How did the Plan of Chicago address traffic congestion and open space?

The 1909 Plan of Chicago, authored by Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett, addressed the challenges of a rapidly growing industrial city through a rational, transportation-based framework.12

Addressing Traffic Congestion

To combat the city's severe traffic issues, the plan proposed a network of broad diagonal streets, drawing inspiration from the urban design of Paris. It advocated for major thoroughfares that would bridge railway tracks and suggested the construction of monumental bridge structures and double-deck streets, such as the downtown Wacker Drive, to improve circulation and efficiency.12

Providing Open Space

A central pillar of the plan was the enhancement of the physical environment through the creation of a comprehensive park system. One of the most significant and enduring accomplishments of the plan was the reservation of the Lake Michigan lakefront as public space. By prioritizing the preservation of the lakefront for park purposes, the plan sought to provide accessible recreational areas for the city's inhabitants, ensuring that the urban environment remained humane and beautiful despite its industrial scale.12