Daniel Burnham

A documentary airing nationally on PBS today looks at the work of Daniel Burnham and the emergence of the urban planning profession.

"The film, which premieres nationally on PBS on Labor Day, September 6 (check local listings for times), recounts the life of Chicago architect Daniel Burnham (1846-1912), famous for designing the Flatiron Building in New York, Union Station in Washington, D.C., and the landmark 1909 master plan for Chicago. He pioneered the skyscraper form, then introduced the City Beautiful to cities across the United States and the Philippine Islands; along the way, he practically invented not only the large, corporate architecture firm, but also the very discipline of urban planning."

The documentary gives special attention to Burnham's civic idealism, and what many see as a philanthropic approach to urban improvement.

Full Story: "City Beautiful" Comes Alive in Daniel Burnham Documentary