Brian Libby reports from Willamette Falls in Oregon City, Oregon, where plans for the Willamette Falls Riverwalk are taking shape.
"Willamette Falls is the second largest waterfall by volume in the United States, after Niagara, and the largest in the waterfall-heavy Pacific Northwest," writes Libby. But, "[f]or more than a century, Willamette Falls has been all but hidden from public view because both sides of the river have been dominated by heavy industry."
Libby provides details of Oregon City's distant and more recent history, including the 2011 launch of the Willamette Falls Legacy Project. The project recently made a major announcement, unveiling a multi-phase river-walk plan. "Helming the design team is Snøhetta, the firm behind landmarks like the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion, the Oslo Opera House, and the expansion of SFMoMA," writes Libby.
The article includes spectacular renderings released with the plan, and more details on what it will take to make these ambitious dreams for this singular confluence of nature, industry, and adaptive reuse a reality.
FULL STORY: Oregon's Niagara Falls, Revealed
Whitewater Park Proposal Fails for Oregon City's Willamette Falls Project
There's still a lot to be excited about for the Willamette Falls Legacy Project in Oregon City. A whitewater park just isn't one of them.
Willamette Falls Access Approved as Part of Redevelopment Plan
The first U.S. incorporated west of the Rockies—Oregon City—is moving forward with a redevelopment plan that will provide public access to the stunning Willamette Falls.
Can Access to Willamette Falls Spur Urban Renewal?
State and local officials in Oregon have launched a planning process to develop a public access esplanade to Willamette Falls in Oregon City. City planners could center urban renewal plans around what is expected to be a popular tourist destination.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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.
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.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)