Life Post-Measure 37: Beyond Land Use Planning

Measure 37 dramatically altered the planning and development landscape in Oregon. Now community-based environmental planning may be the only alternative for environmentalists.

1 minute read

March 8, 2006, 5:00 AM PST

By David Gest


"The pendulum has swung and it has swung hard, making planning and progressive environmental work difficult. But this is the political and cultural climate that Oregonians now have to work in, and it comes at a critical stage of growth for Portland and the state. It's time to get some new tools in the land-use toolbox that are more creative and effective for today's changing social and environmental climate."

"Rightly or wrongly, the Endangered Species Act was used as the means to protect old-growth forests, and the impact of that protection was strongly felt but limited to rural areas. This was followed by salmon listings under the act that, because of the nature of rivers and watersheds, affected every aspect of society and public and private property, including urban areas."

"Community-based environmental planning has shown promise as an inclusive, collaborative means to accomplish environmental goals."

Tuesday, March 7, 2006 in The Oregonian

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

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.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

Rendering of autonomous cargo train moving across bridge across river in wooded area between Texas and Mexico.

Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor

The project could remove tens of thousands of commercial trucks from roadways.

5 hours ago - FreightWaves

Rendering of white three-story single-stair building in Austin, Texas with staircase in the middle.

Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway

Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.

6 hours ago - Building Design & Construction

MARTA bus with Atlanta skyline in background

Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access

MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.

7 hours ago - Mass Transit