Oregon

Speed Limit

Portland Lowers Most of its Speed Limits to 20 mph

Portland has implemented one of the most sweeping commitments to traffic safety of any city in the United States: 20 mph speed limits over the vast majority of the city's streets.

January 19, 2018 - Streetsblog USA

Mt. Hood and Traffic

The Slow Transition from Gas Taxes to Mileage Fees

Oregon was the first to conduct a pilot program in 2006, followed by California and Colorado last year. With financial backing from the U.S. DOT, at least four more states are exploring charging by the mile driven rather than the fuel burned.

January 17, 2018 - Governing

State capital building

Oregon Proposed 'Cap and Invest' Bill, Explained

Oregon legislators are hard at work on two new "cap and invest" bills that would establish a "market-based, carrot-and-stick approach to reducing greenhouse gas pollution."

January 14, 2018 - The Oregonian

Oil Rig

Despite Bipartisan Opposition, Trump Administration Opens Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling

In a major blow to former President Obama's restrictions on offshore drilling in sensitive areas, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced that he would open the Outer Continental Shelf in four regions: Pacific, Arctic, Atlantic, and the Gulf Coast.

January 8, 2018 - The Washington Post

Vancouver transit

Cross-Border High-Speed Rail Studied for the Pacific Northwest

The state of Washington has taken a first, serious look at a high-speed rail project linking Vancouver in British Columbia to Seattle and Portland.

December 26, 2017 - Vancouver Sun

Tilikum Crossing

Portland Bike Lanes and the Danger of Half-Measures

Willamette's new bike lanes make for an important link in Portland's bike infrastructure, but building unprotected bike lanes on a high-speed street carries risk.

December 19, 2017 - Bike Portland

View of Portland, Oregon from Pittock Mansion

Portland: Homes for Everyone, or Not in My Neighborhood

Even progressive Portland wrestles with conservatism when it comes to housing in single-family neighborhoods

December 15, 2017 - The Oregonian

Washington Water Storage

House Bill Would Streamline Construction of New Dams and Reservoirs

House Republicans from Washington are hoping to cut red tape for the development of surface storage facilities as the American West grapples with intensifying droughts.

December 6, 2017 - Crosscut

Portland's Jade District Is a Planner's Nightmare (and Dream)

The Jade District on Portland's distant east side is a typical geography of wide streets and sprawl, but is also a relatively complete, self-contained community.

December 3, 2017 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

Bhaji Bazaar

'Community Supported Kitchen' Idea Seeking Support in Portland

A crowdfunding campaign recently launched to support a new kind of commissary kitchen in Portland.

November 23, 2017 - The Oregonian

Mt. Hood and Traffic

Oregon's New Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Litigated

The half-cent sales tax will fund new rebate programs for zero and near zero-emissions vehicles and multimodal transportation. Opponents claim the privilege tax, as it is called, violates the state constitution because revenues aren't used for roads.

November 20, 2017 - The Bulletin (Oregon)

Portland Pearl District Streetcar

Study: Economic Displacement Is Bad for Transit Ridership

A TriMet transit agency analysis has identified a culprit in the decline of transit ridership in Portland: gentrification and displacement.

November 16, 2017 - TransitCenter

Columbia River Gorge

White House Denies Funding to Replace Tribal Villages

The federal government appears to be reneging on yet another promise to Native American tribes.

November 6, 2017 - The Oregonian

Bike Infrastructure

The Business Case for Bike Lanes

Local businesses in Beaverton, Oregon hope new walking and biking infrastructure will attract young talent.

October 30, 2017 - Bike Portland

Food Delivery Robot

Small Oregon Town Welcomes Robotic Deliveries

The town of Philomath, Oregon has just approved the testing of robotic deliveries on public rights-of-way.

October 24, 2017 - Albany Democrat-Herald

Bay Bridge Toll

Analysis Debunks Equity Criticism of Congestion Pricing

Oregon's recently approved gas tax legislation also calls for tolling of I-205 and I-5 in the Portland metro area, with the application of value or congestion pricing so peak period tolls would be higher, which have raised equity concerns.

October 24, 2017 - City Observatory

Car2Go

Car2Go Says Goodbye Smart Car, Hello Mercedes

Car2Go is giving an upgrade to its car sharing service in Portland, OR by phasing out the tiny Smarts in favor of larger Mercedes-Benz luxury vehicles.

October 19, 2017 - OregonLive.com

Portland

Portland to Consider New Residential Infill Regulations

The city of Portland's new residential infill ordinance would reduce the number of 1:1 demolitions—which often convert older, affordable homes into expensive McMansions.

October 11, 2017 - Portland for Everyone

ADUs Are Having a Moment

Granny flats, mother-in-law units, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), or secondary units—whatever you call them, more and more cities, regions, and states are making it easier to deliver subtle density in the backyard.

October 11, 2017 - Public Square

Oregon

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.

September 26, 2017 - Josh Stephens

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.

Top Books

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.