College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences > Centers & Institutes > Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development > Programs

Programs

​​​​​The Chaddick Institute offers technical programs, trainings, scholarships, and other special events throughout the academic year on topics of interest to land use, transportation, and municipal policy professionals and students.

Municipal Design Review Network (MDRN)
MDRN is a unique network for Chicago area communities with design review boards or staff professionals to share and develop best practices. This group organizes collaborative, professional-to-professional networking events sponsored by the Institute. Learn more about MDRN, including its advisory board, mission, and publications, please select the Municipal Design Review Network tab on the left side of this page.  For its upcoming events, click here.

Plan Commission Trainings
The Chaddick Institute works in partnership with the American Planning Association, Illinois Chapter, to provide training to municipal planning commissions and village boards. All planning officials work hard to review cases, conduct public hearings, and consider policy matters, but they rarely get the chance to sit back and look at the big picture of what they do and the significance it has to the communities in which they live. Additionally, most officials are not professionals in the planning or development fields and can benefit from a bit of extra training on the topic. Even seasoned commissioners appreciate the chance to step back from the task of plan review and approval, learn what’s new in planning, and discuss their role with fellow commissioners. Learn more about Plan Commission Trainings her​e.

Air Transport Policy Initiative
The Air Transport Policy Initiative is a new collaborative effort between DePaul University's Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development and College of Law focused on improving air and intermodal transport worldwide through innovative policy solutions. Among other efforts, the initiative supports the publication of the widely respected semiannual journal, Issues in Aviation Law and Policy, now in its sixteenth year, as well a number of periodic reports and white papers. Stay tuned for more information about this new and exciting initiative.

Transportation Research Forum (TRF) - Chicago Chapter
The Chaddick Institute is the administrative home of the Chicago Chapter of the Transportation Research Forum. This chapter of "TRF" sponsors free quarterly brown bag lunches on the DePaul campus, as well as webinars and other events showcasing innovations and timely research in transportation. Email trf-chicago@depaul.edu for information about becoming a TRF member, and visit our Upcoming Events​ and Recent Highlights page for information about past and future programs.​

Students and Scholarships
The Chaddick Institute encourages students at Chicago-area universities to participate in its workshops and events. At any given point throughout the academic year, 20 to 30 students are generally involved in our programs, research activities, and bi-annual study trips to other Midwestern cities. Students involved in our programs have gone on to work at such organizations as the American Planning Association, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, City of Chicago, Transportation Research Forum, ​and Congress for the New Urbanism. Learn more about our student and scholarship programs here.

Collaboration with National Great Rivers Research & Education Center
Our collaboration with the National Great Rivers Research & Education Center, led by Professor William Kling, promotes excellence in ecological preservation, land-use planning, and public policy involving our region's and state's river systems.   This partnership, launched​ in 2022, focuses heavily on educating policymakers and citizens about the many challenges facing our river systems and water supply.     

​​Development Certificate
Information about our graduate certificate will be posted here, please email chaddick@depaul.edu  to obtain information on these notable offerings. 

Notable Past Programs

Municipal Development Awards
The Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development periodically hosts the Municipal Development Award competition recognizing innovation and leadership in managing the development process. Past winners deserve wide recognition for their excellence in using zoning, development approvals, subdivision regulation, and design to build stronger and more livable communities. Learn more about past Chaddick Municipal Development Awards here.

Windy City in Motion Exhibit
Our exhibit, Windy City in Motion: Movies + Travel in Chicago, was on display at Chicago Union Station between summer 2016 and fall 2017. The multi-media display incorporated portrayals of Chicago's transportation system and neighborhoods - many of which have been prominently featured on the silver screen. Click here​ for more information.