"Portlandness: A Cultural Atlas" exemplifies the powers of maps to reshape and redefine our communities. Just watch how they can change expectations about the culture of the city infamously known as "Portlandia."
Steve Duin reports on a new book by Hunter Shobe, called Portlandness: A Cultural Atlas. The book is guided by the principle that "we have unique ways to illustrate the city's enduring and evolving space."
Among the maps included in the book: a map of all the surveillance cameras in the city, and "path of least surveillance" through them all. It also "maps ghost sightings, the most treacherous sidewalks in the Pearl, the city's original ethnic enclaves, the red-lining of Alberta, and the impact of surging property values along North Mississippi Avenue."
Also included in the book is a map created by a class of third graders from Jason Lee K-8. The class selected 82nd Avenue as the center of the city—an area that isn't really on the map for most Portlanders, but for these students, "it's an area rich in meaning," explains Shobe in the article. Shobe adds: "It forces us to re-imagine a place we think we know really well."
Read the full story: Steve Duin: The coolest maps of Portland you've ever seen
Mapping the Pacific Northwest's Changing Population
The Oregonian has published a new interactive mapping feature that allows users to map demographic changes to the Census tract level through Oregon and Washington.
How to Design a Better Bus Transit Map
Not all transit maps are created equal. The new Portland TriMet map, for instance, does a much better job of illustrating the usefulness of its high-frequency network.
In two U.S. cities, new technology is rewarding slower driving with a quicker commute
Albuquerque, New Mexico and Portland, Oregon have introduced traffic lights that are red by default, and turn green faster if drivers approach while going at or below the speed limit.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
Philadelphia to invest $2 billion into upgrading city airports as PHL places last in customer satisfaction
Modernizations to Philadelphia's airports will include baggage system upgrades and a new automated parking garage guidance system.
The LA housing policies making developers turn away from the city
Despite LA’s housing shortage, developers say the city’s "mansion-tax" and pandemic-era policies make it an unappealing place to build housing.
New density bill would require 7 California cities to establish regional transit hubs
The bill would also require major cities in California to permit high-rise residential buildings.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello