Chicagoland’s Search for Common Ground

Abstract

The Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) began work on a long term land use and growth management plan for the Chicago region in 2001. In this chapter, I describe the agency’s efforts over a 5-year period to design and implement a collaborative planning process (the Common Ground process) supported by the use of innovative digital technologies. The 2040 Regional Framework plan, formally adopted in 2005 is the culmination of these efforts. As a Chicago resident, I had a front row seat to observe and participate in the Common Ground between 2002 and 2004.