Portland the Weird

The Economist looks at Portland's "weirdness" with an arched eyebrow, and asks, is this the next great model for the American city?

1 minute read

April 18, 2010, 1:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur

Mayor Sam Adams "says Portland's success is 'totally replicable'. But much of it seems to be an unintended consequence of land-use policies dating back to 1973. Back then, Oregon adopted 'urban-growth boundaries' (UGBs) to preserve the farmlands that were then the mainstay of Oregon's economy. Over time the rationale for UGBs changed to "don't Californicate Oregon"-ie, don't become Los Angeles, a freeway sprawl with no centre. The result has been unusually compact living, which is in turn easily served by public transport."

FULL STORY: Portland and "elite cities"

Thursday, April 15, 2010 in The Economist

Environment Government / Politics California Portland

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

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