Japanese cities and citizens look to Portland for inspiration.
While some in the States may see Portland as too hip for its own good, in Japan that hipness is celebrated. The Economist reports that Japan is home to festivals, bars, and blogs dedicated to all things from Portland (especially beer). Many American businesses looking to cash in on the cachet of the city have opened Japanese franchises.
City leaders have looked to Portland as well, "The mayors of several small Japanese cities, which face gradual extinction if young people cannot be persuaded to stay instead of moving to Tokyo or Osaka, have been visiting Portland in search of ideas."
It remains to be seen how many insights Portland can provide to struggling Japanese cities, some of which have been forced to try some unconventional strategies to cope with an aging population. According to the Economist "Japanese are interested in Portland not just because of its nifty gadgets or funky food, but because of its 'future vision'—a combination of individualism, enterprise and greenery."
FULL STORY: Bottling Hipness
Friday Funny: Portlandia Is Over
It's a sad day. Portlandia will no longer skewer the idiosyncrasies of enlightened urban lifestyles.
Planning Director Susan Anderson Separates Fact from Fiction in Portland(ia)
Planetizen's "Planners Across America" series continues in the city that put many contemporary best planning practices on the map: Portland, Oregon.
Biketown Lives
Despite public perception of its decline, Portland’s bike share system is alive and well.
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Research Shows More Roads = More Driving
A national study shows, once again, that increasing road supply induces additional vehicle travel, particularly over the long run.
EV Chargers Now Outnumber Gas Pumps by Nearly 50% in California
Fast chargers still lag behind amidst rapid growth.
Affordable Housing Renovations Halt Mid-Air Amidst DOGE Clawbacks
HUD may rescind over a billion dollars earmarked for green building upgrades.
Has Anyone at USDOT Read Donald Shoup?
USDOT employees, who are required to go back to the office, will receive free parking at the agency’s D.C. offices — flying in the face of a growing research body that calls for pricing parking at its real value.
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.
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Piedmont, CA
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland