Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin today posted a great piece on livable streets and street closures and revived a plaza proposal I floated last year: Let's keep an open mind on closing streets: They might bring new life to dull city blocks

Read the proposal for a plaza by the Belmont Red Line station here: http://www.carfreechicago.com/belmontplaza

Where else might you envision a neighborhood plaza in Chicago?

Studio Murmur is a product design firm based in Chicago. We currently seek to engage individuals, organizations and city /state transportation officials in launching a bike parking initiative to design the next generation of bicycle racks in Chicago. Similar efforts have been successful in Toronto and New York City and smaller initiatives are underway in other cities. Secure and easy-to-use parking for a wide range of bicycles is a non-trivial problem that is not sufficiently addressed by many current rack designs. If you are someone, or know someone, who can help, please contact us at info@studiomurmur.net Thanks!

I thought it was time to revisit the Queen's Landing crosswalk following last month's approval of the updated Central Area Action Plan. You may recall that this crosswalk connecting Buckingham Fountain to Lake Michigan was closed back in July 2005. Well, slipped in among the costly major infrastructure projects outlined in the plan is a small item about a crosswalk with a $500,000 price tag. No massive overdone bridge over LSD as had been discussed following the crosswalk closing -- just a simple way to cross the street at Queen's Landing and restore a critical connection between the Lake and Grant Park. A bridge or an underpass would be an over-engineered and overpriced solution to getting people across the street.

The Metropolitan Planning Council has been on the hunt this summer for the best public place in Chicagoland. They've compiled over 50 photos and videos of people’s favorite public places and now they want you to vote for the best at http://www.placemakingchicago.com/places (deadline for voting is Sept. 14).

They've also created a handy Google Map to make it easier for you to explore interesting places to visit in the region, many of which are accessible by foot, bike or transit. Google offers directions by public transit for CTA and Metra to help you find your way.

Do you dream of a future where bikes outnumber cars on Chicago streets and drive-throughs are displaced by new train stations? Well the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) needs the public's help to create Chicago's 2040 regional plan, and they want to know about your vision for the future. Be sure to have your say in the direction of our region! You have through early September to weigh in using the Invent the Future web tools at www.goto2040.org. The site also has details about other opportunities to participate through community meetings and kiosks.

I've invented my own 2040 scenario. You should too, and vote for your favorite of the three scenarios CMAP has presented.