CNT is excited to release our Urban Opportunity Agenda today. This new framework for economic development turns the traditional job creation model on its head, generating economic growth from the ground up by systemically reducing the cost of living and doing business in a place. In communities across the country, high poverty rates, stagnant wages, and the rising cost of living are dragging down local economies. In contrast, new efficiencies and targeted investments can provide a win-win,... Read the rest of this entry »

As leaders from around the world converge for the Chicago Forum on Global Cities, it's worth asking about the very nature of “global cities.” Are they simply big, innovative, and connected business centers that generate wealth for a select few? Or are they world-leading places because they create economic opportunity for everyone?   The often-cited A.T. Kearney Global Cities Index doesn’t even factor income inequality into its formula. But Euromoniter International finds that the world'... Read the rest of this entry »

Environmentalism began when we were running from cities. We're learning that city sustainability is now key to a better environment, better communities and a better economy. Special thanks to the Nelson Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for inviting me to speak to a sold-out room for their Earth Day conference. We appreciated the opportunity to speak about the process of making cities resilient through economic development, building social capital, establishing clear... Read the rest of this entry »

CHICAGO – Even though gas prices are down, costs for transportation are still high. How much we spend is based on where we live, according to data gathered by the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) through the new version of its groundbreaking Housing and Transportation (H+T®) Affordability Index. The New York City region came in 1st, with the Chicago and Washington DC metro areas coming in at 2nd and 3rd respectively on the list for metropolitan areas of a million or... Read the rest of this entry »

The Center for Neighborhood Technology today launched its 4th Annual Urban Sustainability Apps Competition with presenting sponsorMicrosoft. The CNT Apps Competition begins with a series of town hall meetings in several Chicago neighborhoods to reach non-developers and identify issues facing communities, and continues with technical training throughout the spring, provided by Microsoft. The competition culminates in a weekend event at Tech Nexus June 5-7, where teams create app... Read the rest of this entry »