Guide to the Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Research: 1992 Chicago World's Fair Planning, 1977-1985

The Center for Urban Affairs was founded in 1969 by Professor Raymond W. Mack in order to work with Chicago area community groups and promote interdisciplinary research on urban policy issues. Renamed the Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Research in 1983, its mission was expanded to include research that would contribute to the scholarly literature and to the solution of problems facing American cities. In addition, the CUAPR would facilitate the growth and development of interdisciplinary, social-policy faculty and programs, participate in discussions of important public policy issues, and engage in selective, cooperative ventures with government and private organizations.

In the early part of the 1980s, Northwestern University's Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Research (CUAPR) and Louis H. Masotti, Director of the Center from 1971-1980, were involved in the planning for a World's Fair to be held in Chicago in 1992. Dr. Masotti's background in urban policies made him a valuable member of the Economic Development Committee for the Fair project, and the CUAPR's mission to promote research on prevalent urban policy issues facing the community provided a scholarly environment in which to debate the viability of Chicago hosting its third World's Fair, given the success of the previous efforts in 1893 and 1933.

In 1984, the CUAPR and a board of community associates sponsored the 1992 World's Fair Forums. Eight presentations were held over the course of the year and featured panels of interested parties and experts on various aspects of the fair. The purpose was to foster open discussion of many issues around the proposed Chicago World's Fair and was designed to provide historical context and explore major social, political, and humanistic issues relating to the planning of the fair. Development of these forums was made possible with funding from the Illinois Humanities Council, Joyce Foundation, the Mayor's Office of Special Events, and gifts from private individuals. Following each forum the CUAPR published the papers presented. By June 1985 it was evident that Fair planners lacked the Illinois legislative support; one last forum was held and its papers published before the project was abandoned.

Dr. Louis Henry Masotti served on the Economic Development Committee of the World's Fair Authority. Masotti was born May 16, 1934 grew up in New York City. He also resided in Cleveland, OH and Los Angeles, CA before moving to Evanston.

In 1956 Masotti received an A.B. in Politics from Princeton University. After serving as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy from 1956-1959, he continued his education in Political Science at Northwestern University earning a M.A. in 1961 and his Ph.D in 1964.

Prior to joining the faculty at Northwestern University in 1970, Masotti was an Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Civil Violence Research Center at Case Western Reserve University from 1963-1969. During the summer of 1969 he was on faculty at the University of Washington before moving to the John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in Bologna, Italy in 1969 through 1970 where he was a Senior Fulbright Lecturer. At Northwestern University, Masotti served as Director of the Center for Urban Affairs from 1971-1980. In addition, he was the Director of the Public Management Program at Northwestern's J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Dr. Masotti is the author and editor of numerous books on urban politics and policy, including “Transition: From Richard J. Daley to Jane M. Bryne in Chicago.” He headed the transition task force that identified and detailed the major problems and needs of Chicago for incoming Mayor, Jane Bryne. During 1982-1983, he was the development coordinator for high technology for the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois. He served as editor of the journal “Education and Urban Society,” as editor-in-chief of “Urban Affairs Quarterly,” and as special consultant to McCall's Magazine, specializing in suburban trends and research.

Since relocating to California Dr. Masotti has served as President of Louis H. Masotti, Ltd, a management, real estate, and urban development consulting firm.

• Names
  • Chicago World's Fair--1992 Authority
  • Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.). Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Research
  • World's Fair (1992 : Chicago, Ill.)
  • Masotti, Louis H.
• Geographic CoverageChicago (Ill.)--Exhibitions--Planning

These records were transferred to the University Archives by Bonnie Silver from the Institute for Policy Research on September 28, 2004 as Accession Number 04-141.

Jacklyn Freitas; April 25, 2005.

None.

See Also: Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Research Report, 1983-1986, pp. 39-40 (University Archives General Files). The holdings of the Chicago Historical Society include extensive documentation of the 1992 World’s Fair planning process.

The records of the Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Research filling three boxes, document the CUAPR's involvement in the planning of the proposed 1992 Chicago World's Fair. Most of the records reflect Louis Masotti's involvement in the planning process. Records date from 1977 to 1985, with the bulk of the materials falling between 1984 and 1985. While many of the reports and most of the newspaper clippings collected by the CUAPR are not directly connected with the Center or with Dr. Masotti, they provide context for CUAPR involvement, as well as important information about the project as a whole.

Documents fall into the following categories: Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Research and the World's Fair planning process, records relating directly to Louis Masotti and to the Economic Development Committee on which he served, the 1992 Chicago World's Fair Authority, and news clippings and articles. Materials are arranged chronologically within folders.

CUAPR and the World's Fair planning process include volumes I-VII of the World's Fair Forum, correspondence regarding environmental impact, a feasibility and benefit study, and a draft of the electric centralization research project.

Materials relating directly to Louis Masotti include general correspondence regarding the project, personal notes of interviews and ideas, a student paper on the economic development of the World's Fair, and notes on the symposium series and seminars.

The Economic Development Committee category includes financial plans, meeting minutes, and general notes and memos. Drafts and proposals of the economic impact and benefits, feasibility studies, and projections are also included.

The 1992 Chicago World's Fair Authority was instituted to coordinate planning and development of the World's Fair project entitled “Age of Discovery.” Records include newsletters, themes, programs, site configurations, and executive summaries of environmental assessment and concept plans.

News clippings and articles are arranged chronologically within folders ranging from 1981 to 1985. Included are clippings from the 1982 Knoxville and 1984 New Orleans World's Fairs, articles appearing in Inland Architect Magazine, Chicago Tribune World's Fair Series by R.C. Longworth, and a file labeled “RIP” containing clippings marking the death of the Chicago World's Fair project in June, 1985.