The Community

City planning, urban design, and other practices involving the ‘government-led’ development of visions for the future are frequently top-down efforts that prioritize the preferences of those in control, while overlooking the desires and needs of residents. From the outset of this project, the coalition of planners, designers, students and volunteers aimed to amplify the voices of those who live, work, and play in the community. With these voices leading the way, we produced this area plan for the McKinley Park community, to ensure that the wants and needs of both current and future residents are balanced in a way that promotes the economic, social, and cultural wellbeing of the neighborhood.

“My favorite part about McKinley Park is the community, the connections that we can make here, the community that we build, and the fact that everybody, whether or not you live here, you feel like you have a stake here.”

The McKinley Park neighborhood has a long and complex history steeped in community, culture, and the pursuit of opportunity. After being settled by Irish immigrants in 1836, the area grew to the point where Chicago annexed the neighborhood into its municipal boundaries by 1863. This spurred additional development in the neighborhood, including the iconic Central Manufacturing District (CMD) founded 1871. This recognizable site includes the district clock tower, the tallest building in the neighborhood. This development also triggered a movement for natural green areas that eventually led to the creation of McKinley Park recreational space in 1905.The park is an iconic public space for residents, neighbors, and naturelovers.

The socioeconomic makeup of McKinley Park has changed over time even as the built environment has remained fairly consistent. Waves of immigrants have succeeded the original Irish settlers. As of 2022, Hispanic/Latino/a/x residents of any race make up more than half of the neighborhood’s population, and Asian residents comprise nearly one third. This diverse mix of people creates a vibrant tapestry of language, food, and culture that contributes to the overall feel of the community. Recognizing the neighborhood’s past and present is essential to realizing its future.