Chicago's World’s Fair Assignment (response paper)

Chicago’s World Fair was an exhibit of the achievement and visions of the future at the end of 19^th century. It might be useful to examine this “city” before we start studying the 20^th century urban planning developments (Peter Hall’s book).

The main goal of this assignment is to “walk” through this “city”, watch its main attractions, get a sense of this utopian environment and attempt to read messages conveyed through the exhibit about A. the past; B. the future; C. non-Western worlds; D. urban life in general.

A. Visit various sections of the site, but don’t miss one particular link. From the main page go to “Highlights”, then chose The Dream City Layout

• Study the main buildings of the fair (Administration Building, etc.). What is the dominant architectural style(s) of the buildings? Of what do these buildings remind the viewer? What culture(s) or cities do these buildings invoke? Any associations with our previous discussions of the historical urban periods?

B. “Dream City” is the name of the book depicting the fair. After browsing it, comment on in what sense is it a “dream” city? In what respect this urban environment is futuristic? What kind of future this utopian landscape envisioned?

C. From “Highlight” visit Map of the Grounds

• Note the map of the fairgrounds.  Notice how the Midway Plaisance is separated from the "official" fair in a strip of land which juts out from the grounds. (This is still called the Midway today, in Chicago's Hyde Park.)  Make a list of the "attractions" found on the Midway. (More details in the section Midway Plaisance. Use the map for this information.) What does the strange list of attractions have in common? How are non-white, non-northern European cultures portrayed? 

D. In what sense is this fair complex a “city”? What is American in this city? Do you think this “city” is indeed the "ideal American city"? Note that this complex was located in Chicago – any direct or indirect references to the city in the fair complex?

E. Finally, mention anything interesting you have found, anything worthy discussion or mentioning in class.