Search

Search Results

• 1. [Article] Planning Ahead for Livable Communities Along the Powell-Division BRT: Neighborhood Conditions and Change

  New transit investments can be a double-edged sword for disadvantaged communities (e.g., those included in environmental justice and Title VI protected classes). Transit investments improve communities’ ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Planning Ahead for Livable Communities Along the Powell-Division BRT: Neighborhood Conditions and Change Author: Bates, Lisa K., Golub, Aaron, Macarthur, Devin, Sung, Seyoung Year: 2017 New transit investments can be a double-edged sword for disadvantaged communities (e.g., those included in environmental justice and Title VI protected classes). Transit investments improve communities’ mobility and access, and may improve health with reduced driving. However, there is also the potential for transit-oriented development (TOD) to spur gentrification and displacement if affordable housing is lost. Understanding transit corridor conditions and change with new infrastructure is important for learning how to mitigate negative effects and support inclusive communities with access to transit for lower-income households. The planning of a new bus rapid transit line along the Powell-Division corridor in Portland-Gresham provides an opportunity to understand neighborhood impacts of transit investment and evaluate programs designed to preserve and create affordable housing; include residents in economic development on the corridor; and build livable communities in an underserved area of the region. This proposal is for a research partnership between Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning faculty and the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to evaluate current conditions and potential for impacts of TOD, and to build a long-term program of assessment of neighborhood change and program evaluation as the city pilots new approaches to equitable TOD. The first phase will document the potential costs to communities if an integrated approach to livable communities were not taken, by assessing the risk of housing loss and displacement. DOT priorities are developing, evaluating and disseminating a coordinated approach to livable communities that includes housing and transportation. This work will speak to the scholarly debates about gentrification and public infrastructure investment, and will be presented to practitioner audiences through venues such as New Partners for Smart Growth, the PolicyLink think tank, and other learning opportunities for professionals. Title: Planning Ahead for Livable Communities Along the Powell-Division BRT: Neighborhood Conditions and Change Author: Bates, Lisa K., Golub, Aaron, Macarthur, Devin, Sung, Seyoung Year: 2017 New transit investments can be a double-edged sword for disadvantaged communities (e.g., those included in environmental justice and Title VI protected classes). Transit investments improve communities’ mobility and access, and may improve health with reduced driving. However, there is also the potential for transit-oriented development (TOD) to spur gentrification and displacement if affordable housing is lost. Understanding transit corridor conditions and change with new infrastructure is important for learning how to mitigate negative effects and support inclusive communities with access to transit for lower-income households. The planning of a new bus rapid transit line along the Powell-Division corridor in Portland-Gresham provides an opportunity to understand neighborhood impacts of transit investment and evaluate programs designed to preserve and create affordable housing; include residents in economic development on the corridor; and build livable communities in an underserved area of the region. This proposal is for a research partnership between Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning faculty and the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to evaluate current conditions and potential for impacts of TOD, and to build a long-term program of assessment of neighborhood change and program evaluation as the city pilots new approaches to equitable TOD. The first phase will document the potential costs to communities if an integrated approach to livable communities were not taken, by assessing the risk of housing loss and displacement. DOT priorities are developing, evaluating and disseminating a coordinated approach to livable communities that includes housing and transportation. This work will speak to the scholarly debates about gentrification and public infrastructure investment, and will be presented to practitioner audiences through venues such as New Partners for Smart Growth, the PolicyLink think tank, and other learning opportunities for professionals. Close

• 2. [Article] Using the Planning Process to Mitigate Climate Change

  This research evaluates how Oregon’s SB 1059 and California’s SB 375 have integrated climate change mitigation strategies into local planning processes, and seeks to understand how transportation planning ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Using the Planning Process to Mitigate Climate Change Author: Bartholomew, Keith Year: 2017 This research evaluates how Oregon’s SB 1059 and California’s SB 375 have integrated climate change mitigation strategies into local planning processes, and seeks to understand how transportation planning can help slow climate change. Title: Using the Planning Process to Mitigate Climate Change Author: Bartholomew, Keith Year: 2017 This research evaluates how Oregon’s SB 1059 and California’s SB 375 have integrated climate change mitigation strategies into local planning processes, and seeks to understand how transportation planning can help slow climate change. Close

• 3. [Article] Building Planner Commitment: Are California’s SB 375 and Oregon’s SB 1059 Models for Climate-Change Mitigation?

  California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act (SB 375) and the Oregon Sustainable Transportation Initiative (SB 1059) have made them the first states in the nation to try and reduce greenhouse ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Building Planner Commitment: Are California’s SB 375 and Oregon’s SB 1059 Models for Climate-Change Mitigation? Author: Bartholomew, Keith, Proffitt, David Year: 2017 California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act (SB 375) and the Oregon Sustainable Transportation Initiative (SB 1059) have made them the first states in the nation to try and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using the transportation-planning process. Evaluating how these pioneering laws have changed local planning processes – as well as plans themselves – in each state provides insight into the laws’ effectiveness at changing development patterns in a way that reduces GHG emissions, without waiting decades to see the effects in the built environment. Both states’ laws require metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and the municipalities that comprise them to plan development scenarios that reduce per capita GHG emissions from private automobiles. The emissions-reductions targets for each metro are determined through negotiation with state agencies and are updated periodically. Planning researchers (Burby et al., 1997) categorize laws like these as state planning mandates because they require local-level governments to incorporate state-specified goals into their plans. A host of empirical studies (Berke & French, 1994; Bunnell & Jepson, 2011; Burby & Dalton, 1994; Burby & May, 1998; Burby, 2005; Burby et al., 1993; Dalton & Burby, 1994; Hoch, 2007; May, 1993) suggest that the structure of state planning mandates, particularly the way their “carrots” and “sticks” encourage full adoption of the mandate’s goals and objectives or allow for just minimal compliance, are key to their success in changing development patterns. This is because greater planner commitment tends to result in higher-quality local plans and better plan implementation (Alterman & Hill, 1978; Berke & French, 1994; Berke & Godschalk, 2009; Berke, 1996; Brody & Highfield, 2005; Brody, 2003; Laurian et al., 2004; Talen, 1996), effectively acting as a multiplier that increases the plan’s influence on the built environment and other development outcomes. Therefore, we believe that evaluating the degree to which state planning mandates in California and Oregon have changed local planning documents and practices is the best available indicator of how the mandates will influence development patterns in the future. Furthermore, tracing how the mandates affect decisions made by local planners informs the suitability of California and Oregon’s planning mandates to serve as a model for policy in other states, or at the national or international scale. This study fits the NITC themes of taking long-term action on transportation emissions and climate change and integrating multimodal transportation and land use. We employ content analysis to evaluate SB 375 and SB 1059’s influence on regional transportation plans (RTPs) produced by MPOs. Conducting content analyses of RTPs approved before and after the planning mandates took effect will produce scores that allow us to compare how much the plans have changed due to the laws. It will also allow us to group MPOs based on their performance and identify characteristics of the metro areas they represent that predict their scores. For instance, some RTPs may shift from a weak focus on emissions reduction to a strong focus, while others may have a strong focus both before and after the planning mandates took effect. Building case studies in this way will allow us to ascertain which aspects of the laws are working as intended and which are not, and answer whether the laws can serve as models for climate change-mitigation policy. Title: Building Planner Commitment: Are California’s SB 375 and Oregon’s SB 1059 Models for Climate-Change Mitigation? Author: Bartholomew, Keith, Proffitt, David Year: 2017 California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act (SB 375) and the Oregon Sustainable Transportation Initiative (SB 1059) have made them the first states in the nation to try and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using the transportation-planning process. Evaluating how these pioneering laws have changed local planning processes – as well as plans themselves – in each state provides insight into the laws’ effectiveness at changing development patterns in a way that reduces GHG emissions, without waiting decades to see the effects in the built environment. Both states’ laws require metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and the municipalities that comprise them to plan development scenarios that reduce per capita GHG emissions from private automobiles. The emissions-reductions targets for each metro are determined through negotiation with state agencies and are updated periodically. Planning researchers (Burby et al., 1997) categorize laws like these as state planning mandates because they require local-level governments to incorporate state-specified goals into their plans. A host of empirical studies (Berke & French, 1994; Bunnell & Jepson, 2011; Burby & Dalton, 1994; Burby & May, 1998; Burby, 2005; Burby et al., 1993; Dalton & Burby, 1994; Hoch, 2007; May, 1993) suggest that the structure of state planning mandates, particularly the way their “carrots” and “sticks” encourage full adoption of the mandate’s goals and objectives or allow for just minimal compliance, are key to their success in changing development patterns. This is because greater planner commitment tends to result in higher-quality local plans and better plan implementation (Alterman & Hill, 1978; Berke & French, 1994; Berke & Godschalk, 2009; Berke, 1996; Brody & Highfield, 2005; Brody, 2003; Laurian et al., 2004; Talen, 1996), effectively acting as a multiplier that increases the plan’s influence on the built environment and other development outcomes. Therefore, we believe that evaluating the degree to which state planning mandates in California and Oregon have changed local planning documents and practices is the best available indicator of how the mandates will influence development patterns in the future. Furthermore, tracing how the mandates affect decisions made by local planners informs the suitability of California and Oregon’s planning mandates to serve as a model for policy in other states, or at the national or international scale. This study fits the NITC themes of taking long-term action on transportation emissions and climate change and integrating multimodal transportation and land use. We employ content analysis to evaluate SB 375 and SB 1059’s influence on regional transportation plans (RTPs) produced by MPOs. Conducting content analyses of RTPs approved before and after the planning mandates took effect will produce scores that allow us to compare how much the plans have changed due to the laws. It will also allow us to group MPOs based on their performance and identify characteristics of the metro areas they represent that predict their scores. For instance, some RTPs may shift from a weak focus on emissions reduction to a strong focus, while others may have a strong focus both before and after the planning mandates took effect. Building case studies in this way will allow us to ascertain which aspects of the laws are working as intended and which are not, and answer whether the laws can serve as models for climate change-mitigation policy. Close

• 4. [Article] Sustainable Options for Division Street

  To reflect the Division Vision Coalition's (DVC) desire to promote neighborhood livability through sustainable development, Team Urbanics offered a series of community workshops in May 2004 that explored ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Sustainable Options for Division Street Author: Burlin, Matt, Hawley, William, Kane, Alisa, Moser, David, Visse, Dana Year: 2004 To reflect the Division Vision Coalition's (DVC) desire to promote neighborhood livability through sustainable development, Team Urbanics offered a series of community workshops in May 2004 that explored the concepts of sustainable development. The goals of the "Sustainable Options for Division Street" workshops were to: Provide DVC with an educational tool that enhances the public’s awareness of sustainable development options Encourage public participation in upcoming redevelopment planning efforts Promote sustainable practices, including environmental protection, economic development, and social equity, and Create a forum for civil discourse, for neighbors to meet neighbors, and for people to learn new things about their community. This project was conducted under the supervision of Deborah Howe, Barry Messer, and Ethan Seltzer. Title: Sustainable Options for Division Street Author: Burlin, Matt, Hawley, William, Kane, Alisa, Moser, David, Visse, Dana Year: 2004 To reflect the Division Vision Coalition's (DVC) desire to promote neighborhood livability through sustainable development, Team Urbanics offered a series of community workshops in May 2004 that explored the concepts of sustainable development. The goals of the "Sustainable Options for Division Street" workshops were to: Provide DVC with an educational tool that enhances the public’s awareness of sustainable development options Encourage public participation in upcoming redevelopment planning efforts Promote sustainable practices, including environmental protection, economic development, and social equity, and Create a forum for civil discourse, for neighbors to meet neighbors, and for people to learn new things about their community. This project was conducted under the supervision of Deborah Howe, Barry Messer, and Ethan Seltzer. Close

• 5. [Article] Boom Town: Prioritizing Preservation under Pressure

  A demolition epidemic? Linn Davis explores the history of architectural preservation in the region, how it intersects with other development issues, and how we might strengthen our ability to protect architecturally ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Boom Town: Prioritizing Preservation under Pressure Author: Davis, Linn Year: 2016 A demolition epidemic? Linn Davis explores the history of architectural preservation in the region, how it intersects with other development issues, and how we might strengthen our ability to protect architecturally important buildings amid Portland's rush to build sufficient housing and commercial space to accommodate our growing needs. Title: Boom Town: Prioritizing Preservation under Pressure Author: Davis, Linn Year: 2016 A demolition epidemic? Linn Davis explores the history of architectural preservation in the region, how it intersects with other development issues, and how we might strengthen our ability to protect architecturally important buildings amid Portland's rush to build sufficient housing and commercial space to accommodate our growing needs. Close

• 6. [Article] Ecolopolis 4.0: Livability in Cascadia

  This is a working document and is the forth report in this series. This document examines the implications for Cascadia of the new federal livability partnership between the Environmental Protection Agency, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Ecolopolis 4.0: Livability in Cascadia Author: Portland State University Year: 2009 This is a working document and is the forth report in this series. This document examines the implications for Cascadia of the new federal livability partnership between the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Transportation. This new interest in the role that Federal agencies can and should play in furthering goals for livability and smart growth presents Cascadia and other megaregions an opportunity to articulate their own livability agendas in anticipation of new initiatives emanating from Washington, DC. This version, 4.0, has been produced by the Fall 2009 class and is edited by Dr. Ethan Seltzer Title: Ecolopolis 4.0: Livability in Cascadia Author: Portland State University Year: 2009 This is a working document and is the forth report in this series. This document examines the implications for Cascadia of the new federal livability partnership between the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Transportation. This new interest in the role that Federal agencies can and should play in furthering goals for livability and smart growth presents Cascadia and other megaregions an opportunity to articulate their own livability agendas in anticipation of new initiatives emanating from Washington, DC. This version, 4.0, has been produced by the Fall 2009 class and is edited by Dr. Ethan Seltzer Close

• 7. [Article] Ecolopolis 3.0: Infrastructure and Sustainability in Cascadia

  This is a working document and is the third report in this series. This report presents a vision for coordination and sustainable economic development in the Vancouver-Seattle-Portland megaregion. Building ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Ecolopolis 3.0: Infrastructure and Sustainability in Cascadia Author: Portland State University Year: 2008 This is a working document and is the third report in this series. This report presents a vision for coordination and sustainable economic development in the Vancouver-Seattle-Portland megaregion. Building on two previous studies, the report includes a detailed sector-based economic analysis and recommendations for further strengthening Cascadia's economic "competencies" in areas of green building and architecture, creative services, agriculture and food production and high tech. It also makes recommendations for protecting Cascadia's renowned environmental heritage and reputation for sustainability, while improving flows and connections within the megaregion. This version, 3.0, has been produced by the Spring 2008 class and is edited by Dr. Ethan Seltzer Title: Ecolopolis 3.0: Infrastructure and Sustainability in Cascadia Author: Portland State University Year: 2008 This is a working document and is the third report in this series. This report presents a vision for coordination and sustainable economic development in the Vancouver-Seattle-Portland megaregion. Building on two previous studies, the report includes a detailed sector-based economic analysis and recommendations for further strengthening Cascadia's economic "competencies" in areas of green building and architecture, creative services, agriculture and food production and high tech. It also makes recommendations for protecting Cascadia's renowned environmental heritage and reputation for sustainability, while improving flows and connections within the megaregion. This version, 3.0, has been produced by the Spring 2008 class and is edited by Dr. Ethan Seltzer Close

• 8. [Article] San Diego Quality of Life Indices: Calculating the Social Indicators of Risk and Protective Factors

  A system of measurements, the San Diego Quality of Life Indices (SDCQOLI), is being developed and reported in response to the need of successful prevention of the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: San Diego Quality of Life Indices: Calculating the Social Indicators of Risk and Protective Factors Author: Proehl, Risa, Sharkova, Irina V., TELESIS Corporation, San Diego, CA Year: 2002 A system of measurements, the San Diego Quality of Life Indices (SDCQOLI), is being developed and reported in response to the need of successful prevention of the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs (ATOD) and ATOD service delivery. The purpose of the SDCQOLI is to serve as a utility for public policy applications (ATOD prevention and others), both community-sponsored and initiated by the San Diego County and local governments, in order to achieve the mission of the County of San Diego "...to improve the region's Quality of Life" (County of San Diego...). Title: San Diego Quality of Life Indices: Calculating the Social Indicators of Risk and Protective Factors Author: Proehl, Risa, Sharkova, Irina V., TELESIS Corporation, San Diego, CA Year: 2002 A system of measurements, the San Diego Quality of Life Indices (SDCQOLI), is being developed and reported in response to the need of successful prevention of the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs (ATOD) and ATOD service delivery. The purpose of the SDCQOLI is to serve as a utility for public policy applications (ATOD prevention and others), both community-sponsored and initiated by the San Diego County and local governments, in order to achieve the mission of the County of San Diego "...to improve the region's Quality of Life" (County of San Diego...). Close

• 9. [Article] tacHOMEa: Infill Tools for a Happy City

  The City of Tacoma has policies that both encourage the densification of neighborhoods through a broadened range of residential infill options and also protect the character of single-family housing patterns. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: tacHOMEa: Infill Tools for a Happy City Author: Mathez, Anaïs, Cynkar, Michael, Silver, Hannah, Kobel, Nicholas Year: 2015 The City of Tacoma has policies that both encourage the densification of neighborhoods through a broadened range of residential infill options and also protect the character of single-family housing patterns. However, recent residential development has illustrated the difficulty of achieving goals of compatibility and density simultaneously. How can development incorporate better design standards and placemaking practices that respond to a neighborhood’s unique character, while diversifying the housing stock to provide a greater variety of housing options? Relating to the city’s anticipated population growth, as well as regional environmental and economic pressures, this report frames the discussion, analysis and recommendations around two key objectives: increasing access to "missing middle" housing, and promoting context-sensitive development. This report covers an introduction to the project’s objectives and methodology, an overview of existing conditions, a study of urban form pattern areas, takeaways from community engagement efforts and final recommendations. The information from this report helps establish a framework for guiding residential infill development in a manner that is sensitive to both neighborhood design and the diversifying needs of Tacoma’s current and future residents. The study of pattern areas is a tool that provides an analytical framework for guiding future work towards the incorporation of place-based needs and desires informed by the community. Recommendations identify actions that are both city-wide as well as pattern-specific, making a statement about the direction of growth and residential development as a means to frame the opportunities that exist in Tacoma. This project was conducted under the supervision of Sy Adler, Marisa Zapata, Lisa Bates and Susan Hartnett Title: tacHOMEa: Infill Tools for a Happy City Author: Mathez, Anaïs, Cynkar, Michael, Silver, Hannah, Kobel, Nicholas Year: 2015 The City of Tacoma has policies that both encourage the densification of neighborhoods through a broadened range of residential infill options and also protect the character of single-family housing patterns. However, recent residential development has illustrated the difficulty of achieving goals of compatibility and density simultaneously. How can development incorporate better design standards and placemaking practices that respond to a neighborhood’s unique character, while diversifying the housing stock to provide a greater variety of housing options? Relating to the city’s anticipated population growth, as well as regional environmental and economic pressures, this report frames the discussion, analysis and recommendations around two key objectives: increasing access to "missing middle" housing, and promoting context-sensitive development. This report covers an introduction to the project’s objectives and methodology, an overview of existing conditions, a study of urban form pattern areas, takeaways from community engagement efforts and final recommendations. The information from this report helps establish a framework for guiding residential infill development in a manner that is sensitive to both neighborhood design and the diversifying needs of Tacoma’s current and future residents. The study of pattern areas is a tool that provides an analytical framework for guiding future work towards the incorporation of place-based needs and desires informed by the community. Recommendations identify actions that are both city-wide as well as pattern-specific, making a statement about the direction of growth and residential development as a means to frame the opportunities that exist in Tacoma. This project was conducted under the supervision of Sy Adler, Marisa Zapata, Lisa Bates and Susan Hartnett Close

• 10. [Article] The Costs of Sprawl: Environmental and Economic Costs of Alternative Residential Development Patterns at the Urban Fringe

  Local government officials devote a large proportion of their time to considering and acting upon development proposals which substantially affect their communities in many ways. While information bearing ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Costs of Sprawl: Environmental and Economic Costs of Alternative Residential Development Patterns at the Urban Fringe Author: Real Estate Research Corporation Year: 1974 Local government officials devote a large proportion of their time to considering and acting upon development proposals which substantially affect their communities in many ways. While information bearing on development proposals has been increasingly broader in scope, more specific, and of higher quality, local government officials continue to have considerable difficulty in assessing the relative merits of alternative types of housing, general development patterns, and commercial strip versus center developments. To help compensate for this knowledge deficiency, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), in cooperation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has commissioned the Real Estate Research Corporation (RERC) to undertake a study of the environmental and economic effects of alternative development patterns. The results of that study are presented in two documents, The Costs of Sprawl — Literature Review and Bibliography and The Costs of Sprawl — Detailed Cost Analysis. The literature review and bibliography summarizes the existing knowledge available to local government officials faced with development decision-making, and presents extensive bibliographies pertaining to that knowledge. Title: The Costs of Sprawl: Environmental and Economic Costs of Alternative Residential Development Patterns at the Urban Fringe Author: Real Estate Research Corporation Year: 1974 Local government officials devote a large proportion of their time to considering and acting upon development proposals which substantially affect their communities in many ways. While information bearing on development proposals has been increasingly broader in scope, more specific, and of higher quality, local government officials continue to have considerable difficulty in assessing the relative merits of alternative types of housing, general development patterns, and commercial strip versus center developments. To help compensate for this knowledge deficiency, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), in cooperation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has commissioned the Real Estate Research Corporation (RERC) to undertake a study of the environmental and economic effects of alternative development patterns. The results of that study are presented in two documents, The Costs of Sprawl — Literature Review and Bibliography and The Costs of Sprawl — Detailed Cost Analysis. The literature review and bibliography summarizes the existing knowledge available to local government officials faced with development decision-making, and presents extensive bibliographies pertaining to that knowledge. Close