Chicago City Builders Book Club: Nature's Metropolis, Part One

Chicago City Builders Book Club: Nature’s Metropolis, Part 1

William Cronon’s Nature’s Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West is a landmark history that redefined how we understand cities. Cronon shows that Chicago’s rise was not simply the story of a booming metropolis, but of a city that reshaped its entire region by binding nature and economy together. From prairies and forests to markets and railroads, he uncovers how the city and countryside grew in tandem.

It is also not a short book. To keep us all sane (and social), we are spreading the discussion across three gatherings. Each session will focus on one part of the book, making it easier to digest and giving us time to actually talk about what we are reading instead of racing to the end. Think of it as the book club equivalent of a slow-cooked meal, not a microwave dinner.

This first session will focus on Part I, which traces Chicago’s early development as a marketplace and examines how land, nature, and settlement patterns set the stage for the city’s explosive growth.

The Vibe
This is not a lecture or an academic seminar. Think of it as a happy hour with a book in hand. We meet over drinks and snacks for spirited conversation with fellow city builders. If you are passionate about public service, urban design, or the messy mechanics of reform, you will find your people here.

Where and When
We meet at locations near the Loop every six weeks or so. Join us for Part I, and come back for Parts II and III to complete the conversation. Each session will stand on its own, but together they will provide a deeper understanding of how Chicago became the metropolis that shaped a region.

Hosts

Marla Westervelt Berg, Principal, Cityfi, [email protected]

Lauren Mattern, Founder & TDM Lead, Journey, [email protected]

Mike Ernst, Associate, Arup, [email protected]

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Cityfi and Journey