When we moved the Post Carbon Cities office to downtown Portland I was thrilled to get a bird's-eye view of the downtown streetcar, the first new streetcar line built in the US since World War II. This morning I got a new history-making treat out my window: four wind turbines mounted yesterday on a new high-rise, among the first such urban wind projects in the country.
Portland
From Policy to Implementation, CNU Transportation Summit Examines "The Greatest Place"
Mike Lydon reports from the CNU Transportation Summit in Portland, Oregon, the country's laboratory of smart growth. "Change is imminent," says Congressman Earl Blumenauer via video.
On Remaking Shrinking Cities
This week's Smart City features discussions with Harvard economist Ed Glaeser about shrinking cities, and with urban design critic Randy Gragg about interactive art and urban design projects.
Smart City
Creating an Inclusive Cycling Community
Community Cycling Center is working to close the racial gap in Portland's cycling community.
BikePortland.org
Beloved and Abandoned: A Platting Named Portland
For American planners, Portland, OR is held up as a shining example of urban planning, and credit is given to its compact grid. But is Portland's grid worthy of adulation? Perhaps not, say Fanis Grammenos and Douglas Pollard of Urban Pattern Associates.
Halfway Towards Ending Homelessness in Portland
Portland, Oregon is half-way through its ten-year plan to address homelessness. The city's seen improvements, but many challenges lie ahead, according to this report.
Oregon Public Broadcasting
Public Art Flourishing in Northwest
New public art projects are popping up across the Pacific Northwest. Some of Seattle’s traffic signal boxes are getting a makeover, as artists add decorative touches to them.
Northwest Hub
The Model Stormwater City
Portland is well-known for many things in the urban planning community. Now, it's being recognized as a leader in stormwater management.
The Oregonian
The Planetizen News Brief - 9/17/09
4:15 minutes (3.9 MB)
Towns join forces to fight the recession, Portland opens a new light rail line, and a new study reveals surprising results about bike lane safety -- all on this week's Planetizen News Brief, airing weekly on the nationally-syndicated radio show "Smart City". Read, listen or download.
New Light Rail Line Ushers Age of Rail Growth in Portland
A new line of Portland's MAX light rail system has opened, prefacing the coming decades of rail growth in the region.
The Oregonian
Street Greening Upsets Some Portland Businesses
A new street greening project in North Portland that seeks to reduce stormwater runoff is fueling a debate between the area's young, eco-conscious businesses owners and older owners who are worried about interruption from the project.
The Oregonian
To Share or Not to Share? The Great Transit Data Debate
Some transit agencies keep it under wraps, while others share it widely. Three cities in the U.S. show how the availability of transit arrival data is a wild frontier.
CNET
Creating 'Eco-Districts'
Green buildings are great, but don't do too much if they're located in grossly un-green places. The city of Portland is trying to address the issue by creating "eco-districts".
Governing
Popular Cycling Cities See Pedal Prices Rise
A Freakonomics blogger has trouble finding an affordable bike in Portland, and looks into the reasons why.
The New York Times: Freakonomics Blog
First Small-Scale Urban Wind Turbines Rising
Developers in Portland has begun installation of a set of wind turbines atop a new tower in downtown Portland.
Portland Business Journal
Another bold move in Portland
Fri, 08/14/2009 - 18:58
Portland's Fareless Square to Start Charging
The largest free mass transit area in the U.S. is changing its rules next year, when it will start charging people to ride the bus.
The Oregonian
Portland: A Rose By Any Other Name
Tue, 08/11/2009 - 22:37
Every real estate developer and urban planner knows that Portland, Oregon rocks.
It is probably our best civic example in the United States of defining a comprehensive growth strategy for its citizens and staying true to the vision. The result is an authentic, creative, smart, home grown, artsy, sustainable, eco-friendly, colorful, self sufficient, vibrant, athletic, outdoorsy, walking, biking, multi-generational and experimental lifestyle downtown community where buildings, transit, waterfront festivals, park blocks, fountains, theaters, bookstores, galleries, music, crafts, food, wine, beer, coffee and people all blend together perfectly. It really works here. But one thing was never done properly and needs to be changed to capture this spirit – the name of the city.
Finding a Middle Ground Between Rural and Urban
A new city being planned on 77 acres of agricultural land in Oregon has prompted some to question the hard difference between urban and rural as compartmentalized by the Portland area's urban growth boundary.
The Oregonian
New Portland Bridge Seeks to Ease Pedestrian and Cyclist Tensions
A new light rail bridge spanning the Willamette River in Portland will include separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists -- and no lanes for automobiles. But biker and pedestrian congestion remains a concern.
The Oregonian
Why Portland is Better than Vancouver
Typically at the top of "best cities" lists, Vancouver and Portland are highly coveted places. This piece looks at why Portland is really number one.
The Tyee
