Portland's 'Community-Led Urbanism' Tackles Displacement and Sustainability

A grassroots plan seeks to cultivate a sustainable, affordable center of Black culture in the neighborhood of Albina.

1 minute read

July 12, 2018, 8:00 AM PDT

By Elana Eden


Keep Portland Weird

Tony Webster / Flickr

As the city of Portland launches new housing and investment programs, a coalition of community organizers, urban planners, and design professionals has proposed its own vision for inclusive economic development in the Albina neighborhood. The Right 2 Root plan fuses housing affordability, environmental sustainability, and the preservation of Black history and culture, Patrick Sisson reports in Curbed, calling the initiative "a framework for community-led urbanism."

The proposal would establish an ecodistrict—the city's sixth—where new community assets would foster health and wellness. It calls for walkable corridors connecting needed facilities like a food market, a community education center, and a daycare. "Other ideas include tiny home communities built around a shared garden plot, and the introduction of small accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to provide extra space for larger families and multigenerational living," Sisson writes.

Over the decades, planning policy has driven out Albina's historically Black population through a variety of means, Sisson explains. The neighborhood was targeted for urban renewal in the post-war era, paving the way for redevelopment at the end of the century. Today, revitalization programs are raising housing costs and fueling displacement.

Later this year, the collective plans to release a blueprint aimed at connecting Albina with its displaced Black residents throughout Portland.

Tuesday, June 26, 2018 in Curbed

portrait of professional woman

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

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

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.