The Politics of Place ─ A History of Zoning in Chicago

Chicago is renowned for its distinctive skyline, its bustling Loop business district, and its diverse neighborhoods. How the face of Chicago came to be is a story of enterprise, ingenuity, opportunity—and zoning. The Politics of Place reviews the interplay among development, planning, and zoning in the growth of the Gold Coast, the central area, and massive planned developments, such as Marina City, Illinois Center, and Dearborn Park. It tells the story of the bold visions compromised by political realities, battles between residents and developers, and occasional misfires from the city council and city hall. What emerges is a fascinating, behind-the-scenes exploration of the evolving character of the city's landscape.

Joseph P. Schwieterman is a professor in the School of Public Service and the director of the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University. He is the author of several books on urban issues and works closely with DePaul’s Real Estate Center. He holds a Ph.D. in public policy from the University of Chicago.
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Dana M. Caspall is an experienced auditor who works for the federal government and has spent much of her professional life investigating business and governmental programs. She earned an M.S. in public service management from DePaul University and has written extensively on zoning, housing, and building-code matters.