Oregon

View of blurry speeding cars on freeway at sunset

National Mileage Fee Pilot Program Late to Launch

EV sales are increasing–good news for the environment but bad news for road funding, as they pay no fuel taxes. Fortunately, the bipartisan infrastructure law has $125 million earmarked to "demonstrate a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee."

June 29, 2023 - The Associated Press

Aerial view of Bend, Oregon with river and old mill district

Examining Oregon’s Unique Land Use Laws

Since the 1970s, the state has taken a comprehensive approach to development, regulating land use and urban growth at the state level.

June 13, 2023 - Bend Source

View of oceanfront homes in Malibu, California against golden afternoon sky

Report: West Coast Must Come to Terms With Managed Retreat

As sea levels rise, experts say coastal communities have to overcome their resistance to managed retreat and plan for relocation.

May 10, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Downtown Oklahoma City

Oklahoma Launches 'Pay-per-Mile' Pilot

Mileage fee programs go by different names. In the West, it's the road usage charge or RUC. Oklahoma adopted a simpler term. What most have in common, though, is the for-profit company helping to manage them.

May 8, 2023 - Cities Today

Close-up of Sunset Empire Transportation District bus in Astoria, Oregon

Oregon Transit District Suspends Service Indefinitely

Facing a budget deficit, the Sunset Empire Transportation District ended its services on Sunday, leaving transit-dependent riders with few options.

May 2, 2023 - Mass Transit

A hypothetical map of the state of Idaho, expanded by annexing a large portion fo Oregon. The map is emblazoned with the words “Greater Idaho.”

The Nation's Most Advanced Secessionist Movement

Legislation supporting the Greater Idaho Movement, which would annex over half of neighboring Oregon, has advanced in the Idaho legislature.

March 22, 2023 - FOX News

A toll payment facility in Florida.

Tolling All Lanes

Bay Area transportation planners are studying a radical idea to reduce traffic congestion and fund driving alternatives: tolling all lanes on a freeway. Even more radical, the plan considers tolling parallel roads.

March 21, 2023 - San Francisco Chronicle

Children biking to school

Oregon Could Let Schools Fund ‘Bike Buses,’ Transit

A proposed bill would pave the way for school districts to use their transportation budgets to support chaperones for biking or walking, public transit passes, or other modes.

March 7, 2023 - Oregon Live

Portland Interchange

Oregon Toll Road Proposals Raise Cost, Equity Concerns

The state’s plan to implement tolls to reduce congestion and promote alternate transportation modes is facing some backlash as critics argue the revenue shouldn’t fund road expansion projects.

February 15, 2023 - Oregon Live

Aerial view of Bend, Oregon with river and old mill district

Bend Eliminates Parking Minimums

The city is complying with an Oregon state mandate that some cities have challenged in court.

January 20, 2023 - KTVZ

A sign reads “Sorry No Gas Today”.

Oregon to End Sales of Gas-Powered Vehicles by 2035

There must be something about having a coast on the Pacific Ocean that makes states set policies to accelerate the end of the internal combustion engine.

December 23, 2022 - The Oregonian

25mph speed limit sign against blue sky with white clouds

Oregon Cities Could Gain Control Over Speed Limits

A new law would allow cities to lower speed limits without going through an onerous state approval process.

December 22, 2022 - Streetsblog USA

Cyclist on bike path in Portland, Oregon with bridge over river and city skyline in background.

Oregon Could Launch E-Bike Rebate Program

If approved by the state legislature, a $6 million program would help fund the purchase of e-bikes, helmets, and other accessories.

December 9, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

Portland, Oregon street

Portland Moves Forward With Contentious Homelessness Strategy

The city’s plan to reduce the number of unhoused people has met with criticism, particularly for a proposal to ban encampment on public property citywide.

December 7, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

Portland

Op-Ed: Housing Solution Lies Within Urban Growth Boundary

Undoing Oregon’s urban growth boundaries won’t solve the state’s housing crisis, an opinion piece argues. Smart growth lies within existing cities.

December 5, 2022 - The Oregonian

Urban separated bike lane with street trees on one side and cars parked on the other

How Urban Trees Save Lives

New research shows a strong connection between a healthy urban tree canopy and lowered mortality rates.

December 1, 2022 - Congress For New Urbanism

A small dam located in a rural location.

Largest Dam Removal in U.S. History Clears Final Regulatory Hurdle

Four dams are coming down along the Klamath River. The final decision to remove the dams is a milestone political and legal victory for indigenous tribes living in Southern Oregon and Northern California.

November 20, 2022 - High Country News

"No homeless sleeping" stenciled on grey dumpster in urban alley

‘Dignity Village’ Threatened by Anti-Camping Law

Portland’s ‘aggressive’ new camping ban could threaten the city’s most stable community of unhoused people, the two-decade old, self-governing Dignity Village.

November 18, 2022 - Next City

Tractor on Oregon farm

Electric Tractor Lending Library Provides Equipment to Northwest Farmers

Advocates for electrifying farm equipment are calling for more tax incentives and access to electric tractors and other machinery for U.S. farmers.

October 31, 2022 - The Daily Yonder

Coronavirus and Homelessness

Portland, Sacramento Propose Banning Camping Citywide

Both West Coast cities are preparing to criminalize sleeping on public streets, claiming new shelter beds will provide enough resources for their unhoused populations.

October 28, 2022 - Next City

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

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

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