Another Tale Of Two Cities

Portland, Oregon was once the Mecca of American urban planning. Now it is called the Little Beirut and people are fleeing the state.

1 minute read

April 28, 2003, 12:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..." So begins Charles Dickens epoch tale of two great rival European cities. Fast-forward two centuries later. Two American cities, that straddle the mighty Columbia River, find they are now rivals. To the south is Portland, Oregon and to the north is Vancouver, Washington. They are cities divided by good decisions and bad decisions made in the name of urban planning. One city thrives and the other one is almost bankrupt. And people are fleeing from one city to live in the other.

Thanks to Richard Carson

FULL STORY: Another Tale of Two Cities

Sunday, April 27, 2003 in Plan Net Architecture Online

Land Use Oregon

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Learn More

Advertise with us

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.