#116 Center for Neighborhood Technology: Planning with People and Purpose

In this episode, Nina Idemudia, Chief Executive Officer at the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), shares her powerful journey from Detroit to leading one of the US’s most community-focused, data-driven organisations. She discusses equitable urban planning, transportation justice, housing resilience, and how lived experience shapes effective policy. The episode also explores how CNT is responding to federal funding challenges while staying committed to people-powered change.

Episode Overview:

[00:01:12] Teaser Question:“If you had to describe Chicago’s neighborhoods and infrastructure with three emojis, what would they be?”

 

[00:03:39] Our guest’s background: Nina Idemudia shares her personal story, starting from growing up in Detroit, her family background, and how her life experiences shaped her understanding of community and justice.

 

[00:11:34] Academic and professional journey: Nina discusses her education in African American and Women’s Studies, her shift into urban planning at USC, and the creation of community youth programmes that launched her public sector career.

 

[00:20:28] Work in city planning and equity-focused initiatives: Her roles in Los Angeles and Chicago city planning, including work on transportation policy, the 2028 Olympics, and equity in grantmaking.

 

[00:32:04] Introduction to CNT and federal funding challenges: Nina explains CNT’s mission, recent challenges due to federal funding freezes, and the impact on programmes like the Reconnecting Communities Institute and STELLA.

 

[00:41:23] Chicago Truck Count Data Portal: An example of an environmental justice project driven by community input and real-time data collection.

 

[00:44:27] Evanston Green Homes project: A pilot addressing sustainable, affordable housing through retrofitting, with wider implications for housing equity and climate resilience.

 

[00:49:14] Leadership and advice: Nina shares the best and worst advice she’s received as a leader and reflects on leading with integrity, identity, and a clear sense of purpose.

 

[00:55:56] Podcast Segment: “Roll with the Punches” – a rapid-fire this-or-that game that touches on Nina’s urban planning preferences and pizza loyalties.

 

[00:58:24] Ending Question:“To you, what is a Smart City?” Nina defines a smart city as one that enables everyone—regardless of zip code—to thrive in place, with an emphasis on care for vulnerable populations and the ability to adapt to change.

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