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 »

Elevated Works ETOD technical assistance

Community-based organizations have the vision and local knowledge of what their neighborhoods need. Policy and planning organizations bring expertise... more »

DAC Mapping Tool

The DAC Mapping Tool highlights state-defined disadvantaged communities (DACs) under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program in six... more »

Truck Portal 2.0: New counts, new neighborhoods, same news

Last year we made news by simply counting the number of trucks and buses that go through our neighborhoods. We’ve continued counting and we’re working now to use truck count data to model diesel exhaust pollution. We’re also continuing to share the data in community and to make the data more accessible to all.  In a sense, these data are nothing new: they merely validate the lived experience of people in hyper-industrialized communities across the city. But the need to... 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

 

Chicken soup for the CTA rider’s soul: While the transit agency is standing on the verge of a budget crisis, positive vibes at town hall

Streetsblog Chicago | September 23, 2025

A Black woman in a blue suit holds a mic for a man in a red t shirt at hearing on public transit fiscal cliff

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CNT is engaged by governments, advocates, policy makers, and community groups to apply our expertise to solving problems.

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Transit-Oriented Development show all (15)

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Housing + Transportation Affordabilityshow all (29)

Parkingshow all (4)

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