Oregon

Sustainable and Obtainable

A new sustainable housing development breaking ground in Oregon has put affordability on the same pedestal as sustainability.

July 21, 2010 - The Oregonian

The Hidden Roadblock for Sustainability

According to Portland, Oregon Mayor Sam Adams, that roadblock is the lack of financing for clean technology upgrades for buildings. Fast Company talks to Adams about his goal to make Portland the most sustainable city in the world.

June 18, 2010 - Fast Company

Six States' Attempts To Increase Fuel Taxes

A new 21-page report evaluates the efforts of ID, NH, MA, MN, OR, and VT to raise state fuel taxes from 2006-2009. Why did only two succeed? This analysis looks only at how the debates were played out in print media in each of the states.

June 7, 2010 - University of Vermont Transportation Research Center

Green Urbanism's Affordability Problem

Nature writer David Oates embeds himself in green, urban Portland and finds much to like about the green city movement but also much room for improvement.

June 5, 2010 - Orion

How Portland Sold Its Banks on Walkable Development

Finding financing is one of the biggest challenges for transit-oriented development. How did Portland convince its lenders to get on board?

May 25, 2010 - Streetsblog

Who You Gonna Call? City Repair!

In this interview with the City Repair Project co-founder Mark Lakeman, Yes! Magazine writer Brooke Jarvis learns how residents can fix their neighborhoods by creating public space where it never existed before. [Includes photo essay].

May 12, 2010 - Yes! Magazine

Portland's Empty Urban Renewal Area

Tax breaks and incentives helped spur a rash of development in Portland's South Waterfront district. But the development has struggled to lure residents.

May 1, 2010 - The Portland Mercury

From Bedroom Communities to Jet Engine Communities

More and more people working in the San Francisco Bay Area are opting for cheaper housing outside the region. Some are going way outside the region, commuting by airplane from Portland or Seattle.

April 22, 2010 - The Wall Street Journal

Portland Demoted to America's Second Most Bike-Friendly City

The city of Portland is in a state of shock after being de-throned as America's most bike-friendly city.

April 8, 2010 - The Oregonian

AARP Asks: Is A Streetcar Coming To Your City?

AARP takes a comprehensive looks at streetcars, exploring their past demise, comeback, and now spreading to as many as 40 cities. Special attention is given to the Portland Streetcar and how the streetcar enables better mobility for seniors.

April 6, 2010 - AARP Bulletin Today

Portland A Hotspot for 'Stormwater Tourism'

Portland's "Green Streets" program is becoming a new tourist attraction in the city, which officials from other cities are visiting to learn from the Pacific Northwest's model water treatment infrastructure.

March 30, 2010 - USA Today

Fast Lanes for Pedestrians?

The sidewalks of Portland are so busy that the city is developing plans to create 6'-8' Pedestrian Zones—basically, fast lanes for moving pedestrians separate from other street activities.

March 27, 2010 - Vimeo

Portland's New Complex Aims At Curing Homelessness

The city of Portland is moving ahead with a $47 million shelter and services project known as the Resource Access Center. It's the largest efforts underway to solve the city's notorious homelessness problem.

March 25, 2010 - The New York Times

Regional Land Use Plan Approved in Metro Portland

Much of the land use plan is focused on what will not be used -- areas set aside as urban preserves.

February 28, 2010 - The Oregonian

Portland Approves $613 Million Bike Plan

The Portland City Council unanimously approved a $613 million, 20 year plan to improve the city's bike infrastructure.

February 12, 2010 - Portland Business Journal

HUD Hearts Portland

Obama's brand new Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities admits to being inspired by Portland's groundbreaking urban planning policies.

February 7, 2010 - The Oregonian

Portland's Pricey Bike Plan

The City of Portland is considering its 2030 Bike Plan today. Some question whether the $613 million price tag is worthwhile.

February 4, 2010 - The Oregonian

Government Plans Vertical Garden on Portland Skyscraper

As part of a $133 million renovation of a federal building in Portland, the Government Services Administration plans to add 200-foot high "vegetated fins" that will carpet the building with plants and - hopefully - energy savings.

February 1, 2010 - New York Times

The 250-Foot Vertical Garden

Designers in Portland, Oregon are preparing to unveil a vertical garden on a federal building that would climb 250 feet up the side of the building.

January 27, 2010 - MSNBC

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.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.