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• 1. [Article] Patterns of Time, Place, and Culture: Land Use Zoning in Portland, Oregon, 1918-1924

  Until recently, few have questioned the notion that the separation of uses in land use zoning is inherently correct. Many observers of the city are now suggesting that zoning, as it has been practiced ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Patterns of Time, Place, and Culture: Land Use Zoning in Portland, Oregon, 1918-1924 Author: Merrick, Meg Year: 1998 Until recently, few have questioned the notion that the separation of uses in land use zoning is inherently correct. Many observers of the city are now suggesting that zoning, as it has been practiced in this country over the last 80 years, has created cities that are fractured and function poorly. Others propose that zoning should be reconsidered as a remedy for urban dysfunction. They suggest that the whole notion of zoning be rethought. The purpose of this study is to uncover some of the underlying rationales and methodologies that set the model for zoning. This study examines the rationales behind the classification and location of land use zones in a fast-growing area of Portland, Oregon, for its first zoning ordinance through history, culture, and geography. Between 1919 and 1924, two ordinances were prepared using two very different methodologies. The first of these was designed by nationally known consultant, Charles H. Cheney, using the latest scientific methods. After its rejection in the polls, a second ordinance was developed by a prominent group of realtors in conjunction with the city planning commission using more intuitive methods. This “realtors’ code” (MacColl 1979) was approved by the Portland electorate in 1924. Some fifty years later, the Portland planning commission would identify zoning as having played a significant role in the deterioration of the Buckman neighborhood in the study area. The comparison of the rationales and methods behind the locations of zone boundaries in both ordinances against the locations of actual uses in the study area, reveals the powerful influences of social Darwinism, laissez-faire attitudes, and newly developing social science methods on the association of zoning with the separation of uses and the land use patterns that were created. Title: Patterns of Time, Place, and Culture: Land Use Zoning in Portland, Oregon, 1918-1924 Author: Merrick, Meg Year: 1998 Until recently, few have questioned the notion that the separation of uses in land use zoning is inherently correct. Many observers of the city are now suggesting that zoning, as it has been practiced in this country over the last 80 years, has created cities that are fractured and function poorly. Others propose that zoning should be reconsidered as a remedy for urban dysfunction. They suggest that the whole notion of zoning be rethought. The purpose of this study is to uncover some of the underlying rationales and methodologies that set the model for zoning. This study examines the rationales behind the classification and location of land use zones in a fast-growing area of Portland, Oregon, for its first zoning ordinance through history, culture, and geography. Between 1919 and 1924, two ordinances were prepared using two very different methodologies. The first of these was designed by nationally known consultant, Charles H. Cheney, using the latest scientific methods. After its rejection in the polls, a second ordinance was developed by a prominent group of realtors in conjunction with the city planning commission using more intuitive methods. This “realtors’ code” (MacColl 1979) was approved by the Portland electorate in 1924. Some fifty years later, the Portland planning commission would identify zoning as having played a significant role in the deterioration of the Buckman neighborhood in the study area. The comparison of the rationales and methods behind the locations of zone boundaries in both ordinances against the locations of actual uses in the study area, reveals the powerful influences of social Darwinism, laissez-faire attitudes, and newly developing social science methods on the association of zoning with the separation of uses and the land use patterns that were created. Close

• 2. [Article] Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: The Face of Density, Diversity, and Disparity in 20th Century Portland

  We of the 21st century often congratulate ourselves on policies that have led to greater density and diversity in our urban settings, as remedies to the sprawl, ghettoization, and poverty that became the ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: The Face of Density, Diversity, and Disparity in 20th Century Portland Author: Wollner, Craig, Merrick, Meg Year: 2010 We of the 21st century often congratulate ourselves on policies that have led to greater density and diversity in our urban settings, as remedies to the sprawl, ghettoization, and poverty that became the bane of planners and activists during the last half of the previous one hundred years. But the maps on this and following pages, generated by the Teaching American History Project of the Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies, suggest that there was plenty of density in various parts of the city at times in the twentieth century and a lot of diversity in certain neighborhoods. Often, these outcomes were the result of intentional policies of the city government and its business allies, especially those in real estate, transportation, and finance. Frequently, these policies perpetuated or accelerated poverty and decline in the neighborhoods--although those who made them said they were designed to ensure the greater good, or to conform to consensus values, or that they were promulgated because there were more pressing matters to address. Today, we have replaced these policies with different and (we think) more humane, forward looking ones where urban planning is concerned. But perhaps we have only proved that, as the proverb has it, 'There is nothing new under the sun,' or maybe that as the great historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. put it, we have yet to learn "what is necessary and what is merely the product of our contingent arrangements." Title: Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: The Face of Density, Diversity, and Disparity in 20th Century Portland Author: Wollner, Craig, Merrick, Meg Year: 2010 We of the 21st century often congratulate ourselves on policies that have led to greater density and diversity in our urban settings, as remedies to the sprawl, ghettoization, and poverty that became the bane of planners and activists during the last half of the previous one hundred years. But the maps on this and following pages, generated by the Teaching American History Project of the Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies, suggest that there was plenty of density in various parts of the city at times in the twentieth century and a lot of diversity in certain neighborhoods. Often, these outcomes were the result of intentional policies of the city government and its business allies, especially those in real estate, transportation, and finance. Frequently, these policies perpetuated or accelerated poverty and decline in the neighborhoods--although those who made them said they were designed to ensure the greater good, or to conform to consensus values, or that they were promulgated because there were more pressing matters to address. Today, we have replaced these policies with different and (we think) more humane, forward looking ones where urban planning is concerned. But perhaps we have only proved that, as the proverb has it, 'There is nothing new under the sun,' or maybe that as the great historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. put it, we have yet to learn "what is necessary and what is merely the product of our contingent arrangements." Close

• 3. [Article] Traveling the past into the present : the region's highways and byways

  Reviews the work of Oregon's first surveyors and cartographers, and compares early maps to the modern landscape.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Traveling the past into the present : the region's highways and byways Author: Peterson del Mar, David, Kaplinger, Heather, Merrick, Meg Year: 2005 Reviews the work of Oregon's first surveyors and cartographers, and compares early maps to the modern landscape. Title: Traveling the past into the present : the region's highways and byways Author: Peterson del Mar, David, Kaplinger, Heather, Merrick, Meg Year: 2005 Reviews the work of Oregon's first surveyors and cartographers, and compares early maps to the modern landscape. Close

• 4. [Article] What is Driving Measure 37 Claims in Oregon?

  With over 7,500 claims covering 750,000 acres of farm and forestland, Measure 37 claims harbor the potential to change the landscape in Oregon. The majority of these claims are located in the Willamette ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: What is Driving Measure 37 Claims in Oregon? Author: Martin, Sheila A., Merrick, Meg, Rundell, Erik, Shriver, Katie Year: 2007 With over 7,500 claims covering 750,000 acres of farm and forestland, Measure 37 claims harbor the potential to change the landscape in Oregon. The majority of these claims are located in the Willamette Valley, where growth pressures and the value gradient between land for farms and land for residential development is great. This paper explores those relationships by describing and mapping the claims in terms of location, size, and current and proposed use, and then analyzes factors that appear to be driving the claims. At a county level, variables such as population growth, farm income, farm tenure and average age of farmer are considered as explanations of claim density. Using maps, we also examine the impact of distance from urban growth boundary and proximity to public lands. We conclude with comments about the unforeseen consequences of the “time zone” zoning on agriculture and public services, and consider the fairness of the Measure 37 regime. Title: What is Driving Measure 37 Claims in Oregon? Author: Martin, Sheila A., Merrick, Meg, Rundell, Erik, Shriver, Katie Year: 2007 With over 7,500 claims covering 750,000 acres of farm and forestland, Measure 37 claims harbor the potential to change the landscape in Oregon. The majority of these claims are located in the Willamette Valley, where growth pressures and the value gradient between land for farms and land for residential development is great. This paper explores those relationships by describing and mapping the claims in terms of location, size, and current and proposed use, and then analyzes factors that appear to be driving the claims. At a county level, variables such as population growth, farm income, farm tenure and average age of farmer are considered as explanations of claim density. Using maps, we also examine the impact of distance from urban growth boundary and proximity to public lands. We conclude with comments about the unforeseen consequences of the “time zone” zoning on agriculture and public services, and consider the fairness of the Measure 37 regime. Close

• 5. [Article] Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: Seeing the Past in the Present - A Snapshot of the Relationship between Urban Growth and Transportation

  With this edition of the periodic atlas, we explore the waves of growth and changes in urban form that have occurred over the last century in Metro's tri-county region using historic maps and the year-built ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: Seeing the Past in the Present - A Snapshot of the Relationship between Urban Growth and Transportation Author: Merrick, Meg Year: 2011 With this edition of the periodic atlas, we explore the waves of growth and changes in urban form that have occurred over the last century in Metro's tri-county region using historic maps and the year-built information provided by Metro's Regional Land Information System (RLIS) for tax lots. Title: Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: Seeing the Past in the Present - A Snapshot of the Relationship between Urban Growth and Transportation Author: Merrick, Meg Year: 2011 With this edition of the periodic atlas, we explore the waves of growth and changes in urban form that have occurred over the last century in Metro's tri-county region using historic maps and the year-built information provided by Metro's Regional Land Information System (RLIS) for tax lots. Close

• 6. [Article] Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: Mapping Measure 37, Take One

  When Oregon voters passed Measure 37 in November 2004, its implications moved from the hypothetical to the actual. This edition of the Metroscape atlas explores how Measure 37 claims might affect Oregon’s ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: Mapping Measure 37, Take One Author: Merrick, Meg, Rundell, Erik, Maher, Colin Year: 2007 When Oregon voters passed Measure 37 in November 2004, its implications moved from the hypothetical to the actual. This edition of the Metroscape atlas explores how Measure 37 claims might affect Oregon’s future. This atlas describes the geographic distribution of the claims that have been filed so far because location, size, and substance are keys to the measure's effects. Given space constraints, we emphasize maps over explanatory text. Future editions of the atlas will focus in greater detail on a variety of potential impacts of Measure 37. Title: Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: Mapping Measure 37, Take One Author: Merrick, Meg, Rundell, Erik, Maher, Colin Year: 2007 When Oregon voters passed Measure 37 in November 2004, its implications moved from the hypothetical to the actual. This edition of the Metroscape atlas explores how Measure 37 claims might affect Oregon’s future. This atlas describes the geographic distribution of the claims that have been filed so far because location, size, and substance are keys to the measure's effects. Given space constraints, we emphasize maps over explanatory text. Future editions of the atlas will focus in greater detail on a variety of potential impacts of Measure 37. Close

• 7. [Article] Seeking Solutions to Long-Term Public Engagement in Rapidly Diversifying Communities: A Case Study in Washington County, Oregon

  This paper explores the challenges in engaging a rapidly diversifying public in county government decision-making. The State of Oregon recognized the importance of meaningful public engagement by naming ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Seeking Solutions to Long-Term Public Engagement in Rapidly Diversifying Communities: A Case Study in Washington County, Oregon Author: Merrick, Meg, Tremoulet, Andrée Year: 2016 This paper explores the challenges in engaging a rapidly diversifying public in county government decision-making. The State of Oregon recognized the importance of meaningful public engagement by naming it as the first goal of its landmark statewide land use planning system adopted in 1973. Washington County, which is part of Portland’s tri-county metropolitan region, is geographically large, historically white but, in recent years, rapidly diversifying. It is also largely suburban and includes the region’s largest unincorporated communities. In addition, Washington County includes significant agricultural activities and small rural communities. Title: Seeking Solutions to Long-Term Public Engagement in Rapidly Diversifying Communities: A Case Study in Washington County, Oregon Author: Merrick, Meg, Tremoulet, Andrée Year: 2016 This paper explores the challenges in engaging a rapidly diversifying public in county government decision-making. The State of Oregon recognized the importance of meaningful public engagement by naming it as the first goal of its landmark statewide land use planning system adopted in 1973. Washington County, which is part of Portland’s tri-county metropolitan region, is geographically large, historically white but, in recent years, rapidly diversifying. It is also largely suburban and includes the region’s largest unincorporated communities. In addition, Washington County includes significant agricultural activities and small rural communities. Close