Portland
The Growing Attraction of Historic Streetcars
As cities across the country build and revive their streetcar networks, a sense of nostalgia for the time when they could be found in cities across the country is leading to a thriving business in refurbishing old streetcars.
Like It or Loathe It, a Postmodern Icon Remains Controversial After Thirty Years
Writing on the thirtieth anniversary of the completion of the Portland Building, design by Michael Graves, Reed Jackson reports on the passions that the building still stirs.
Celebrating Highway Removal Success Stories
In advance of Next American City’s upcoming "Reimagining Urban Highways" conference in Philadelphia, Matt Bevilacqua reports on a new study examining the successful replacement of urban highways with boulevards and parks.
The Hipster States of America
Writing from Austin, Texas, one of the current centers for hipster culture in the U.S., Lauren Modery proposes a list of the next cities she believes are ripe for an explosion of old-timey facial hair, geeky eyewear, and overall hipsterfication.
Choosing a Grid, or Not
With new research in hand, Fanis Grammenos revisits his analysis of the efficiency of the Simple Grid, and asks what, in fact, should be the preferred layout for a new neighbourhood.
Long Beach out to Prove that Bikes are Good for Business
Long Beach is leading California's bicycle revolution in many ways, perhaps most creatively in establishing bike-friendly shopping districts.
Highway Removals to Become More Difficult
Following highly publicized urban highway removal success stories like Boston's Big Dig and San Francisco's Embarcadero, Anthony Flint asks whether similar successes will be easy to duplicate.
Infill Development Becoming Mainstream
Renaissance Homes, a Portland builder, is attempting to revitalize its business by transitioning from suburban, large-scale development to multiple infill projects.
Bicycling Towards Recovery
Bike lanes and bike commuters are fueling a significant segment of the economy in Copenhagen. In Portland, a high amount of bike lanes could mean similar economic impacts.
Portland Approves Plan to Preserve Large Areas as Rural
Portland, Oregon is already known for having a strict policy regarding its urban growth boundary. A new 50-year plan designates large rural reserves, while also holding large areas as urban reserves for possible future development.
Modeling The Urban System of Portland
A new program is being implemented in Portland, Oregon, to try to quantify and model the behavior of the city.
America's Most Livable City Needs Improvement
Portland leads the nation is sustainability and in fact, may be responsible for starting this movement, but its economy remains mediocre and it is one of America's least diverse cities. Urbanophile's Aaron M. Renn explains why.
Bikes to Get Buck in New Portland Budget
Portland Mayor Sam Adams has pledged to increase the amount of money dedicated to bicycle planning and bicycle infrastructure from 4% to 17% in the city's next budget.
Whitest Downtown Gets Even Whiter
Portland, Oregon, famed in planning circles, has a diversity problem that is only getting worse. Downtown is getting whiter, while the demographics of the surrounding area get more diverse.
Portland Streetcar Extension Plans Prompt Questions
Officials in Portland are keen to expand the city's streetcar system with a proposed $458 million extension project. But some questions about the project remain unanswered.
An Imperfect Bike Mecca Offers Lessons
Portland, Oregon, is often held up as the nation's most bike-friendly city. But while its reputation is not unearned, it also has room for improvement.
Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet
Portland is known today as one of the nation's top bicycling cities, but it wasn't always thus. Mia Birk, the city's bicycle coordinator in the early 90s, explains how the city changed course to create an enviable bicycle infrastructure.
Bridge Plan Rejected in Favor of Cheaper Alternatives
Long-held plans for a new bridge over the Columbia River between Portland and Vancouver, Washington, have been thrown out by a panel of experts who have suggested cheaper alternatives.
Portland Questions More Food Chains in Maine
Two Virginia-based burger chains are interested in opening locations in Downtown Portland, but are facing opposition from city residents and officials.
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 Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
