In built-out areas of Oregon, the only remaining developable land is on often located on contaminated brownfields, although in some cases the government has stepped in to provide funding for clean up.
"Portland's hot real estate market has devoured vacant property and inflated prices on the remaining scraps of land.
Now, pressure is on to reclaim former industrial sites where contamination has stalled development.
Several local governments are studying these abandoned properties -- known as brownfields -- and trying to help transform them into productive businesses. If they succeed, today's ghost of a gas station could become condominiums or a neighborhood pub."
"'If you're looking to do something really close in, these are the only sites left,' says Clark Henry, who promotes industrial redevelopment for the city of Portland. 'Some of it is just people coming down to reality. "This is what we have to do. We develop these, or we leave."'"
FULL STORY: The greening of brownfields

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.

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

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?

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

Making Mobility More Inclusive
A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.
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