THE MIDWAY STUDY CHICAGO LAB 2014
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE THE DEPARTMENT OF CITY AND METROPOLITAN PLANNING
INTRO COLLABORATIVE IDEAS - BIG AND SMALL
The Midway Study was a collaboration with CannonDesign and the University of Utah to serve Chicago and the local community. There are a number of challenges the city faces around MDW in terms of vacant lots, deteriorating building stock, vacant retail, and crime. In addition, the Mayor’s Office is looking into various ways to enhance the identity and vibrancy of the area, as it is a major international gateway that lacks definition within its local context. The following studies and ideas were generated in a 5-week intensive workshop during the summer of 2014.
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MDW Study
Intro 1
Contents 2
Unity 23
Appendix 39
About Us 3
Future 19
Connection 11
Disruption 5
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CHICAGOLAB
Tex
ABOUT ChicagoLAB summer
is
an
program
intensive with
the
and
designed
Neighborhood in
a of
University of Utah’s College of
model
Architecture + Planning. It consists
CannonDesign.
net-positive the
collaboration
CHICAGO LAB 2014 STUDENT DIRECTORY
TEAM-7
Future
COLBY KALIAN
with
801.597.1478 colby.r.kalian@gmail.com
Colby Kalian
of an interdisciplinary team of undergraduate
and
HYUN-SOO “MIK” KIM
graduate
The 2014 project is focused on the
students in architecture and urban
physical conditions surrounding
planning. ChicagoLAB embraces
Midway Airport, which is located
ELIZABETH POULSEN
Chicago as a local laboratory and
on
801.350.1177 e.w.poulsen@utah.edu
tests ideas to enhance the quality
eight miles from the Loop. The
of life, and advance the city’s
goal of the project is to explore
future culture.
physical and nonphysical solutions
the
city’s
southwest
side,
to improve and integrate the The
program
collaboration
is of
practitioners, real
estate
an
active
surrounding
communities
with
students,
MDW and to create a sense of
politicians,
arrival to Chicago. Studies also
and
question the role of zoning, the
In
creation of affordable housing
2013, the ChicagoLAB developed
and employment opportunities to
Chinatown’s
attract and retain for residents to
community
Skidmore,
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developers organizations.
Masterplan Owings
CHICAGO LAB
&
with Merrill,
the area.
Archi
Urba
385.333.1167 hyunsoo.kim@utah.edu
Mik Kim
Archi
Elizabeth Poulsen AMANDA ROMAN
Urba
801.643.6575 amandalee.roman@gmail.com
Amanda Roman GREGORY STACY
Arch
612.723.3182 greg.d.stacy@gmail.com
Greg Stacy CONNOR STEPHENS
Arch
801.458.3908 conron15@gmail.com
Connor Stephens ALAN TAYLOR 208.661.9276 alantaylor@hotmail.com
Alan Taylor
Arch
LEADERSHIP
LECTURERS / REVIEWERS
SPONSORS
Andrew Balster
Tim Swanson Urban Strategist, CannonDesign
CannonDesign 225 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1100 Chicago IL 60601
xt Goes Here
Director, ChicagoLAB Luis Monterrubio Strategic Advisor, ChicagoLAB
Kelley Folts Architect, CannonDesign Carl D’Silva FAIA Principal, JAHN Architects
Diagram Descriptiopn.. Three blind mice. Three blind mice. Robert Bracken Senior Urban Designer, SOM See how they run. See how they Von Weise run. They all ran after the Chip farmer’s Founder, Von Weise Architects wife, Who cut off their tails with Paola Agguire Associate,see Urban Planner, SOM a carving knife, Did you ever such a sight in your life, As Drew three Ranieri AIA Associate Principal, SCB blind mice?[
Sandy Stevenson FAIA Senior Partner, CD
Diagram Descriptiopn.. Three blind mice. Three blind mice. how they run. See how they PeterSee Ellis FAIA Senior Partner New Cities, CD run. They all ran after the farmer’s Randy Guillot AIA wife, Who cut off their tails with Design Partner, CD a carving knife, Did you ever see Geoff Walters AIA such a sight in your life, As three Senior Partner, CD blind mice?[ John Syvertsen FAIA Senior Partner, CD
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DISRUPTION Intervention
or Loop. nner city loop arnessing the asing the ease options.
I am not sure if I should leave so much text in this area or use bullet points to sum up what I am trying to say.
THE MAJOR LOOP
Pedestrian and Cyclist Way
a new geometgnation, unfaetc. etc. etc.
Highspeed Rail Level
Imagine a high speed
train system running BRT and through Chicago that
connects O’Hare
how eighny ay in icture we oods.
Bike Lanes
Midway, and
Navy
Pier. This “Chicago
Triangle” will create A combined structure of high speed transportation and persona three
main
nodes transporation is mixed into this three tier program. High Speed
used to transport long distance as well as Bus and Bike lanes t
within the city that encourage the use of more eonomical and environmentaly frien all activity will then
ion in Chicaemographic in radiate from. Along tial growth in n order to nurthis new system, a complex network of public transit can the necessary develop along existing streets within nodes. This vast web of e.
public transit will strongly reduce automobile dependence.
ious talking points. Which in turn, allows for the blurring of the boundaries t is saying that we are becoming more aware of ugh transportation. A large number of the workbetween the city and airports creating unique public spaces. ate their housing to allow themselves to commute riendly manner. Biking in Chicago has grown d continues to be an option. Increasing public This ease of transportation lets you bus, highspeed train, and dedicated elevated biketake the current structure ift making Chicago a better place to live. etc. etc.
of “live, work, play” communities and flip them inside out. No
longer does each node need all the amenities of everyday life. The current themes of each node can be amplified, transforming O’Hare into an aerotropolis business center and converting Midway into an attractive leisure destination with a strong Chicago Identity.
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methods of transporation.
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DISRUPTION
Outside the highly dense areas are those that are made for comfort. Typical urban and suburban residential developments rarely allow for the ideal density of population, holding back potential growth for the area.
By disrupting typological regions we can create areas that blend together, allowing for many more opportunities.
OUTSIDE
SUBURBAN 1,000 - 3,000 people per square mile
INSIDE
URBAN 3,000 + people per square mile
A dense population spread out over a vast amount
A dense population focused on economical use of
of land. Giving way to wasted resources and islands
land and space. The integration of dense residential
of developments that become their own constraining
and long corridors of commercial and/or mixed use
blocks.
development allows healthy communities and a sense of place to develop.
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URBAN
Increased quality of life, ease of transportation, density, jobs and more economical means of transportation.
SUBURBAN
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INTERVENE
An intervention of transportation can increase the quality of life in the Chicago area. Using High speed train as well as dedicated bus and bike lanes we can better encourage the use of other means of transportation.
INSIDE THE LOOP UNDERSTANDING THE REACH OF THE MAJOR LOOP POPULATION WITHIN THE LOOP
2,041,075
BICYCLE TRIPS PER DAY
125,000
PUBLIC TRANSPORT TRIPS PER DAY
1.7 MILLION
CITY / REGIONAL LOOP Learning from the success of the inner city loop we can establish a “major” loop, harnessing the bigger Chicagoland area and increasing the ease of more economical transportation options. The grid already being established a new geometric shape adds place, location, designation, unfamiliarity in the terms of diversity, etc. Understanding the transportation in Chicago instantly reveals a changing demographic in culture. There has been an exponential growth in commute by the means of bicycle. In order to nurture this cultural shift we must take the necessary steps now to ensure a healthy future.
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A combined structure of high speed transportation and personal transportation is mixed into this three tier program. High Speed rail used to transport long distance as well as Bus and Bike lanes to encourage the use of more economical and environmentally friendly methods of transportation.
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CONNECTION CONNECT THE DOTS Imagine a high speed rail system
will strongly reduce automobile
transforming
O’Hare
running along Chicago’s current
dependence. Which in turn, allows
aerotropolis
business
infrastructure connecting Midway,
for the blurring of the boundaries
and converting Midway into an
O’Hare and Navy Pier. This “Chicago
between city and airport, creating
attractive leisure destination with
Triangle”, formed by the H-Line,
unique public spaces.
a strong Chicago Identity.
will create three main nodes
Due to this ease of transportation
within the city that all activity will
the current structure of “live,
then radiate from. Along this new
work, play” communities to be
system, a complex network of
flipped inside out. No longer
public transit can develop along
does each node need all the
existing streets within the nodes.
amenities of everyday life. Current
This vast web of public transit
nodal themes can be amplified,
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into
an
center
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MESHING
With current aviation technology in 2046, airplanes no longer require the length of current runways. This advancement in aviation technology coupled with enhanced airport security allows for the airports of today to be completely re imagined. Airports can be minimized and the line between airport and city can be blurred. The runways can bleed out into the city fabric and create unique spaces out of previously under utilized areas.
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AMPLIFICATION The implementation of the H-Line has allowed for certain nodes to be created throughout the city. Accelerated mass transit enables people to live further away from their daily activities. The current themes of each point of the triangle can be amplified. Midway can now become a vibrant cultural hub, while O’Hare can expand into a business driven “aerotropolis”.
The H-Line, accompanied by a complex network of varied transit lines, will bring a large number of passengers into the MDW area. The steady increase of pedestrian activity will intensify current commercial corridors and lay the framework for future growth.
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TRANSFORMATION Currently, the MDW area is blocked out in large residential sections with business and industrial scattered within. Implementing a new commercial core, radiating from the H-Line stop at MDW, will allow for the region to be redefined. Unique walkable zones with pedestrian streets and large open public spaces can now be formed. The abundance of foot traffic can be utilized to create a high energy mixed use sector that will wake up the area. This transformation will change MDW from its current “Bedroom Community� state into an active, lively community throughout the day.
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Commercial Mixed-Use Pedestrian Streets Green/Open Space
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IMPLEMENTATION The H-Line will severely revolutionize airports and their surrounding fringe conditions. The runways can now be molded into a “conveyor belt” like system where passengers are efficiently transferred from plane to public transit. The fringe conditions extending out of the runways can be morphed into active public spaces that can be utilized by residents and travelers alike. The land that has been carved away from the airport can be converted into unique mixed use corridors and plazas that will energize the area. In conclusion, the implementation of the H-Line and “Chicago Triangle” has the potential to greatly enhance the current conditions of MDW and its surrounding area.
Residential
Residential
Building
Through Space
Flex Space
Fountain
Flex Space
Through Space
Building
Commercial
Residential
Residential
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Building
Flex Space
Through Space
Plant Dividers
Bike Lanes
Plant Dividers
Through Space
Flex Space
Building
Commercial
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FUTURE THE TECHNICAL DELTA Innovation: the action or process
our lives. Yet what is the next step
much more enjoyable for the
of innovating. Innovation is apart
in innovation? According to Airbus
user. Taking the stress factor out
of the world we live in. As we have
it is aviation. They have designed
, and focusing on exactly what the
grown as a society, innovation has
a 2050 plan that would drastically
customer needs and wants for a
become a more integral part of
change the way we fly. There main
enjoyable flight.
life. We rely technology to better
goal is to make the experience
Current Technology
Projected Technology
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1,800 ft. runway
5,500 ft. runway
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OPPORTUNITIES
Text Goes Here
Midway
Usage
MDW offers a very interesting proposition when you look at the future of aviation. Due to the compactness of MDW it struggles to compete with the larger airports today because it has no room for expansion. But what if the future could erase the need for long runways, and large airports? MDW compared to the majority of airports has
very short runways. The longest runway is only 6446’ which is very short compared to most. Due to the short runways and surronding infulstructure, MDW is much different then most.
MDW as of right now has five runways with zero to no room to expand the number of runways they have. The longest of which are used for the commercial plane travel,which accounts for the majority of MDW business. The next two longest are used for mostly general avaition and the smallest of the fiveis used for
light aircrafts.
3859’
5141’ 6446’ 6522’
5507’
Text Goes Here
Text Goes Here
Midway has always been constrained by the inability
Commercial aviation is the majority of Midways
to expand. This is shown in the size of its five runways,
business, taking up over 70% of the airports business.
which are very short compared to the majority of other
The two largest runways are used for just that. The
international airports. Midways lack of size has always
next two larger runways are used for mostly general
been a issue for it to compete with the larger airfields,
aviation, the smallest of the five is used for light
yet could it be a asset with the prospective aviation
aircraft aviation.
technology
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Text Goes Here
Midway
Usage
MDW has always been restricted by its size. With the inability to expand outward, the only chance MDW has is to relie on technology advancements.
By the year 2050, technology has advanced so much that MDW could be a thriving airport due to its constraints and borders. Airbus has said the 2050 plan, is drastically different then avaition today. The major advancement that would effect MDW the most would be the drastic shortning of runways. Airbus expects
Text Goes Here
runways to be one third the length they are now. Midway could essentially quadruple the amount of runways they have as of now. Also the effeicency that Airbus expects flying to have a that point would also make this a much for feasable option then it would be today.
Text Goes Here
Due to the constraints that Midway is presented
In 2050 aviation has changed, planes are more
with it has never been able to expand the way that
efficient, quieter, and can take off and land in
most airports do. Midway is surrounded by mostly
one third the length that they used to. Midway
neighborhoods, and four main corridors of Cicero Ave,
now has the capability to take advantage of this
Central Ave, 55th, and 63rd St.
and quadruple the amount of runways they have. Not only does this make midway a much larger airport, but could it make the area around it a thriving area?
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UNITY THE H-LINE The proposed hyper-transit, or
development within the airports,
the city. By studying the cases
H-Line,
will provide an efficient
as well as the surrounding local
of the connections, specifically
method of transporting people
communities. The idea of “the
using high-speed rail, or maglev,
between
International
single entity” is considered as
we attempt to understand the
International
a
for
windows of opportunities that
Airports as well as serve the city
the two airports to share the
could be drawn. Furthermore, it is
of Chicago . Our focus of study
assets,
positive
an effort to seek out opportunities
within the proposed system is
outcomes both economically and
using the assets of an enhanced
the connection between the two
culturally. There are few cases
transportation
airports and how the high-speed
around the world that connects
airport operations together as a
transit will allow the airports to
a larger international airport to
“single entity”.
establish “the single entity”. The
smaller municipal airport, that
H-Line will create opportunities
services domestic travel as well
for
as better access to the core of
and
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O’Hare
Midway
further
expansion
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and
necessary
framework
creating
the
network
and
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Area ic
ATLANTA CASE STUDY:1900 TO 2012 Hartsfield-Jackson
International
transportation
network
that
to the city. It provided the solution
Airport is the busiest airports
created opportunities for further
for
moving
people
efficiently,
in the world, and the leading
expansion and development. “The
allowing the airport to become the
“The Plane an underground systemanin the secured area busiest of Heartsfield-Jackson revenue(2013) Train” in is passenger Plane rail Train”, underground airport of today, as well as Atlanta International Airport. As the plan for the massive expansion that includes seven traffic and revenue generating. rail system that moves people expansion to the airport airside concourses, It was a brillient solution for moving passengerscontinual that allowed the Atlanta International Airport from gates to gates, is the main and city. airport to become the the busiest airports in the world, and the leading revenue-generating airport case in theofUnited Statesdriver within the airport as well is a successful utilizing
ympicsthe
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effect
of
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enhanced
as to transit connection options
Heartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport 2002
s MPH
es
“The Plane Train” is an underground rail system in the secured area of Heartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. As the plan for the massive expansion that includes seven airside concourses, It was a brillient solution for moving passengers that allowed the airport to become the the busiest airports in the world, and the leading revenue-generating airport in the United States 2.8 Miles Average 30 MPH 8 minutes
2.8 miles Average 30 MPH
“The Plane Train” is an underground rail system in the secured area of Heartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. As the plan for the massive expansion that includes seven airside concourses, It was a brillient solution for moving passengers that allowed the airport to become the the busiest airports in the world, and the leading revenue-generat ing airport in the United States
~ 8 minutes
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Maglev Shanghai Expo
airport to become the the busiest airports in the world, and the leading revenue-generating airport in the United States
SHANGHAI CASE STUDY:2000 TO 2014
In
high-speed
and it’s airport. The train allows
of large scaled events such as
magnetic levitation line in the
for high levels of efficiency and
The Shanghai International Expo
world was completed in Shanghai,
sustainability both for the airport
in 2010, creating a foundation
China,
connections
and city. Currently, it moves people
for development opportunities.
between the city and Pudong
from Pudong international airport
Within 10 years, what was a vast
International Airport. Recording
to other transportation connection
rice field and scattered single-unit
speeds as high as 311 MPH it
hubs such as Longyang station the
houses became one of the highest
is the fastest commercial train
station. Along with the enhanced
valued
of it’s kind, serving one of the
network of transportation options,
Shanghai.
worlds most rapidly growing city
Longyang district hosted numbers
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2004,
the
first
improving
CHICAGO LAB
residential
districts
in
Average 210 MPH
airport to become the the busiest airports in the world, and the leading revenue-generating airport in the United States
~ 15 minutes
Longyang Station - Shanghai Maglev Train Completed 2004 25 Miles Average 210 MPH 15 minutes
“The Plane Train� is an underground rail system in the secured area of Heartsfield-Jackson areas of Longyang station as a Airport, located in the center of the 25 miles Atlanta International Airport. As the plan for the massive expansion that includes seven concourses, It was solution for moving passengers that allowed the result of the airside enhancement of a brillient city that mainly operates domestic to become the the busiest airports in the world, and the leading revenue-generatAverage 210 MPH airport ing airport in the United States
area of Heartsfield-Jackson The diagrams above show the nsion that includes seven ngers that allowedinfrastructure the before and after of e leading revenue-generat-
the construction of the Longyang
the transportation network. The
proposed ~ 15 minutes
Maglev station. Illustrated is the
plan of extending the
rapid densification in surrounding
line to Hongqiao International
flights, resembles the context of
Midway-O’Hare connection and what impacts it could have.
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AIRPORT EXPRESS BUS
1 hour
CTA L-LINE
1 hour 50 minutes
BIKE
1 hour 50 minutes
ORDWAY CASE STUDY WALK
6 hours 30 minutes
Midway O’Hare - Chicago Maglev Train Planned 2014
Travel time between MDW & ORD HIGH-SPEED MAGLEV
5 minutes
TAXI
45 minutes
AIRPORT EXPRESS BUS
1 hour
CTA L-LINE
1 hour 50 minutes
BIKE
1 hour 50 minutes
WALK
6 hours 30 minutes
The Ordway study was focused on
train, similar to Shanghai,would
establishes a network of sharing
the transportation network that
allow
distanced
resources, creating opportunities
creates opportunities for multi-
to be traveled. The high-speed
for improved operations. Current
scale growth and development
Maglev would decrease the travel
travel times would be cut by nearly
and a vision of creating an urban
time of 19 miles, this distance from
90%, making the airports become
core through the same enhanced
Midway to O’Hare to 5 minutes or
a single entity.
network of transportation. The
less. With this connection the two
implementation of a high speed
airports virtually becomes one that
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much
further
Midway O’Hare - Chicago Train Completed Midway O’HareMaglev - Chicago Maglev Train Completed 2046 2046 20 Miles Average 250 MPH 5 minute nonstop
Furthermore, it leads to opportunities for developments along the H-Line. Communities and neighborhoods would see an increase in housing density, as well as property value. The Ordway study shows how the H-Line
20 miles Average 250 MPH
would benefit both airports and community surrounding them.
~ 5 minutes nonstop ~ 10 minutes stop
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FLIGHT STATISTICS One of the major infrastructures that governs the capability of an airport is runways. More runways allow for higher capacity of operations, as longer runways allow for larger aircrafts which could lead to higher capacity of passengers. Observing the available runways and their lengths for commercial use at eight air hubs in the United States, varying in scale, it was possible to emphasize the capacity, and capability of the Ordway airport that features more runways options, comparatively. Through the merge of two airports, Midway can take advantage of having a longer runway that provides more flight options internationally, while O’Hare can take advantage of diverting smaller aircrafts to shorter runways of midway for improved performance.
syawnuR elbaliavA
t3,000 f 000,3ft.
tf5,000 000,5ft.
-eraH’O ogacihC iA lanoitanreORDWAY tnI
dlefistraeH atnaltA iA lanoitanreATL tnI H’O ogacihCORD iA lanoitanretnI elegnA soL LAX iA lanoitanretnI egroeG notsuH IAH iA lanoitanretnI sicnarF naS SFO iA lanoitanretnI .F nhoJ kroY weN iA lanoitanreJFK tnI iC ekaL tlaS iA lanoitanreSLC tnI yawdiM MDW iA lanoitanretnI Available Runways and Lengths
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t7,000 f 000,ft. 7
t9,000 f 000,ft. 9
11,000 tf 000,1ft. 1
13, tf 00000 0,31ft.
Available Runways
Number of Flights ( 2013 )
ORDWAY 11,000 ft
9,000 ft
7,000 ft
5,000 ft
3,000 ft
0
International 100,000
Domestic 200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
Chicago O’Hare-Midway The number of flights is a common deterInternational Airport
minant of the performance of an airport.
The diagram focuses on projecting Atlanta the Heartsfield-Jackson ATL International Airport
improved performance of the merged
Chicago O’Hare ORD International Airport
airport, that could lead the Ordway to
Los AngelesLAX become the busiest and the largest airInternational Airport
port, the title that once both Midway and Huston George H. Bush IAH O’Hare had.
International Airport
San Francisco SFO International Airport New York John F. Kennedy JFK International Airport Salt Lake City SLC International Airport Midway MDW International Airport
Number of Flights (2013)
The opportunity of increased employment and economic growth created by the H-Line connection would be exponential. Through the connection of the airports, “Ordway” would combine to create a model of economic revenue and passenger traffic greater the Atlanta, currently the busiest airport in the world. The H-Line also creates more operations employment for the train as well as the new pre-security checkpoints would create service jobs. Numerous growth opportunities can be derived from the H-Line connection,
Economic and Employment Growth Possibilities
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ROUTE MAPS The Diagram below shows the destinations of both Midway and O’Hare international Airport and the effect of how travel destinations would be effected by combining bother airports into a single entity. O’Hare would add more flights outside the US, while Midway contributes as more of a domestic partner to O’Hare’s international travel.
O’Hare International Airport
Midway International Airport
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Ordway International Airport
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POTENTIAL
Current Conditions at O’Hare Airport
Vitalized Conditions at O’Hare Airport The Current Conditions of O’Hare are not much of a place to welcome visitors to Chicago. Most of the Surrounding infrastructure is designed to move high volumes of the active community directly to downtown or to the nearby commercial business areas. With the H-Line, the area will see the vast amounts of vacant land surrounding the area begin to fill with large commercial corridors and mixed use housing. The new infrastructure sustains the need for commercial space as well being to mix the dense residential building type see around the Midway Airport.
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Current Conditions Along Cicero Avenue
Vitalized Conditions of Cicero Avenue Cicero Avenue currently is an eight lane avenue that acts a freeway for commuters to and from the airport. Currently the area is not pedestrian friendly, and littered with vacant lots along is perimeter. The eight lane road acts as a barrier to all the surrounding neighborhoods creating a disconnect from the residential and the business corridor. Using Urban design principles like streetscape, BRT, and buffers used for storm-water management and visual friction pared with mixed used architectural elements Cicero Avenue can become a thriving “Broadway Street� of the Midway Area.
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POTENTIAL
Current Conditions in Neighborhood Industrial Areas Surrounding Midway
Vitalized Conditions in Neighborhood Industrial Areas Surrounding Midway Right Outside the fringe of the Midway Airport the heavy rain line beings to have a very large impact cutting directly through neighborhood districts. The current conditions of the area are deserted businesses and brown fields. The areas are not well maintained and pose vast opportunity for development. The H-Line running through these districts would bring new life by creating a residential density boom and conversion of brown field into open public spaces. The results of the H-Line would be similar to the effect the “L� had in downtown Chicago and surrounding neighborhoods such as Wicker Park and Pilsen.
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Current Fringe Conditions Surrounding Midway
Vitalized Fringe Conditions Surrounding Midway The fringe conditions of Midway are one of the major issues that the business’ and neighborhoods face surrounding Midway. The airport is walled in to prevent any injuries, as a result of the 2005 plane accident, creating a visual barrier to all surrounding road. The large streets have created a barrier which has essential eradicated the active community creating business to fail and vacant lots. Open space has been created, however the lack of community causes them to become remote. The H-Line would cause the area to become a highly valued area, allowing for higher density mixed use buildings, as well as habitable Public spaces.
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APPENDIX
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UNIVERSITY OF UTAH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE + PLANNING
ChicagoLAB