Oregon
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.
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.
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.
Funding for Electric Vehicle Rebates Approved in California
On the final day of the legislative session, the California Legislature approved a budget bill that directs $1.5 billion in carbon auction revenues. A prior post described a bill that would have quadrupled state EV rebates: but it died.
National or Regional? Finding American Identity in Architecture
In an extended discussion, Keith Eggener examines what it means for a work of architecture to be "naturally" American, and why looking at modern American styles through an intensively regional lens may be unhelpful.
Op-Ed: What Oregon's DOT Gets Wrong on Roadway Safety
Faced with an uptick in roadway fatalities, Oregon is looking at how to increase safety. But it's concentrating on highways while arterials actually account for the region's most severe crashes.
Columbia River Gorge Resilient After the 30,000-acre Eagle Creek Fire
Good fire news from Oregon offers some relief from several weeks of scary environmental news from around the country.
Oregon Launches EV Rebates Funded by Auto Sales Tax
Oregon is one of five states that has no sales tax, but that will change on January 1, with Gov. Kate Brown's signature on a landmark transportation funding bill that applies a half-cent sales tax to auto sales and increases gas taxes by 10 cents.
Permeable Parking Surfaces and Parking Minimums
Rather than trying to make parking lots with expensive surfaces that cost to maintain, Portland should eliminate its parking minimums, according to this article.
Portland Adds a New Nine-Mile Bikeway
The 20s Bikeway offers bike riders a new way to travel north and south through the city of Portland.
Time Is Money for Housing Developments (and Residents)
While strict, suburban-style regulations often get a bad rap for the lack of housing in high demand cities, the red tape and other obstacles that delay development could be the worst culprit.
Transit Riders in Portland Can Pay Their Fare With Their Smartphones
Introducing the Hop Fastpass system.
Lessons in Freeway Widening
The lesson is simple: don't widen freeways if you want to reduce congestion and auto-dependence.
How Not to Do a Pedestrian Safety PSA
For your consideration.
The Incredible Story of Frances Gabe and Her Self-Cleaning Home
The New York Times pays tribute to an American inventor, builder, and feminist who, more than anything, hated housework.
A Unique Response to Transit Service Interruptions: Free Fares
Portland's TriMet is dealing with technical problems arising from a failed maintenance project and a record-breaking heat wave.
Portland Hoping for $1.3 Billion Renovation of its Airport
The Portland International Airport is getting its first major upgrade since 1956. Airlines would have to split the bill.
Portland's 'Adaptive Biketown' Sets a New Standard for Access to Mobility
The Adaptive Biketown system hit the streets in Portland on July 21, 2017.
Oregon Bike Tax Attracts Interest of Influential Colorado State Senator
The Colorado legislature has been unable to agree on a transportation funding package, but the recent bill passed by Oregon has prompted one influential Republican senator to suggest that the state tax bicycle sales.
Trump Budget Would Nix Tsunami Warning System
The difference in lives saved between tsunamis that hit Crescent City, California in 1964 and 2011 was an early detection and warning system. Now it's up to Congress to save the $12 million system from the proposed cuts in Trump's budget.
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
