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

Aerial view of Eugene, Oregon at dusk with mountains in background.

Eugene Ends Parking Minimums

In a move that complies with a state law aimed at reducing transportation emissions, Eugene amended its parking rules to eliminate minimum requirements and set maximum parking lot sizes.

December 3, 2023 - NBC 16

Green Paris Texas city limit sign with population.

How Paris, Texas Became a ‘Unicorn’ for Rural Transit

A robust coalition of advocates in the town of 25,000 brought together the funding and resources to launch a popular bus service that some residents see as a mobility lifeline—and a social club.

November 30, 2023 - Texas Monthly

Diagram of visibility at urban intersection.

How ‘Daylighting’ Intersections Can Save Lives

Eliminating visual obstructions can make intersections safer for all users.

November 27, 2023 - Strong Towns

View of wetlands with lilypads at dusk.

States Scramble in Wake of Clean Water Act Ruling

The removal of federal oversight of wetlands has left millions of acres unregulated and erected major hurdles for lawmakers seeking to protect them.

December 5 - Pew Stateline

Rendering of white, yellow, and purple Brightline West high-speed rail train speeding along highway median with blurred cars in foreground.

Brightline West Awarded $3 Billion in Federal Funding

The high-speed rail line will cut travel time between Southern California and Las Vegas roughly in half.

December 5 - Fox 5

Rapid bus at station at night in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

OKC Celebrates New Rapid Bus Line With Free Rides

The agency wants to showcase the benefits of a recently opened BRT line connecting the northwest part of the city to downtown.

December 5 - The Oklahoman

Senior Planner

City of Kissimmee - Development Services

Planner II

City of Kissimmee - Development Services

Senior Travel Demand Modeler

Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

"Rethinking Commuter Rail" podcast & Intercity Bus E-News

Chaddick Institute at DePaul University

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.