Why was protecting Chicago’s Lake Michigan lakefront a major goal of the Plan of Chicago?

In the 1909 Plan of Chicago, Daniel Burnham and his associate Edward Bennett identified the preservation of the Lake Michigan lakefront for public use as a primary objective.12

This goal was rooted in the broader vision of the plan to transform Chicago from a congested, industrial city into an efficient and beautiful urban environment. By reserving the lakefront as public space, Burnham sought to provide essential open areas for the city's inhabitants, countering the dense, soot-filled conditions caused by rapid industrial and population growth. This initiative was intended to enhance the physical environment and improve the quality of life for all citizens, serving as a key component of the plan's effort to create a more humane and orderly city.12