No Small Plans

A graphic novel that follows the neighborhood adventures of teens in Chicago's past, present and future as they wrestle with designing the city they want, need and deserve.

The book was inspired by the 1911 Wacker’s Manual, which was once used in classrooms to explain Daniel Burnham’s 1909 Plan of Chicago. It is filled with beautiful illustrations and divided into three chapters set in the years 1928, 2017 and 2211. Each chapter ends with a map and a short interlude about Burnham, to give readers insight into the creation of the 1909 Plan and other urban planning challenges.

No Small Plans was launched in conjunction with the CAC’s 50th anniversary and the Meet Your City” initiative, which aims to foster civic engagement.

In partnership with Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Public Library, the CAC has distributed thousands of copies of No Small Plans for free to Chicago teens since it was published.

To further explore the themes, characters and settings featured in No Small Plans, view our reader’s toolkit. The toolkit includes a page-by-page annotated guide for each chapter, teaching resources and an interactive map.

Plot Summary

No Small Plans is organized into three chapters. Each chapter concludes with a map showing where the action takes place. In between each chapter is an "interlude" that brings Daniel Burnham—and the art and science of urban planning—to life.

Chapter 1: The Past

In 1928 Chicago, at the height of the construction boom following the 1909 Plan of Chicago, Reggie, Elisa and Bernard defy social codes to spend an afternoon together adventuring around downtown. They run headlong into the contradictions of racial and class discrimination in public space and must decide to stand and fight, or protest another day, another way.

Chapter 2: The Present

In 2017, Jesse, David and Cristina realize their classroom discussions about zoning, fair housing, gentrification and displacement are real, urgent issues when they discover their friend Natalie is being evicted from her home. As they work to support Natalie, they learn about Chicago's history of development and organized resistance and start to understand that making change takes a community.

Chapter 3: The Future

In the year 2211, Chicago is geographically segregated and virtual reality is the primary bridge for staying connected across neighborhoods. As teens, Octavius, Tsang, Codex, Gabriela and Rafael are assigned to the City Planning Council for their Year of Civic Service. They struggle to come together to make decisions that will affect a neighborhood none of them live in.