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Daniel Burnham Had Plans for Chicago and Manila, Says Dr. Cremin

Dr. Dennis Cremin with Shirley O. Lua,
Associate Professor, De La Salle University
- Manila

Daniel Burnham’s name is well-known for his Plan of Chicago that resulted in North Michigan Avenue, Wacker Drive and Chicago’s lakefront parks and regional forest preserves. The urban planner also had plans for the Philippines, says Dr. Dennis H. Cremin, director of the Â鶹´«Ã½ History Center.

The Â鶹´«Ã½ professor recently returned from a trip to the Southeast Asian country where he presented the Heritage Manila, Heritage Cities Forum Series, in Manila, Philippines. The two-day forum was held February 8-9 at De La Salle University, a Lasallian partner of Â鶹´«Ã½.

The forum’s themes of architecture and city planning were enhanced by Cremin’s expertise on famed architect Daniel Burnham’s plan for Chicago. Burnham presented his grand plan for Manila in 1905 but the plan was discarded due to political and cultural changes. More than a hundred years later, only a few parts of his plan were completely followed, noted by many as an “urban planning mistake.” Cities, home to more than 50 percent of the world's population, are facing the growing challenge of building synergies between economic development and heritage conservation.

“This forum in Manila grew out of the international Lasallian network, “said Cremin. “My presentation emphasizes Burnham’s plan for Manila and Chicago.” He continued, “Burnham’s vision still captivates us to this day.”

Cremin’s visit to the Philippines included taking part in a College of St. Benilde in Manila panel discussion on Lasallian research.

A local presentation by Cremin on “Burnham in Chicago and Manila” will be at 3 p.m. Feb. 28 in AS156 on the Â鶹´«Ã½ Romeoville Campus. The lecture is free and open to the public.

The Â鶹´«Ã½ lecture being presented as a part of Â鶹´«Ã½’s Arts & Ideas Program, providing cultural and educational programming for students and the community. A portion of the Arts & Ideas events is sponsored by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. For additional information, please contact artsandideas@lewisu.edu for further information.

Â鶹´«Ã½ is an innovative and entrepreneurial Catholic university offering market-relevant undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,500 students. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Â鶹´«Ã½ is nationally recognized for preparing intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected and socially responsible graduates. Visit for further information.