Is Joel Kotkin Flip-Flopping On Portland Criticism?

Joseph Cortright offers a rebuttal to Joel Kotkin's criticism of Portland as an 'Ephemeral City'.

1 minute read

December 14, 2005, 9:00 AM PST

"When you read Kotkin's concept of the Ephemeral City, ask yourself which Joel Kotkin you should believe: the one who wrote this piece for The Oregonian, or the one who wrote pretty much the opposite in a report for St. Louis last year and in his 2000 book, "The New Geography: How the Digital Revolution is Reshaping the American Landscape."

...There's a difference between the deft turn of a phrase and thoughtful scholarship. How can Kotkin come down with such assured conviction on both sides of these questions? Maybe he's just confused."

Thanks to Sheila Edmundson Redick

FULL STORY: Which Joel Kotkin to believe: the scoffer or the booster?

Wednesday, December 14, 2005 in The Oregonian

Land Use Oregon

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.