A Green Revival in Paris

Sitting close to the Siene River in Paris, France, just steps from Notre Dame, sits Hotel de Ville, also known as the City Hall of Paris. The land itself has been used for important city business since 1357 when the mayor of Paris at the time first moved to the site. The current building has structural roots dating back to 1533, but much of the structure was restored after the building was set on fire in 1871. Until recently, a large concrete plaza sat outside the building. However, over the last year, it has been completely transformed and is now lush with newly planted trees and vegetation. Paris, wanting to take active steps to help combat global warming and to introduce more vegetation into areas that are classified as heat islands, undertook the overhaul of the exterior space and created a stunning display that other urban areas can replicate.

A heat island occurs when an urban area experiences much warmer temperature than nearby rural areas. Factors that contribute to heat islands include reduced natural landscapes, building materials such as pavement that absorbs heat, density of buildings that block sun and wind, and heat generated from human activities such as vehicles and large buildings.

In order for the greenery to flourish in the plaza for years to come, local trees and vegetation were carefully chosen and planted with special watering and drainage systems. These choices will help to ensure roots have room to properly grow overtime. Over 50 large trees and 20,000 plants were included in the design, with greenery now covering over 25% of the plaza. The space has places where visitors can take a moment to sit and enjoy the beautiful architecture and greenery all around them.  

This marvelous project can be used as an example for other urban areas. Here in Chicago, we have done much to increase the biodiversity of plants and trees over the years. Our lakefront, parks and streetscapes are lush and provide numerous physical and mental health benefits. However, the project in Paris forces other urban areas to reconsider how greenery can be introduced in an even larger way, as issues of global warming become more prevalent. As one of my favorite quotes go “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

Route 66 Turns 100

This year Route 66 turns 100. Also known as the “Mother Road,” as first penned by John Steinbeck in the “Grapes of Wrath,” the road, starting in Chicago and going all the way to Santa Monica Pier in California, has now connected urban and rural areas for a century. Route 66 has millions of stories to tell, some as simple as fun family road trips, and others, a little more nuanced, filled with history, both good and bad.

Originally opening in November of 1926, the road was created as part of the country’s first numbered highway system, connecting Chicago to Santa Monica into one continuous route.  Over the years, the road went from being used by people heading west during the Dust Bowl, to a route known for tourism, allowing businesses such as diners and hotels along the route to flourish. Each town offered a unique experience, highlighting the good that makes up our country.

As time went on, traffic on Route 66 dwindled, as the Interstate Highway System was created in the late 1950’s. With faster, more direct routes, people no longer needed to go through Route 66, and many towns shut down completely. 100 years later, much of the road remains, however the route is no longer continuous or filled with as many sightseeing options as it once was. But nostalgia for the road is still felt strongly today, with events throughout the country, from Illinois to Missouri to Oklahoma to California, honoring the 100-year anniversary.

In Chicago the route was recently commemorated with a new sign at Navy Pier, marking the new official start of the route. While the original starting point has shifted slightly over the years, with the most recent starting point at Adams and Jackson, the new starting point marks the “pier-to-pier” journey one can now take from Navy Pier to Santa Monica Pier. The route that inspired books, songs and movies is now 100, with lots more stories to tell, and for new travelers to experience.