About Us
An Innovations Center for Urban Sustainability
Founded in 1978, the Center for Neighborhood Technology has been a leader in promoting more livable and sustainable urban communities. In fact, our work focused on sustainable development before the term became as popular as it is today. As a creative think-and-do-tank, we research, invent, and test urban strategies that use resources more efficiently and more equitably.
Over the years, CNT’s work, especially in the areas of climate, energy, natural resources, transportation and community development, has paid off by fueling a generation of community development and learning institutions, earning CNT a reputation as an economic innovator and leader in the field of creative sustainable development.
CNT is an “innovations center for urban sustainability.” We approach our work by participating in three primary activities:
- Researching urban problems to build knowledge through tools and activities that change how residents, policymakers, and market actors respond to issues such as efficient use of resources, strategies for reducing pollution, or ways to improve public transportation. Our studies are readily available for use by residents, policymakers, students, and other researchers.
- Building coalitions to advocate for public policies that can help address urban sustainability issues.
- Designing, developing, and operating economic development demonstration projects to address urban sustainability in innovative ways.
Our Ventures
CNT launched two non-profits that advance our mission:
- CNT Energy, an organization that develops and implements initiatives to help consumers and communities control energy costs and reduce energy use.
- I-GO℠, a membership-based car sharing organization that provides hourly rental of a fleet of cars located across Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.
Our Urban Practice Consulting offers a unique menu of tools and strategies which can be applied individually or collectively to urban development and redevelopment issues.
Leading By Example
Our LEED-Platinum (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building demonstrates how we work—from innovation to implementation—within a framework that values places.
