Central Area Plan Update
Central Area Plan Update
A 20-year vision for equitable downtown growth
The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) initiated the Central Area Plan Update, a planning process to envision how the city's central area can better serve Chicago residents, workers and visitors.
The two-phase effort is starting with a series of conversations with a diverse set of key constituents. Public insight and feedback on topics such as housing, transportation, economic development and arts and culture will help create an updated vision for how downtown growth can serve all Chicagoans over the next 20 years.
Please join ongoing discussions and share ideas for updating the City's 2003 "Central Area Plan." Stakeholders are encouraged to reference the City's 2009 "Central Area Action Plan" and 2021 "Central City Recovery Roadmap" for information about the City's formal planning goals and accomplishments within the area. To stay updated on the process, sign up to receive email notifications.
Implementation Survey
As part of the second phase of the update, DPD issued an online survey in fall 2024 seeking public input on strategies and actions that will enable the city’s Central Area to better serve residents, workers, visitors and businesses.
Vision Statements
DPD drafted vision statements and priorities to guide the second phase of the Central Area Plan Update, in which DPD will use the finalized statements to develop formal implementation strategies and recommendations. Review the statements and priorities.
Existing Conditions and Trends Report
The first phase of the Central Area Plan Update included a review of the area's existing conditions. The resulting report was created in line with a robust community engagement process. Read the report.
Open House | December 2023
Nearly 150 Chicagoans gathered at the Cultural Center to engage in a series of activities designed to help refine the City's priorities for downtown arts & entertainment, economic development, transportation & infrastructure, housing and related subjects. These priorities will be formalized in the plan's goals and objectives.
Open House | May 2023
DPD hosted an Open House to discuss the Central Area Plan Update at the Harold Washington Library Winter Garden. Nearly 130 people attended to provide feedback, which will be shared as part of an engagement summary.
Watch the Kickoff Webinar
Watch a recording of theCentral Area Plan Update Kickoff webinar recorded on April 27, 2023.
The Goal
The goal of the Central Area Plan Update is to create an implementable vision that is informed by the past, rooted in equity and shaped by Chicagoans on behalf of the entire city.
The Context
The Process
The initial phase of the two-year planning process involves engagement with community members and local leaders to establish goals and objectives for the area. The first phase was completed in 2023. The second phase will define the steps to achieve that vision.
Map of Study Area: The Downtown "D" Zoning District
