Re-humanizing the Commercial Core: A Masterplan for Chicago's Central Loop

This thesis intends to study the nature and problems of the American city's commercial core and – by an extension and adaptation of the principles of traditional urbanism – produce a new masterplan for the central business area and lakefront of Chicago. Special attention will be given to the relationship of open public space within the urban fabric, as well as the correlative relationship of monumental buildings within open space. Ultimately, this plan will show how, through a process of defining and developing public spaces, establishing a hierarchical network of buildings and streets, and better addressing the notion of human scale, one can begin to re-humanize the American commercial core.