Portland Suburbs May Increase Density To Handle Growth
The Portland area's population is expected to gain more than a million people by 2030, and the suburbs ringing the city are looking to handle the growth by increasing density, building higher, and developing more vibrant suburban town centers.
"Pressed by population growth, hemmed in by the urban growth boundary and tweaked by changing demographics, the suburbs ringing Portland are gearing up for denser development and eventually much taller buildings than they have now."
"Gresham, Hillsboro, Beaverton and Wilsonville are in various stages of constructing, planning or talking about taller buildings. Tigard, Tualatin and Lake Oswego may follow suit."
"The start is modest, with low- and mid-rise buildings first, mainly for housing."
"But planners and politicians envision a series of outer urbanized centers that mimic the Pearl or towering South Waterfront districts of Portland. The suburban town centers could become places where people live, work and shop -- and as a result reduce automobile commuting and lend stability by being active 18 hours a day."
"At least that's the theory. Whether it develops that way -- along with an anticipated 1 million more people by 2030 in metropolitan Portland -- is unclear."
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Outta my way!
Who are these high-falutin' planners to deny suburbanites their God-given right to build economies at their commercial centers on new and used car sales, Walmart supercenters, big box retail and drive-thru's? This is America! USA! USA! Chevrolet! Get outta my way!
The last line of this article sums up a healthy attitude...
It seems too many people get into an all-or-nothing mode when talking about density. I like this quote...
(Joel) Garreau, the author, wryly added: "I've always been grateful that Portland exists in same way I'm grateful that Las Vegas exists: They're both at the end of bell curve distribution -- at opposite ends -- of what our urban futures will be like."
Most places will experiment with a healthy balance of sprawl and densification.