ok. But it is a crime infested criminally corrupt politician ran tax-crazy hellhole that makes the rest of IL pay for it. The state should literally just cede from it, it'll be better for it.

[@ruinedcraft4830]

Very informative. I want to live in water surrounded places: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5XSi4Crp7CEgKM

[@MAX-re4pc]

I agree with everything but the bike friendly part. Chicago is far from being bike friendly, outside of the recreational bike paths.

[@efrempannell]

Being born and raised in Chicago, I love seeing videos that represent other sides of my hometown. This reminds me of something I would see on WTTW! Great Video!

[@kholt1776]

I live in Chi and did not know about the Wild Mile until now. Very cool! Hope it gets expanded!

[@Stoic_Lizard]

I've never been to Chicago and never thought much of it, but this video really showed me how beautiful this city is. I'm sure it has its good and bad parts like any city, but I now want to visit. Pretty awesome looking place.

[@TomNovak2113]

Please do! Don't believe the negative hype in the news. They only cover the bad things that happen in a city of 2.8 million -- much more good happens every day, for sure, or else this city wouldn't still be here! There is crime, and there may be more of certain kinds in recent years, but the news makes it sound like you can expect to be accosted whenever walking around Wicker Park, Lakeview, or Bridgeport areas. It's not like that. I've always said :) I've always thought the only true, super dense metropolises with overwhelming amounts of supertall skyscrapers in America -- NYC and Chicago. It's a unique experience. Come on thru! (Preferably during summer lol)

[@ThomasPH123]

My brother and sister-in-law live in lake view by wrigley field. My brother was shot by gang bangers driving around terrorizing people with paint guns. I live on the northwest side, 2 days ago a woman was robbed at gun point down the street from my house. 2 weeks ago my neighbor was shot at when trying to stop thieves from stealing his catalytic converter. Don’t listen to people who say crime is not a problem in Chicago, it’s becoming a huge problem.

[@msf8750]

@@ThomasPH123 crime can be a problem for a lot of big cities. I know more than 100 people especially in my neighborhood in the lakeshore east loop area and fortunately no one has reported being a victim of crime. Sorry that you know people who found themselves in bad situations.

[@tomstarcevich1147]

Chicago sucks 😕

[@DebbyShoemaker]

The beauty he is showing is ancient Tartarian structures.

[@robinrussell7965]

Los Angeles is also rewilding the Los Angeles River. The city was founded due to the reliable river water. Once water became imported, the river was neglected, and then erased into a flood control channel. PS I love the native prairie along the lakefront trail. It is so beautiful, and smells so good.

[@AEMoreira81]

Yonkers, NY also did likewise to the lower part of the Saw Mill River, demolishing buildings and a parking lot to daylight the river underneath.

[@MadLadCustoms]

Man this has become my favorite Chicago channel, living here makes it easy to look past the works behind commonly seen spaces. Thanks for the content 🤜🤛

[@lrvogt1257]

We've chosen to live in downtown Chicago (Streeterville) because it's a great and beautiful place. We love the modern architecture and we take advantage of the amenities like the incredible museums and the phenomenal and huge shoreline parks. The other night we had dinner on the river and walked home on the River Walk at sunset. It could not have been more pleasant.

[@kingcormack8004]

Well the wealthy can live where they want, can't they? "We've chosen to live in Streeterville..."

[@Introvertsan]

@@kingcormack8004 Exactly it's different for people who can't afford to do such and have to stay in bad spots/situations

[@Piexus_]

Didn't know Chicago was so beautiful. And the idea of the Wild Mile is incredible.

[@hank3368]

Stewart Hicks + Chicago = a lovely morning

[@ej_buendia]

I’m really impressed by how the design topics always go back or has an example to your city. Really informative and grounded concept. Thank you, Sir Stewart!!

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Mayor Daley: We're shutting down Meigs Field in favor of a park Illinois state legislature: Oh yeah? You and what army? Mayor's city crews bulldozing large X's on the runway: *THIS* army Illinois state legislature: ...understandable, have a great day Turns out Chicago was fined $33,000 by the FAA for closing an airport with a charted instrument approach without giving the required 30-day notice (on top of repaying one million dollars in FAA Airport Improvement funds they used to demolish it). Friends of Meigs Field tried to get courts to force them to reopen it but because the city owned the land and paid back its federal aviation grants, they were allowed to close it.

[@Lilactime402]

That's the City of Big Shoulders, alright!! BTW, Is there a statue of the mayor anywhere?

[@eric_has_no_idea]

Daley had been trying to close this for years. The friends of Meigs field group had been just dragging out the inevitable. lots of little lawsuits, often with repeated delays. He used the 'terrorism' angle as an opportunity as the FAA kept renewing the no fly zones over Disney. That $33k was worth it. I had flown out of Meigs a few times. I've been there a bunch since they converted it. it is a much better use of public lakefront.

[@amentco8445]

@@eric_has_no_idea And where is the closest airport now? How much traffic do you have to get through to get to the city?

[@eric_has_no_idea]

@@amentco8445 midway / O'Hare are reasonably close. I have flown in, and gone to the office in the loop on CTA in

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

@@eric_has_no_idea > *Flying into Meigs might have saved super expensive execs like 30 min.* And student pilots, and pilots who are not executives, with PPLs.

[@usa1mac]

Another great video. Nice to see Chicago highlighted in positive urban/park planning area.

[@michiganaviator3785]

As a pilot, the loss of Meigs field was very sad. It was an incredible airport to fly into for a quick lunch in the city.

[@DeusUltraviolaceus]

Hi Stewart. This video really surprised me - I wouldn't have thought that such a big city like Chicago would have this kind of attention to natural scenery. As a European that's never been to the United States, it would even interest me to make Chicago my first place to go to in the U.S. Would you say the city is accessible for walking in general, and does it feel connected on a human scale?

[@victorsladkowski]

I used to work in a really tourist heavy area in Chicago and often was told by visitors from abroad that Chicago surprised them as their favorite US city. The best comparison I heard is that New York City has a chaotic feel which can be exciting to explore. But Chicago's layout feels purposeful and almost like it's built to showcase what architecture can do. We can definitely thank the Great Chicago Fire for allowing that sort of reset. Definitely check out Chicago in the summertime! The lakefront and river will not disappoint.

[@JuankiHilsaca]

Lived there for five years. It is very walkable. And the good thing is you have the subway or the L to move around pretty much anywhere in the city. Enjoy!

[@kilroy1976]

If you like walking, Chicago is fantastic. It's a big city, so you can't just walk it from one end to the other all the time, but the public transportation is just good enough to get within walking distance of where you want to go. Chicago is an extremely friendly city for its size. People will help you if you ask. Any foreign tourist I've ever taken there has had an awesome time. Funny thing, you'll probably come back 10 pounds fatter than when you left, because the food is outstanding, but the walking you did will burn it all off a week later.

[@Pieman62295]

I'd say it's pretty walk able and feels very scaled to humans with some exceptions. I don't think it's more pedestrian friendly than some European cities of a similar size, (ie Paris, Barcelona, Vienna, etc) but it fares very well by American/Canadian standards! The plus side is that if you are walking in Chicago, it's very easy to navigate. Nearly every street runs perfectly North/South or East/West. Most streets have large sidewalks, which is nice. And we have wonderful parks! If you ever do visit, feel free to DM me, I live in Chicago and love it so much.

[@stephenandersen4625]

A lot of US cities are paying attention to their natural resources now. NYC has won awards for its watershed restoration programs, Atlanta is building what they call the emerald ring, a string of parks and reservoirs around the city. It’s a nice feature for the cities and helps control flooding. US cities are far less dense than European cities and suburban sprawl is something we need to deal with.

[@rayvanwayenburg998]

As an architect, I find I need to adjust to the wildness of the planting. As a New Zealander who spends a lot of time in Osaka, I appreciate how calming and centering the presence of plants are in the urban environment. Chicago seems to have created a good balance. Great video!!

[@frtdog]

Daily ordered the destruction of the airport despite the fact that the feds said no. It was done in the dark of night. I landed a corporate jet there in the early 80"s and it was a nice airport that was used to keep away from the traffic of O'Hare.

[@charpnatl]

Stewart, this was so informative and pleasant to watch! You really are a great ambassador for the city.

[@redmoondesignbeth9119]

Thank You for this. I grew up in N. Indiana in the 50s and we'd go into the city for the museums all the time. BTW...If you haven't sat at the Indiana Dunes at sunset in Spring/Fall that should be on your bucket list. The sun sets behind the city giving a surreal view of the horizon.

[@ntatenarin]

6:37 I would love that green roof to expand and cover the other Metra train lines in Grant Park so there will be more park space for people to enjoy.

[@audikool]

I moved to Chicago in 2020 and shortly after found your channel. I’m loving everything I’m learning about the city through your channel. Would love to see your take on Lincoln yards. Ever since I learned about it I’ve been interested about it’s origins and future as well as the controversy surrounding it. Great vid!

[@micah_lee]

I love how much these projects (and this video) emphasis planting native plants!! This is a must for the future imho.

[@tiagoprado7001]

Alternative title: Chicago realises British garden styles are better than the French's.

[@ericfischer8295]

As a historical curmudgeon, as well as a proponent of the "City Beautiful" movement, I wish we could see a merging of these two styles. "city beautiful" wasn't JUST about "conquering nature" bu, as described, was part of laying out large organized vistas and opening a city up for pedestrians as well and other forms of transit. It Is a philosophy that many modern cities that are choked on cars could learn from. A modern re-wkring of the movement would be amazing if you could merge the lessons of nature with that of an open and pedestrian friendly city plan

[@Vincentvangoooo]

As a photographer, I can really appreciate the architecture and city planning that went into Chicago. Very very few cities cares what it looks like, like Chicago does

[@stevenaguirre9326]

I live near the old South Works steel mill site in Chicago. Every Spring I look forward to seeing nature continue to take back the landscape a little more. The giant ore wall gives an other worldly aesthetic to the area also.

[@artemaeus]

Yooo I loved that! I was walking around my town and noticed places where they opted to use prairie plants instead of mowed grass and was super pleased. Glad to see Chicago is putting in good effort!

[@jeremyowen1]

Going to school for environmental technology because I wanna work in conservation or help with naturalization. Seeing projects like this get me excited.

[@ZachComa]

As a teen, my grandparents knew a guy and I ended up doing my Young Eagles flight flying shotgun with the Lima Lima flight team over the city from Meigs. This was not too long before it was dozed in the middle of the night. They were practicing before the Air and Water Show and I'm very grateful for the opportunity, I'll always remember it.

[@jongoldman9279]

Fascinated by the Wild Mile and its ability to filter the water naturally. I have read limited literature on gray and black water filtration lagoons/wetlands for a residential setting, but that was a while back, and is most likely outdated. I'd love to see a segment devoted to current developments on the topic. River Walk is something I look forward to experiencing in the future. Wonderful to see kayakers surrounded by high-rises.

[@cathyt502]

As a long time Chicagoan, I finally went on the 90 min. Architectural River cruise w/ one of my sons and it was wonderful. The other Wendella tour is fun too, esp. going through the locks out onto the lake. Definitely visit in the summer. Plenty of food, live concert venues and friendly people. Check out the Cultural Center on Michigan Ave. or Lincoln Park Zoo, both still free :) btw, today is 151 years since the Great Chicago Fire.

[@skiscHans]

Why though are the fish in bunkers and not just out ik the river where they ought to be.

[@tackywhale5664]

I can only imagine how that literature is “outdated”. 🙄

[@michaelguerin56]

Thank you. I had seen the requisite photos of the giant shiny metal ‘river stone’ taken by my mother and one of my brothers when they visited Chicago BUT I did not know the overall story. Impressive combination of ‘rewilding’ and urban public space development. The on-site stormwater absorption capacity is impressive. I anticipated a massive sump pump and stormwater storage system.

[@aes53]

Excellent video Stewart. The relationship between Chicago, the river and the lake is fascinating and aspects were covered last year in a NY Times story which focused on climate change and rising water levels.

[@stewarthicks]

Yes, it was fantastic!

[@caspenbee]

These designs give me so much hope. A lot of visionaries live in Chicago.

[@ScoscobabyOGO]

I wish I found your channel when I was temporarily living in Chicago last year. I did go to a few of these places but now I was told go back.

[@oldsalt7147]

You forgot to mention that the mayor illegally, and without democratic process bulldozed large X’s in the runway. He also didn’t issue a “NOTAM” (Notice to Airmen) to the FAA which endangered the life of pilots and passengers.

[@Maj7]

Stewart, you're videos are AWESOME. Chicago is a great city and an interesting one, thanks for sharing it with the world. Keep up the great work!

[@CptFoolKillah]

The bullet casings on South side are often recycled as tiny flower pots.

[@j.mieses8139]

This a great example of innovative integration of Natural Environments within an Urban Setting.

[@supejc]

Nice video, but you mis-characterized the illegal bulldozing of Meigs field as “getting back to nature” with your thumbnail. A bit misleading.

[@edwardhammer5427]

The work they've done in Chicago is amazing, and it's only just begun!

[@Boofatcha]

Agreed! Within a year, the new mayor will have Chicago looking like Gotham City except without Batman.

[@notcrazy6288]

@@Boofatcha The old mayor was so bad I didn't think it could get worse. I was wrong.

[@jppagetoo]

I have been coming to Chicago since the late 1960's. I used to hate the city. It was all concrete and asphalt. The alleys were all filled with stairways painted battleship gray. In the last 20 years has that changed. They have integrated the water and the city in a way that makes Chicago livable. I see this in New York and Los Angeles as well. In fact, I see it in Detroit, Indianapolis, and Cleveland too. Big industrial cities being reborn with nature as part of the design. There is still a long way to go, but it does give me hope.

[@FortuneZer0]

2:11 Illegaly I might add.

[@regularperson9965]

Wow I didn't know how beautiful Chicago is.

[@rossmeldrum3346]

This video is bringing back the dreams I had 50 years ago to be a landscape architect. I have always loved architecture and gardening, so it seemed a perfect fit, but sadly I never got the chance to do it. But this is a great fit.

[@mehmetkemalulkenciler9222]

This is one of the most informative and thought-provoking videos about urban planning and living in a city in general.

[@sinisterdesign]

Great video! I didn't know about the Wild Mile--I'll have to check that out sometime!

[@lausimeyer6558]

As a fan of MS Flight Simulator, I like Meigs Field Airport. I always thought, it consisted of black dots on a white background ;-)

[@bakkerem1967]

Who remembers the airfield in question as the starting point in early versions of MS Flight Simulator ? Times are a changin' ..

[@robertcrafton7187]

The wee bunny at 06:00 reminded me of being on the nature walk at South Pond last month. Saw a sign advising that coyotes were active in the area and then saw the tiniest chipmunk in the native plantings. Man, I never even knew we had chipmunks in Chicago.

[@skylarking12]

Interesting video with a lot to like. I'm always going to be partial to keeping Meigs Field though. Speaking of man-made islands and changing the shape of the city, Stewart, please consider doing a piece on Captain George Streeter, the guy the Streeterville neighborhood is named for. He was a smuggler and gun runner who crashed his ship on a lake Michigan sand bar and from it, built his own offshore island, right in front of Chicago, out of garbage and landfill, populated it with "undesirables", and created a one-man vice district and housing project, in front of the Chicago city fathers like Marshall Field, who initially couldn't beat him in the courts and had to invade and evict with armed men. What was once that shanty-covered sand bar is now the front of the Magnificent Mile, home to shopping, Northwestern and Loyola Universites, Water tower Place and the john Hancock building.

[@en0n126]

Good news! Microsoft Flight Simulator is bringing back Meigs Field for their 40th anniversary update, which should be coming out this month. So you can take off downtown and buzz your Cessna over The Bean!

[@amentco8445]

Reading into the story of exactly how meigs field got destroyed is angering. Politicians went behind the backs of pilots and destroyed the place over night, not even hyperbole.

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

@@amentco8445 Seriously, I rarely wish someone get struck in the balls with a cactus, but with this story, Daley is one exception.

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

The US nearly took us and our capital back to "nature" when they did so many bombings around our country. We had to rebuild everything from scratch. With help from the Soviets, my grandpa built a new shining showcase capital rising like a phoenix out of the ruins that the people can be proud of. My father worked side by side with him, and passed the baton so I could continue my grandpa's legacy with new apartments, stores, trains, and more. We're only sanctioned because other countries are jealous of our achievements.

[@sf9898u]

Don't forget the awesome flag pole that your father personally put up in Panmunjom.

[@betweenthepoles]

I am a Chicago native. I have been to L.A. and New York and find that the more friendly, easygoing Midwestern atmosphere sets Chicago apart. I am not a fan of our winter, but it does make me appreciate our beautiful spring, summer and autumn even more. Gun violence is definitely concerning and nothing to be proud of but sadly a lot of it seems to be confined to certain areas of the city. I hope Chicagoans can work together to make every one of our neighborhoods safer in the future. All of this urban planning and revitalization is a good place to start.

[@post7027]

yeah not when your mayor defends kids lynching people on the street and attacking tourists like fuk outta here Chicago has been falling ever since the 1990s like how does your city have 12 times more crime than Toronto when Toronto has a higher population and is consider dangerous

[@mafp22w]

Midwesterners are friendly because they spend all winter in pubs and bars.

[@dearmas9068]

​@@mafp22w another weird comment from you...

[@JohnnieWalkerGreen]

I learned landings and takeoffs on Meigs field!

[@sleepyvtek9]

Chicago is a nice city, visted a couple times. would eventually go back again.

[@OriginalClam]

Very informative and beautiful as always thank you

[@stephenmoerlein8470]

Thanks for posting this video. I went to school in Chicago years ago; the lakefront has always been a uniquely beautiful aspect of the city and it is interesting to watch its evolution over time. It might be an interesting future video to discuss the transition of Miegs Field to Northerly Island. It would be an interesting historical view of the interplay of politics and commerce as related to the city infrastructure.

[@ImusNoxa]

This was a fascinating video! Learning about what Chicago has been doing for the benefit of their natural ecology is simultaenously encouraging and inspiring for what we can do in our own cities

[@WongKaiKo]

The brutal murder of Meigs Field was an awful crime and a huge loss for aviation fans and Microsoft Flight Simulator enthusiasts. You don't know what you've lost until after it happens.

[@McSquirts]

You could say that about America on 9/10/2001 then 9/12/2001

[@dearmas9068]

Your "fandom" does not superceded the cities needs and the value of a more natural space.

[@mdhazeldine]

Great video. However, as an aviation geek who's British, I have to correct you on one thing: Meig's field was not the busiest single runway airport in the world. That was and still is London Gatwick. I believe it was the busiest in the US only, and now that goes to San Diego since it was closed.

[@stewarthicks]

oh man, thanks for the correction. not sure where I read that incorrect factoid-- it was certainly not something I made up on my own.

[@stewarthicks]

Turns out it was the busiest in the US and I didn’t cite it correctly. Apologies for the mistake.

[@mdhazeldine]

@@stewarthicks I'm impressed that you looked it up in response to my comment! Thanks for taking the time to respond.

[@DistractedDaisy]

I know people talk about New York as an awesome City but Chicago seems so much more awesome the more I learn about it.

[@dearmas9068]

As someone who has lived in both, I can tell you that Chicago is vastly superior.

[@flameraven42]

My family lives in Chicago but I usually only visit at Christmas, so it's been a long time since I enjoyed the green spaces. Will have to take a trip up sometime to check them out.

[@jamessotiroff600]

Chicago is my favorite city and from the last thirty years it has been cleaned a lot. Hope the current mayor doesn't mess it up too much more. Also, are these pieces commissioned. I am enjoying them but would like to know why the recent focus.

[@ab0ve521]

this video is so great, I am a big fan of Green Architecture

[@JoshuaTClark81]

Mr Hicks, I hope you are not some apologist for Mayor Daley's criminal act in the destruction of Meigs Field. It was one of the most finest examples of civilian aviation in the world and served as a vital reliever airport to O'Hare and Midway. His actions were not in accordance to any desire to return it to a more natural state but out of a loathing of people who were fortunate enough to have their own and operate privately owned aircraft. Those destructive actions were perpetrated in the middle of the night and without an intact runway to use, pilots had to dangerously use the narrow taxi ways to relocated their aircraft that were hangered there.

[@terrygelinas4593]

I like some of the parallels between "building" Chicago and the waterfront projects in Toronto, such as Villiers Island and the newer water treatment plants.

[@Debaucherousgeek]

Never been there but I am VERY interested in Chicago! Love seeing this!

[@dearmas9068]

Its a fantastic city

[@rickieg9870]

Daley needs to be in PRISON for what he did to Miegs Field. If anybody else on the planet too a bulldozer to an active runway on an open airfield they’d be labeled a terrorist.

[@trongriffinproductions7159]

Daley should be in prison for selling so many ways for the city to make money like with the parking meters to companies for 100 years despite knowing they would make what they paid the city back and more in less than 15 years. Daley has cost the city billions in some of the worst business deals in the history of the country.

[@mafp22w]

Too many people lack integrity today and you can see it in the responses to this video. The key issue is not about airports vs parks and many fail to see that. Too many are quite alright today of the ends justifying any way of getting there. That’s fine if you are getting what you want. But it is very unAmerican as it is the very reason that we have a republic and not a democracy. A democracy can vote that everything you have be taken away from you and you are just a loser. Does anyone remember the pledge of allegiance “…and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands…”. Frequently we know hear the media and leftists politicians telling us that “our democracy is at stake” which, at best, is ignorance, and at worst intentionally deceptive.

[@jrbhartford]

It's worth mentioning that not all of Northerly Island is reverting to natural contours; a big piece of it is a seasonal concert venue with a 30,000-person capacity (I saw New Order and Pet Shop Boys there a few weeks ago). To the credit of the operator, LiveNation, and probably as a condition of their deal with the city, the venue is very dedicated to sustainability. There's very little permanent or year-round infrastructure on the site, and they do a great job minimizing landfill waste. (I work for the company that handles their compostable food and paper waste.) Thanks for the video; I enjoy Chicago's natural and built landscape every day!

[@tortiesrule7432]

As a Michigander who went to Chicago all the time, I really appreciate learning so much about this city through the lens of constructions. It's so fascinating to see the origins of the Second City to the one I knew to the one I have yet to see (bc I left the Midwest).Thank you!

[@tallguynow]

I walked by the field museum a year ago and just thought they cut the maintenance budget due to Covid. I didn’t realize it was intentional.

[@woolfel]

it's good to see people realize "taming nature" is a fools task driven by ego and stupidity. We should co-exist and try to live in harmony with nature.

[@xpeterson]

Hope they take down traffic lights too. If your gonna bulldoze an airfield, an already endangered system, you should apply the same reasoning to all government run infrastructure for transportation…

[@hermyt]

Northerly Island is my favorite nature area in Chicago. Sadly the City of Chicago did not complete the framework plan and the eastern trail is crumbling due to erosion and rising water level.

[@elluisito000]

This reminds me of that night 6 years ago when I saw a coyote walking down the street in Downtown Evanston 😀

[@stephencurry8552]

As a former architechture student, your videos allow me to stay in touch with design. Awesome work. Also, letting us know about the shirt worked for me. Pilling and fading are both issues which degrade the look of your clothing. Had it not been for watching this video, I would not have ever known about the shirts. So, thanks for that as well.

[@jamesphillips3521]

STEWART HICKS = You are the best! Love ALL of your videos!!

[@mawortz]

this shows that nature always wins at the end, we can only "tame" it for a glimpse of time

[@cpcattin]

The loss of Meigs Field was an illegal theft that can never be replaced. The natural surroundings could have be added.

[@mafp22w]

Anyone in favor of what was done should move to a totalitarian country. And they should never fly on another airplane: they are only for oppressors.

[@Feelthefx]

I honestly can't think of a worse place to live in the U.S. besides Chicago. Detroit's up there but at least it's less crowded and more affordable.

[@azulaquaza4916]

You calling Chicago crowded is hilarious. I’m from Texas and have been to Chicago many times it’s a better, cleaner version of NYC

[@dearmas9068]

What a clueless and thoughtless comment. You obviously have no idea what you're talking about, son.

[@DemarcusQ]

Thats perfect, we should of always left a space for animals. If you wanna decorate it like a open zoo go ahead. For instance we need a space for Beavers everywhere! 🦫 Beavers are a huge benefit to our ecosystem that can stop the spread of wildfires and lower heat temperatures! I used to also think they were destructive till I realized what their power can prevent and fix.

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank you for sharing your love of Chicago here. Many people who live still remembers the whole week of the destroying element of Meigs Field Airport. And the FAA fined the city for the way the former mayor ended the operations of a great airport in that downtown setting. But we had a great image with that airport being there!!! Many of the state legislators flew up from Springfield every day there. And many business corporate jets and private general aviation owners had their aircraft parked and serviced there as well. That unique ability to have an airport in a downtown setting gave Chicago one of the best beautiful vibrant city images of any US city. Chicago will remain a beautiful and gorgeous city but we lost an added power image for our city. I think the only other city that can gives you that added power image would be London, UK with their City Airport!

[@cobrakai3732]

Meh. I'll take Daniel Burnham's side and say that the land was always supposed to be for the public, not for rich private plane owners or stupid politicians to take off and land on. I'm glad it's finally gone, and I appreciate Daley for asking forgiveness and not permission for the greater good.

[@brandonwilson9097]

I love living in this city

[@alfonsogarciaconde9831]

amazing!

[@andrewanguiano2855]

I'm a Geotechnical driller and the few parking lots and parks all over downtown Chicago are getting drilled... as fasr as I know they are constructing buildings or something new

[@mostmost1]

The field museum is my favorite. My feet were sore from walking it last year. I went to a ball in it back in the 90s.

[@xsloshua9188]

Good video! I need to visit Chicago more often. I'm out in the burbs..

[@hank3368]

Metra is life!

[@silas2622]

me too ugh i love it out there

[@marcchapman6812]

The greening of Grant Park seems incomplete as long as Columbus Drive and Lakeshore Drive cut through it. What a stain on such a beautiful area.

[@purplej12]

Yup. Chicago should cover them and put another green roof over it. Downtown should be pedestrian focused with allowing emergency vehicles, busses, and bikes only on the roads.

[@wbbartlett]

This is a timely reminder that, sometimes, just occasionally, the good guys do win.

[@TreiPani]

The back story of Daley destroying Miggs airfield is a good one, and summarizes Chicago politics. I much prefer Northerly island and its views. Another great video!

[@nperkinsuoguelph]

Some may fault Daly Jr. for a few things but he, and especially his wife Maggie, made Chicago 'clean and green'. Both valued what landscape architects can do. I think Daly Jr. is an honorary member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (a real honor).

[@CLSiler2]

I know that the focus of this video is on the positive integration of nature and urban design, but it's really hard for me to look at riverwalk without thinking about how Chicago worked hard to evict and push out the homeless from the traditional areas of encampment in and around the sub-streets of Lower Wacker Drive to create riverwalk. No attempt was made to solve or at least alleviate the problem of homelessness, just a push to get them somewhere else so the city could beautify its core.

[@B0BBYSW0RLD]

Do YOU have any solutions?

[@CLSiler2]

@@B0BBYSW0RLD I don't, but having the police put together a drag net to grab up an already marginalized group of people to push them even further to the edges of society doesn't seem like a solution. If only *I* had access to a city's coffers and resources to try and develop a solution like Chicago did before deciding that pushing the homeless out was the only solution rather than trying to develop support programs and infrastructure to help people in financial crisis. I don't know how to solve world hunger, but that doesn't make me incapable of recognizing that people going hungry and starving due to scarcity of resources is bad. My comment ins not a criticism of Hicks or the Riverwalk as an improvement to Chicago. It IS a criticism of the way Chicago handled and displaced the population that resided and utilized those parts of the city before it was redeveloped.

[@mafp22w]

Wait a minute, are you saying that the homeless weren’t relocated to the new park?

[@ZoraDelaney]

Well done, Stewart! And I learned about a "new" attraction here in Chicago that I had never heard of before!

[@Randomdive]

Northerly Island still needs *a lot* of love/funding. Beyond the erosion, so much of it being dedicated to parking and Livenation concert grounds really detract from its natural potential

[@jumilifyify]

The busiest single runway airport was traded for a forgotten tiny little artificial park. This is not something to celebrate

[@dearmas9068]

Nah, its better now.

[@marcelreiter181]

So can someone explain why tf you'd ever build a massive highway throu a park at 6:50? Also kudos for the bunny 🐇

[@B0BBYSW0RLD]

Did you watch the video? Because he explains that the park was built on land that was originally a railyard. Those streets were there before the park was

[@Justinb1TV]

As a Chicagoan born and raised this was pretty interesting didn’t even know this was goin on thank u 💙🙏🏾

[@dianethulin1700]

Beautifully done! 👏🏻. I was thinking about what a good job they have done at Chrissy Field and The Presidio in San Francisco. The native plants reminds me of there. I hope this trend of back to nature takes hold everywhere. Our planet needs it and the next generations deserve it

[@jeffbergstrom]

Losing Meig's Field was a tragedy. Mayor Daley just outright smashed it (literally in the middle of the night) because he wanted to. What replaced it is nice but really not better. Meig's was unique among cities...one more park didn't matter to the city.

[@Joesolo13]

Honestly the pure audacity gets some respect. The benefits to a small group of pilots who can fly out of other airstrips, vs the benefits of a park and natural space for all, it's pretty obvious where the greater benefits lay. Especially since light aviation still uses leaded fuels, there's enough air pollution in Chicago already, and reduction is good.

[@Tokishi7]

@@Joesolo13 me seeing a massive line of yachts and thinking "benefits all"

[@Steel3]

@@Joesolo13 at least the FAA is finally getting around to fixing the leaded fuel issue. Trust me, the majority of piston engine pilots can’t wait for unleaded fuel to become widely available.