Regional Existing Conditions Analysis for Century Plan
We brought complex regional trends to life through data visualizations and narratives informing two major long-range planning efforts.
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
Economic Development Strategies / Plans, Fiscal and Economic Impact Analysis, Market Analysis
Chicago Region, IL
CMAP engaged SB Friedman to synthesize key regional trend data across its seven-county service area, spanning multiple scales from the region overall to the Census block group and parcel level. The work is informing both the Century Plan and Regional Transportation Plan, providing planners and stakeholders with a clear, accessible picture of the region's evolving conditions.
Work Completed
Analyzed population shifts by race/ethnicity and age, household composition, income disparities, and migration patterns
Examined regional economic factors including employment shifts in key industry clusters, job locations, quality, and access
Assessed land use trends including changes in the region's urbanized envelope, recent housing growth by type, and transit-supportive residential zoning
Analyzed property and sales tax revenue by municipality
Results
Our visualizations and narratives were incorporated into the existing conditions component of the Regional Transportation Plan and were featured at the State of the Region event in November 2025. They are being used to communicate key issues in stakeholder meetings across the region and will inform development of the Century Plan in 2026. Building on this work, our team was re-engaged to develop methodologies for categorizing activity centers — work that will underpin a land use framework to guide future planning and policy across the region.
