Together, we're advancing ETOD
Elevated Chicago is a multi-sector collaborative that promotes more equitable development of public spaces, buildings and vacant land around Chicago’s public transit infrastructure. We focus our work on people – especially Black, Brown and indigenous residents, on places affected by displacement and other forms of iniquity in the built environment, and on processes that can repair harms, shift power, spark development, and engage communities.
Elevated Chicago Arts & Culture Strategy
The Arts & Culture Strategy is a bold initiative designed to protect, preserve, and perpetuate community cultures as a fundamental part of equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD) and community growth in Chicago. By embedding arts and culture into urban development, we aim to amplify community power, prevent displacement, and redefine the role of culture within ETOD—ensuring a more equitable, thriving, and inclusive Chicago.
What does ETOD look like?
- ⁘ Affordable homes
- ⁘ Urban agriculture
- ⁘ Activated vacant lots
- ⁘ Green infrastructure
- ⁘ Walkable station areas
- ⁘ Urban agriculture
- ⁘ Community centers
- ⁘ And more!
- ⁘ Business incubators
- ⁘ Grocery stores
- ⁘ Community centers
- ⁘ Murals and sculptures
- ⁘ Small locally-owned businesses
- ⁘ Health clinics
Our 2025-2027 Work Plan
Learn how we’re approaching our work to advance more connected, walkable, equitable communities through ETOD in Chicago in our new 2025-2027 Work Plan.
People
We support neighborhood residents, especially Black, Brown, and Indigenous residents, business owners, aspiring developers, and artists, who live and work within the half-mile radius of transit hubs. By amplifying resident power and fostering community culture, we aim to strengthen local engagement and leadership.
Place
We transform the built environment around public transit hubs to address inequities in disinvested and gentrifying neighborhoods. By investing in vibrant, healthy, and climate-resilient spaces, we aim to improve the quality of life for all residents.
Process
We push public, private, and civic organizations to create transparent and inclusive processes that ensure accountability and maximize community impact.
Introducing our In.Field Kit
We are excited to announce the release of our In.Field Kit, a community engagement toolkit developed in partnership with Duo Development. We built this kit as just that for people just like you: a step-by-step guide for how to execute deeper, more meaningful community engagement by incorporating Elevated Chicago’s eight Community Engagement principles into your engagement process. It’s a roadmap for how to plan with communities instead of for them.
The In.Field Kit is available online now for purchase, with options for purchasing workshop tutorials on how to use the kit as well as discounted pricing for certain community organizations. To order kits or learn more about how your organization can incorporate it into your work, visit www.infieldkits.com
