Community conversations about ETOD
Equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD) centers the local community in urban planning decisions. With funding from the MetLife Foundation, Elevated Chicago was able to hold 4 community conversations about ETOD with residents and developers. Here’s what they had to say about the built environment in their neighborhood.
Table of contents
Engaging residents in urban development
Urban planning is most successful when the local community leads development decisions. The alternative – a built environment that is not constructed for the community that already lives there – can exacerbate issues of gentrification, displacement, and disinvestment, as seen on Chicago’s South and West Sides.
Equitable transit-oriented development intentionally centers resident voices in the development conversation to lead to better outcomes for neighborhoods.
Community conversations are one way to make sure the public is aware of potential changes in their neighborhoods and to allow residents to weigh in with their hopes for their community. These conversations can also connect developers with policymakers and technical assistance providers and educate City officials on the long-term impact of policy decisions.
ETOD community conversation topics
With funding from the MetLife Foundation ACE Innovation Fund, Elevated Chicago was able to lead four ETOD community conversations in 2024. The goal of these discussions was to explore ETOD as a more equitable approach to urban development, hear from those most affected by and involved in development decisions, and gain new insights on the effects of urban planning policy from everyday Chicagoans.
Community conversation schedule:
- June 27, 2024: “Lead With Hope” Youth Action Summit hosted by Hope Chicago
- August 8, 2024: Rosenwald Courts community conversation
- August 10, 2024: Starling hard hat tour led by Duo Development
- Late September 2024: ETOD tour of South Side
- Fifth ETOD conversation: TBD
#1: “Lead With Hope” Youth Action Summit
- Date: June 27, 2024
- Topic: Public Transit Equity: Access, Amenities and Safety
- Attendees: Youth interested in local policy
As part of the youth policy summit hosted by Hope Chicago, this group explored challenges and approaches to improving how Chicago public transit system is used to create more equitable communities that serve residents and workers with housing, services, culture and more. Issues discussed included walkability, safety, commutes, community organizing, advocacy, and generational habits and attitudes toward transit.
Participants developed policy ideas that addressed the question, “How can the government use public transit as a lever for designing welcoming communities that don’t displace residents and support the city’s growth and environmental goals?”
#2: Rosenwald Courts community conversations
- Date: August 8, 2024
- Topic: Living car-less in Chicago
- Attendees: Residents and employees in the historic Rosenwald Courts building in Bronzeville; mix of all ages, including seniors
#3: Starling hard hat tour
- Date: August 10, 2024
- Topic: ETOD from the developer’s perspective, community engagement
- Attendees: Local developers
A small group of developers, including previous Equitable Development Ambassadors, gathered together to see Starling, an upcoming ETOD in North Lawndale. Duo Development walked attendees throughout the space and spoke about the inspiration for the building’s concept as a space to bring the community together and “be.” They also detailed the the rationale behind some of the construction decisions, such as the two accessible entrances, large skylight, coffee bar, and studio space for music creation.
They shared that the community engagement and research process relied heavily upon speaking with residents about the desired amenities in their neighborhood. Duo also walked attendees through the process for partnering with the 10 organizations that will be rotating their time in the space and their plans for the programming to be offered.
The business model for the Starling ETOD will involve sharing profits back with the community members who use the space most. Duo eventually hopes North Lawndale will see multiple ETODs built, to bring long-lasting value to the area.
#4: South Side ETOD Tour
- Date: Late September 2024
- Topic: Current state of ETOD on the South Side, what equitable TOD looks like, Elevated Works technical assistance
- Attendees: Invited guests
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