The Daniel Burnham Plan for Chicago

By Henry Wittenwyler and Max Silberg
Word count: 863


The Plan of Chicago was a document, published in 1909, that stated a plan for the improvement of the city of Chicago. This was at a time after the Great Chicago Fire, when the city wasn’t as organized. It was written by a team of people including Daniel Burnham, which is why the plan is commonly known as the “Burnham Plan”. The plan had many suggestions for what could be done, but only some were followed. However, the suggestions that were followed resulted in miles of streets being widened, many parks being built and expanded, and even 20 acres of extra land being created on the shoreline.

Thesis Statement: The Burnham Plan of Chicago broke physical and social barriers by adding and creating new spaces, widening new avenues for revenue and use, and reintroducing the city, not just to industry, but also to the people, which created the spirit of Chicago.