Center for Neighborhood Technology

Description

We help make neighborhoods, cities, and regions work better. For everyone.

Founded in 1978, the Center for Neighborhood Technology is a leader in promoting more livable and sustainable urban communities. We research, invent, and test urban strategies that use resources more efficiently and more equitably.

Over the years, CNT’s work in climate, energy, water, transportation and community development has fueled 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. In 2009, we were honored with the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.

We approach our work by:

• 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. Ourstudies 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 nonprofits that advance our mission:

• Elevate Energy, an organization that develops and implements initiatives to help consumers and communities control energy costs and reduce energy use.
• Alternative Transportation for Chicagoland(formerly IGO CarSharing*), working to make it possible for the Chicago region’s residents to live well without having to own a vehicle, and to create an integrated, multimodal transportation system.