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

Recent Work

Civic Innovation Hub Phase 2: Community Based Participatory Research

Residents used community-based participatory research to frame questions and plan local improvements more »

Transportation Equity Network

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

Nature Near Transit

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

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

Director, Urban Analytics Emily LaFlamme shares a personal essay on our equitable transit-oriented development work: 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... 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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Publication Library

 

Cutting parking for homes built near transit aims to ease housing crunch

Chicago Sun-Times | August 15, 2025

Emily Laflamme in CNT conference room (with shelf of awards)

A recently passed city ordinance that eliminates some parking minimums could lead to lower building costs, more housing and lower rents, experts say.

 

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Transit-Oriented Development show all (15)

Cargo-Oriented Developmentshow all (4)

Transportationshow all (11)

Housing + Transportation Affordabilityshow all (29)

Parkingshow all (4)

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