CNT delivers game-changing research, tools, and solutions to create sustainable + equitable communities.

Recent Work

Civic Innovation Hub

The Calumet Region is a region in which infrastructure solutions are planned and built with resident and community leadership. more »

Nature Near Transit

Equitable and Resilient Placekeeping with Nature-Based Solutions and Public Art more »

Transportation Equity Network

The Transportation Equity Network (TEN) is a coalition of community groups, equitable transportation advocates, civic organizations, and other... more »

Reflection: with Elevated Works, we’ve built more than buildings
July 15, 2025

With the release of our Elevated Works 2025 Impact Report Bridging Visions, Accelerating Impact I’ve been reflecting on lessons learned about the state of equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD) and technical assistance. When we started Elevated Works in 2023 shortly after the Connected Communities Act passed, it felt more like a movement moment than a program rollout to me. That vision came true as developers have built community cafés, affordable housing, arts spaces, and... Continue reading »

 

Featured Publication

Bridging Visions, Accelerating Impact: Elevated Works 2025 Impact Report

By CNT and Elevated Works
June 9, 2025

Bridging Visions, Accelerating Impact: Elevated Works ETOD Technical Assistance Program Impact, by CNT and Elevated Chicago, highlights new best practices for publicly funded community development in general and equitable transit-oriented development specifically. With case studies, a comprehensive project list and other features, this report highlights the impact of the City of Chicago’s Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Technical Assistance Program from 2023 to 2025. The City’s $1 million investment in the Elevated Works technical assistance program we coordinated ensured the success of 29 projects, representing $300 million invested in Chicago communities. All 29 projects made meaningful progress, with 7 reaching groundbreaking and 5 more celebrating grand openings. Beyond these individual project milestones, Bridging Visions, Accelerating Impact describes shared successes and challenges for the entire pipeline and describes how we've advocated for systems-level changes to reduce barriers for equitable transit-oriented development in Chicago moving forward. From 2023 to 2025, we partnered with Elevated Chicago , IFF , Metropolitan Planning Council , Rudd Resources...

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Chicago Mobility Collaborative meeting covers Better Streets for Buses, Divvy electrification and Cook County Safe Streets for All program

Streetsblog Chicago | July 2, 2025

photo of stairs down into the DePaul Center where June Chicago Mobility meeting took place

Last Thursday's Chicago Mobility Collaborative gathering, hosted by the Chicago Department of Transportation, focused on the topic "Investing in Major Capital Projects." These quarterly events replaced the sometimes-dramatic pre-COVID Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Council meetings. The current format allows City officials and representatives of other organizations to give presentations on walk/bike/transit issues and initiatives, followed by breakout sessions where attendees can provide input.

 

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