Case studies

Chicago harbour system master plan – balancing community, ecology and economics

ABSTRACT

The Chicago Park District owns the largest municipal harbour system in North America, consisting of nine harbours with over 5100 boat slips and moorings. These harbours are vital to the character of Chicago’s famous shoreline. They capture millions of dollars in annual revenue for the benefit of tax payers and their neighbourhood parks. The harbour system is now operating at capacity, with waiting lists in the hundreds and demand rising. In response to this condition, the Chicago Park District with assistance from planning consultant JJR LLC, has completed a 20-year harbor system master plan.

The community based planning process involved an array of stakeholders, including boating groups, neighbourhood councils, civic organisations, environmental groups, elected officials, and regulatory agencies. Design issues included park preservation, public access, ecology and water quality, traffic, economic impacts, and of course, strengthening Chicago’s reputation as a world-class waterfront destination. Focusing on collective benefits such as expanded green space and public amenities, creation of aquatic habitat, use of sustainable building practices, increasing activity and safety and economic impacts on developing areas was essential to building consensus. Also important to a successful process was a holistic planning approach that considered multiple sites, economic viability, and phased implementation.

BIOGRAPHY

Robert Rejman, Director of Lakefront Construction, Chicago Park District

Robert Rejman manages planning and construction initiatives for 24 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline owned by the Chicago Park District. Recent projects include the multi-year Chicago Shoreline Protection Project for reconstruction of eight miles of threatened shoreline, long-range planning for the Chicago Harbour System, advance studies for lakefront park expansion, and phase-one reclamation of Northerly Island , an 80-acre park in Chicago 's downtown museum campus. He also represents the Park District for participation in federal and state coastline programmes, including development of the Illinois Coastal Zone Management Program and the Lake Michigan Watershed Ecosystems Partnership.

Robert previously worked in private sector property development and asset management, preceded by five years of design and construction oversight for international commercial projects. He earned a Master of Architecture degree from University of Illinois at Chicago in 1995.

Recent presentations include:

American Planning Association 2006 National Conference: Planning at the Water's Edge
Chicago Architecture Foundation: The Future of Chicago 's Lakefront and Its Harbors
Highland Park Lakefront Summit : Lakefront Facilities for Boating and Beaches
Sustainable Waterfronts – Learning from the Dutch Experience: Morgan Shoal and the Chicago Shoreline Protection Project
America In Bloom National Greening Conference: Chicago's Lakefront Parks

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