ABSTRACT
Owing to their great height, skyscrapers not only defy the human scale but also create potentially stressful environments. Parks and open spaces can mitigate these problems by harmonizing the urban with the natural, providing places where people can come together to enjoy social life while immersed in natural beauty. Public parks and open spaces elevate our sensibilities in regards to the natural environment, reminding us of the benefits that greenery can bring to our dense cities. The following examples illustrate the significance of parks and open spaces in improving our experience of the high-rise city. In recent years, the City of Chicago has been revitalizing its downtown by integrating large public spaces. This chapter focuses on three of Chicago’s most recent developments, namely Millennium Park, the Maggie Daley Park (MDP) and the Chicago River Walk.
