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• 11. [Article] Continuous Data Integration for Land Use and Transportation Planning and Modeling

  There is an urgent need for improved models that address the interdependencies between land use and transportation, and considerable new work is underway to develop such models in Oregon and elsewhere. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Continuous Data Integration for Land Use and Transportation Planning and Modeling Author: Wang, Liming, Kim, Kihong Year: 2014 There is an urgent need for improved models that address the interdependencies between land use and transportation, and considerable new work is underway to develop such models in Oregon and elsewhere. These models and planning practices to integrate land use into the process, however, require the integration of massive amounts of land use data that is messy and incomplete. There have been considerable advances in the treatment of such data problems in other domains, drawing on data mining and machine-learning techniques to address issues in various domains. To date, however, little systematic effort has applied these technological advances to the problem domain of land use and transportation data. Experience suggests that as much as 70% of the total effort in developing integrated land use and transportation models is directly or indirectly associated with data development, integration and cleaning, yet there is remarkably little systematic research focused on the development of reusable methods and tools to support this problem domain. In coordination with an ongoing project of similar theme funded by University of California Transportation Center (UCTC), this project will focus on bringing interdisciplinary methods to develop land use datasets for integrated land use and transportation planning and modeling, with special attention on preserving temporal dimension of the data and monitoring data quality through indicators. Utilizing statistics and machine-learning techniques, we will develop reusable tools that will create a harmonized and coherent land use database from various public and private sources. These tools will be made available to the public and can be used by cities, counties, metropolitan planning agencies, state agencies, universities or anyone else needing to develop a usable database for use in integrated planning and modeling. All of the resulting data, with the exception of proprietary or confidential input data where there is no viable alternative, would be public and reusable for planning and research. Title: Continuous Data Integration for Land Use and Transportation Planning and Modeling Author: Wang, Liming, Kim, Kihong Year: 2014 There is an urgent need for improved models that address the interdependencies between land use and transportation, and considerable new work is underway to develop such models in Oregon and elsewhere. These models and planning practices to integrate land use into the process, however, require the integration of massive amounts of land use data that is messy and incomplete. There have been considerable advances in the treatment of such data problems in other domains, drawing on data mining and machine-learning techniques to address issues in various domains. To date, however, little systematic effort has applied these technological advances to the problem domain of land use and transportation data. Experience suggests that as much as 70% of the total effort in developing integrated land use and transportation models is directly or indirectly associated with data development, integration and cleaning, yet there is remarkably little systematic research focused on the development of reusable methods and tools to support this problem domain. In coordination with an ongoing project of similar theme funded by University of California Transportation Center (UCTC), this project will focus on bringing interdisciplinary methods to develop land use datasets for integrated land use and transportation planning and modeling, with special attention on preserving temporal dimension of the data and monitoring data quality through indicators. Utilizing statistics and machine-learning techniques, we will develop reusable tools that will create a harmonized and coherent land use database from various public and private sources. These tools will be made available to the public and can be used by cities, counties, metropolitan planning agencies, state agencies, universities or anyone else needing to develop a usable database for use in integrated planning and modeling. All of the resulting data, with the exception of proprietary or confidential input data where there is no viable alternative, would be public and reusable for planning and research. Close

• 12. [Article] Evaluation of Transportation Microenvironments Through Assessment of Cyclysts' Exposure to Traffic-Related Particulate Matter

  It is well established that vehicles powered by carbon-based fuels (e.g. gasoline, diesel) have a negative impact on air quality, especially in urban centers. Traditionally, air quality conformity studies ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Evaluation of Transportation Microenvironments Through Assessment of Cyclysts' Exposure to Traffic-Related Particulate Matter Author: George, Linda A., Figliozzi, Miguel A., Monsere, Christopher M., Kendrick, Christine M., Bigazzi, Alexander Y, Moore, Adam Year: 2011 It is well established that vehicles powered by carbon-based fuels (e.g. gasoline, diesel) have a negative impact on air quality, especially in urban centers. Traditionally, air quality conformity studies analyze the macroenvironmental impact of transportation corridors, as they relate to regional air quality management concerns. Urban residents spend a considerable amount of outdoor time in transportation microenvironments as pedestrians, bicycle commuters, people waiting to use public transport, residents and workers situated along roadways, and commuters within vehicles. An emerging area of research has shown that human health impacts within transport microenvironments can be considerable, but have not been well-characterized. As urban public policies increasingly encourage the use of multi-mode commuting in dense urban centers, decisionmakers need reliable modeling tools to predict and mitigate the health consequences of vehicle-related emissions in transportation microenvironments. This project proposes unique integration of real-time multi-modal personal exposure monitoring with real-time detailed traffic monitoring in order to develop a computer model that links traffic characteristics, emissions, built environment configuration, mode of travel and health impacts. Existing emission and dispersion models do not take direct account of the dynamic nature of traffic and how emissions impact the health of the diversity of urban dwellers, bus commuters, pedestrians, and bicycle riders. Typical approaches use highly aggregated vehicle data and computed link speeds to assign an emission factor to the traffic, an assumed proportion of which is trucks. In addition, existing methods to assess environmental impacts tend to focus on the production source of the pollutant not the impacts, which require information on population activities and its proximity to vehicle flows. Personal exposure studies document significant air quality impacts within the transportation microenvironment but do not integrate dynamic traffic and emission analysis. Previous research argues for a comprehensive approach. From the perspective of mitigating transportation impacts, it is significant to understand: a) exposure to the pollution, which in turn requires assessment of where people are in relation to the source of the pollutant, and b) the relation between pollution and vehicle flows. This research will target highly polluted high exposure hotspots in Portland, e.g. high traffic flows running through a major trip destination area for shopping, entertainment, education, or health care highly dependent on mode of travel, traffic levels and type, and built environment characteristics. Our approach is to conduct field studies to measure personal exposure to particulate matter as a function of transportation mode through pre-determined routes in the city. Exposure levels, position, time and rate of travel will be recorded. Simultaneously we will collect detailed traffic data that will provide type/number of vehicle, speed of travel and start/stop behavior. GIS analysis of the urban form and land use characteristics will establish built environment parameters. These data will be integrated into a built environment-travel mode-exposure model. The major scientific innovations offered by this project are: 1) integration of detailed and real-time exposure/emissions with a real-time traffic measurement approach, and 2) development of an integrated emissions and transportation model that combines traffic characteristics, emissions, built environment configuration, mode of travel and predicted health impacts. The outcomes of the research will be of importance to the general public, urban communities, departments of transportation charged with managing urban traffic, and public health authorities. Title: Evaluation of Transportation Microenvironments Through Assessment of Cyclysts' Exposure to Traffic-Related Particulate Matter Author: George, Linda A., Figliozzi, Miguel A., Monsere, Christopher M., Kendrick, Christine M., Bigazzi, Alexander Y, Moore, Adam Year: 2011 It is well established that vehicles powered by carbon-based fuels (e.g. gasoline, diesel) have a negative impact on air quality, especially in urban centers. Traditionally, air quality conformity studies analyze the macroenvironmental impact of transportation corridors, as they relate to regional air quality management concerns. Urban residents spend a considerable amount of outdoor time in transportation microenvironments as pedestrians, bicycle commuters, people waiting to use public transport, residents and workers situated along roadways, and commuters within vehicles. An emerging area of research has shown that human health impacts within transport microenvironments can be considerable, but have not been well-characterized. As urban public policies increasingly encourage the use of multi-mode commuting in dense urban centers, decisionmakers need reliable modeling tools to predict and mitigate the health consequences of vehicle-related emissions in transportation microenvironments. This project proposes unique integration of real-time multi-modal personal exposure monitoring with real-time detailed traffic monitoring in order to develop a computer model that links traffic characteristics, emissions, built environment configuration, mode of travel and health impacts. Existing emission and dispersion models do not take direct account of the dynamic nature of traffic and how emissions impact the health of the diversity of urban dwellers, bus commuters, pedestrians, and bicycle riders. Typical approaches use highly aggregated vehicle data and computed link speeds to assign an emission factor to the traffic, an assumed proportion of which is trucks. In addition, existing methods to assess environmental impacts tend to focus on the production source of the pollutant not the impacts, which require information on population activities and its proximity to vehicle flows. Personal exposure studies document significant air quality impacts within the transportation microenvironment but do not integrate dynamic traffic and emission analysis. Previous research argues for a comprehensive approach. From the perspective of mitigating transportation impacts, it is significant to understand: a) exposure to the pollution, which in turn requires assessment of where people are in relation to the source of the pollutant, and b) the relation between pollution and vehicle flows. This research will target highly polluted high exposure hotspots in Portland, e.g. high traffic flows running through a major trip destination area for shopping, entertainment, education, or health care highly dependent on mode of travel, traffic levels and type, and built environment characteristics. Our approach is to conduct field studies to measure personal exposure to particulate matter as a function of transportation mode through pre-determined routes in the city. Exposure levels, position, time and rate of travel will be recorded. Simultaneously we will collect detailed traffic data that will provide type/number of vehicle, speed of travel and start/stop behavior. GIS analysis of the urban form and land use characteristics will establish built environment parameters. These data will be integrated into a built environment-travel mode-exposure model. The major scientific innovations offered by this project are: 1) integration of detailed and real-time exposure/emissions with a real-time traffic measurement approach, and 2) development of an integrated emissions and transportation model that combines traffic characteristics, emissions, built environment configuration, mode of travel and predicted health impacts. The outcomes of the research will be of importance to the general public, urban communities, departments of transportation charged with managing urban traffic, and public health authorities. Close

• 13. [Article] From Transit Stop to Urbanity Node: Field Audit for Measuring Livability at the Transit Stop

  This research proposal addresses issues of livability at the transit stop. American transit systems have historically been “shoehorned” into existing street networks designed predominantly for cars and ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: From Transit Stop to Urbanity Node: Field Audit for Measuring Livability at the Transit Stop Author: Ruggeri, Deni Year: 2013 This research proposal addresses issues of livability at the transit stop. American transit systems have historically been “shoehorned” into existing street networks designed predominantly for cars and trucks. While much research exists on livability and walkability in the context of urban and suburban streets and blocks, bus stops are greatly understudied. This research focused on bus stops and aimed at analyzing their performance in terms of livability, with particular emphasis on perceptions. Our definition of livability was expanded to include considerations of safety and maintenance, cleanliness, imageability and vitality, which have been shown to affect people’s perceptions of livability and their choice to use public transportation. The Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area and its transit system was the object of our investigation. Using Geographic Information System and Space Syntax software, we identified 17 bus stops having the most potential in terms of livability, which includes considerations of connectivity to other modes of transportation, mix of land uses surrounding the transit stop, and other traditional environmental qualities usually associated with sustainable places. The transit nodes were analyzed using an audit, a systematic test similar to those used by policymakers and communities to assess neighborhood walkability, which was expanded to include both quantitative and qualitative measures of livability. The effectiveness and wording of each type of question was carefully tested and refined, thanks to two separate pilot tests. The data collected through the audit was later standardized and merged into an index, a value representing the overall livability of the 17 bus stops audited. Despite minor differences across raters, the methodology proved effective in measuring and comparing livability across a variety of sites, and in illustrating their performance with regard to the environmental qualities tested. Title: From Transit Stop to Urbanity Node: Field Audit for Measuring Livability at the Transit Stop Author: Ruggeri, Deni Year: 2013 This research proposal addresses issues of livability at the transit stop. American transit systems have historically been “shoehorned” into existing street networks designed predominantly for cars and trucks. While much research exists on livability and walkability in the context of urban and suburban streets and blocks, bus stops are greatly understudied. This research focused on bus stops and aimed at analyzing their performance in terms of livability, with particular emphasis on perceptions. Our definition of livability was expanded to include considerations of safety and maintenance, cleanliness, imageability and vitality, which have been shown to affect people’s perceptions of livability and their choice to use public transportation. The Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area and its transit system was the object of our investigation. Using Geographic Information System and Space Syntax software, we identified 17 bus stops having the most potential in terms of livability, which includes considerations of connectivity to other modes of transportation, mix of land uses surrounding the transit stop, and other traditional environmental qualities usually associated with sustainable places. The transit nodes were analyzed using an audit, a systematic test similar to those used by policymakers and communities to assess neighborhood walkability, which was expanded to include both quantitative and qualitative measures of livability. The effectiveness and wording of each type of question was carefully tested and refined, thanks to two separate pilot tests. The data collected through the audit was later standardized and merged into an index, a value representing the overall livability of the 17 bus stops audited. Despite minor differences across raters, the methodology proved effective in measuring and comparing livability across a variety of sites, and in illustrating their performance with regard to the environmental qualities tested. Close

• 14. [Article] Data-Driven Illustrations for Climate Smart Communities Scenarios

  Public investment in transit and streetscape improvements can encourage private development, and subsequently increase transit ridership and reduce pollution. Portland, OR’s Metro regional government has ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Data-Driven Illustrations for Climate Smart Communities Scenarios Author: Cheng, Nancy Yen-wen, Ellis, Kim, Vogt, Molly, Chiavarini, Clint, Houk, Justin, Lockyear, Brian, Postma, Boyce, Morell, Peggy Year: 2013 Public investment in transit and streetscape improvements can encourage private development, and subsequently increase transit ridership and reduce pollution. Portland, OR’s Metro regional government has developed investment scenarios designed to reduce light vehicle carbon emissions. Adopting a regional scenario requires public review and consultation with local governments who will implement the comprehensive plans and land-use regulations. Decision makers and residents need to understand potential benefits: ways in which targeted investment could generate more livable urban spaces while reducing greenhouse gases. Illustrations can show how the investments could shape the pedestrian experience through trees, street furniture, buildings, open spaces, etc. This report explains a new workflow to illustrate urban development possibilities that can be adjusted according to evolving forecasts. Developing accessible scenario illustrations from city and regional planning forecasts requires sound analysis and thoughtful graphics to effectively communicate the analysis results. Our workflow connects planning forecasts (incorporating economic, transportation and land development data) to a parametric urban modeler to generate development massing, with views refined with 3D and 2D graphic procedures. Our objective has been to streamline the creation of visuals that communicate community development patterns and amenities provided with different levels of investment. A streamlined procedure allows different designers to generate illustrations with a consistent graphic style. The report documents the workflow, and identifies challenges, opportunities and questions for further work. Title: Data-Driven Illustrations for Climate Smart Communities Scenarios Author: Cheng, Nancy Yen-wen, Ellis, Kim, Vogt, Molly, Chiavarini, Clint, Houk, Justin, Lockyear, Brian, Postma, Boyce, Morell, Peggy Year: 2013 Public investment in transit and streetscape improvements can encourage private development, and subsequently increase transit ridership and reduce pollution. Portland, OR’s Metro regional government has developed investment scenarios designed to reduce light vehicle carbon emissions. Adopting a regional scenario requires public review and consultation with local governments who will implement the comprehensive plans and land-use regulations. Decision makers and residents need to understand potential benefits: ways in which targeted investment could generate more livable urban spaces while reducing greenhouse gases. Illustrations can show how the investments could shape the pedestrian experience through trees, street furniture, buildings, open spaces, etc. This report explains a new workflow to illustrate urban development possibilities that can be adjusted according to evolving forecasts. Developing accessible scenario illustrations from city and regional planning forecasts requires sound analysis and thoughtful graphics to effectively communicate the analysis results. Our workflow connects planning forecasts (incorporating economic, transportation and land development data) to a parametric urban modeler to generate development massing, with views refined with 3D and 2D graphic procedures. Our objective has been to streamline the creation of visuals that communicate community development patterns and amenities provided with different levels of investment. A streamlined procedure allows different designers to generate illustrations with a consistent graphic style. The report documents the workflow, and identifies challenges, opportunities and questions for further work. Close

• 15. [Article] The Boulevard Study: From Arterial to Asset -- Examining the Role of the Multi-Way Boulevard in Coordinated Transportation and Land Use Planning

  Cities that were once considered the most-desired places to live or for businesses to locate are now seeking ways to unclog their increasingly congested roadways and regain their quality of life. U.S. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Boulevard Study: From Arterial to Asset -- Examining the Role of the Multi-Way Boulevard in Coordinated Transportation and Land Use Planning Author: Gillem, Mark L. Year: 2010 Cities that were once considered the most-desired places to live or for businesses to locate are now seeking ways to unclog their increasingly congested roadways and regain their quality of life. U.S. Department of Transportation Strategic Plan Background Cities across the U.S. that are struggling with congestion resort to remedies that are increasingly difficult to implement. Adding capacity is a more challenging proposition given limited land availability, greater environmental constraints, and fiscal barriers. Replacing individual trips with transit has seen limited success and can typically only be justified at greater levels of density than many communities currently support. Multiway boulevards offer one possible but little studied alternative to congested arterials in metropolitan areas. These streets, which are common in Europe, have several lanes of faster moving through traffic in the middle separated by medians from parking and access lanes on the sides. With local traffic traveling in the slow moving access lanes, these streets support a wider array of land uses than typical arterials. Ground level retail uses can take advantage of on-street parking in the access lanes. Residential uses are attracted to the park-like quality of the landscaped boulevards. This study will investigate the transportation and land use potential of replacing the ubiquitous arterial with multiway boulevards. Objective. This is an applied research project that will examine the opportunities and constraints to converting an auto-oriented five-and six-lane arterial into a multiway boulevard with transit as a way of reducing congestion, improving pedestrian and automobile safety, and supporting more unified land uses. Hence, the study is well aligned with OTREC's theme of integrating land use and transportation planning as well as U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) strategic objectives focused on improving safety, enhancing mobility, and minimizing transportation related environmental impacts. Method and Scope The project will use a case study approach and will focus on the Franklin Corridor in the Eugene-Springfield area. Through a series of public workshops, planning studios, and student research efforts, University of Oregon graduate and undergraduate students in architecture, landscape architecture, and planning, along with local professionals, and members of the general public will work together to analyze existing conditions, develop planning objectives, prepare conceptual diagrams for development of the corridor, examine alternative right-of-way sections, and calculate potential future development capacities in terms of densities and open space. The work effort will be focused on developing a conceptual analysis of existing and proposed conditions rather than on detailed traffic modeling and design. The study area will include Franklin Boulevard from the eastern edge of Glenwood to Eugene's Ferry Street Bridge. The corridor is under intense development pressure. On the west end, Eugene's new Federal Courthouse will be the anchor for a 50-acre redeveloped industrial district. In the middle are proposals for the 80-acre Walnut Station Mixed Use Area. On the east end are redevelopment concepts for a 43-acre portion of Glenwood. In this project, we will look beyond these individual projects and study the potential for the corridor as a whole. Title: The Boulevard Study: From Arterial to Asset -- Examining the Role of the Multi-Way Boulevard in Coordinated Transportation and Land Use Planning Author: Gillem, Mark L. Year: 2010 Cities that were once considered the most-desired places to live or for businesses to locate are now seeking ways to unclog their increasingly congested roadways and regain their quality of life. U.S. Department of Transportation Strategic Plan Background Cities across the U.S. that are struggling with congestion resort to remedies that are increasingly difficult to implement. Adding capacity is a more challenging proposition given limited land availability, greater environmental constraints, and fiscal barriers. Replacing individual trips with transit has seen limited success and can typically only be justified at greater levels of density than many communities currently support. Multiway boulevards offer one possible but little studied alternative to congested arterials in metropolitan areas. These streets, which are common in Europe, have several lanes of faster moving through traffic in the middle separated by medians from parking and access lanes on the sides. With local traffic traveling in the slow moving access lanes, these streets support a wider array of land uses than typical arterials. Ground level retail uses can take advantage of on-street parking in the access lanes. Residential uses are attracted to the park-like quality of the landscaped boulevards. This study will investigate the transportation and land use potential of replacing the ubiquitous arterial with multiway boulevards. Objective. This is an applied research project that will examine the opportunities and constraints to converting an auto-oriented five-and six-lane arterial into a multiway boulevard with transit as a way of reducing congestion, improving pedestrian and automobile safety, and supporting more unified land uses. Hence, the study is well aligned with OTREC's theme of integrating land use and transportation planning as well as U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) strategic objectives focused on improving safety, enhancing mobility, and minimizing transportation related environmental impacts. Method and Scope The project will use a case study approach and will focus on the Franklin Corridor in the Eugene-Springfield area. Through a series of public workshops, planning studios, and student research efforts, University of Oregon graduate and undergraduate students in architecture, landscape architecture, and planning, along with local professionals, and members of the general public will work together to analyze existing conditions, develop planning objectives, prepare conceptual diagrams for development of the corridor, examine alternative right-of-way sections, and calculate potential future development capacities in terms of densities and open space. The work effort will be focused on developing a conceptual analysis of existing and proposed conditions rather than on detailed traffic modeling and design. The study area will include Franklin Boulevard from the eastern edge of Glenwood to Eugene's Ferry Street Bridge. The corridor is under intense development pressure. On the west end, Eugene's new Federal Courthouse will be the anchor for a 50-acre redeveloped industrial district. In the middle are proposals for the 80-acre Walnut Station Mixed Use Area. On the east end are redevelopment concepts for a 43-acre portion of Glenwood. In this project, we will look beyond these individual projects and study the potential for the corridor as a whole. Close

• 16. [Article] A Brief Portrait of Multimodal Transportation Planning in Oregon and the Path to Achieving It, 1890-1974

  This project was designed to outline transportation chapters of a planned written history of Oregon land use planning, written in ways that would make the transportation planning profession relevant to ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A Brief Portrait of Multimodal Transportation Planning in Oregon and the Path to Achieving It, 1890-1974 Author: Abbott, Carl, Lowry, Sam Year: 2010 This project was designed to outline transportation chapters of a planned written history of Oregon land use planning, written in ways that would make the transportation planning profession relevant to a popular audience. The writing would focus on stories from the profession, and on historical facts and events in Oregon transportation planning history that would surprise or enlighten popular reading audiences. Technology transfer would occur through publication of one or more written pieces of work. The result is a topical and historical tale entitled "A Brief Portrait of Multimodal Transportation Planning in Oregon and the Path to Achieving It, 1890-1974." Sources told stories with enthusiastic reference to past transportation events. The structure chosen was an interwoven collection of topical essays, arranged chronologically but skipping sideways, sometimes backward or forward, from stage to stage – national, metropolitan, state governmental, local – but always moving forward in time. The tale presented here takes the reader through tumultuous early years, up to the moment in 1974 when statewide planning goals, including Goal 12, the transportation goal, were adopted by the Oregon Legislature. Title: A Brief Portrait of Multimodal Transportation Planning in Oregon and the Path to Achieving It, 1890-1974 Author: Abbott, Carl, Lowry, Sam Year: 2010 This project was designed to outline transportation chapters of a planned written history of Oregon land use planning, written in ways that would make the transportation planning profession relevant to a popular audience. The writing would focus on stories from the profession, and on historical facts and events in Oregon transportation planning history that would surprise or enlighten popular reading audiences. Technology transfer would occur through publication of one or more written pieces of work. The result is a topical and historical tale entitled "A Brief Portrait of Multimodal Transportation Planning in Oregon and the Path to Achieving It, 1890-1974." Sources told stories with enthusiastic reference to past transportation events. The structure chosen was an interwoven collection of topical essays, arranged chronologically but skipping sideways, sometimes backward or forward, from stage to stage – national, metropolitan, state governmental, local – but always moving forward in time. The tale presented here takes the reader through tumultuous early years, up to the moment in 1974 when statewide planning goals, including Goal 12, the transportation goal, were adopted by the Oregon Legislature. Close

• 17. [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

• 18. [Article] Planning at the Ballot Box : Better Decisions or the End of Planning?

  Land use planning in a variety of forms has been coming to the ballot box in Oregon more frequently in recent years, and this raises a host of issues for citizens, planners, advocates of all stripes, and ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Planning at the Ballot Box : Better Decisions or the End of Planning? Author: Seltzer, Ethan, Rehberg, Shayna Year: 2002 Land use planning in a variety of forms has been coming to the ballot box in Oregon more frequently in recent years, and this raises a host of issues for citizens, planners, advocates of all stripes, and elected officials alike. Will we make planning decisions through deliberative, inclusive public processes, or will planning amount to ?yes-no? questions put before voters in the form of ballot measures? Will representative elected bodies be the decisionmakers, or will we bypass them completely with new applications of direct democracy? To help identify and describe this trend, this paper reviews the current literature on ballot box planning as a means for helping metropolitan area communities get ready for what is likely to be an increasing volume of planning-related electoral activity. Here, "ballot box planning" refers to the use of initiatives and referenda in deciding land use planning matters (Caves, 1992). Citizen initiatives and referenda are tools of direct democracy, and in the literature are also referred to as tools for "direct legislation." Title: Planning at the Ballot Box : Better Decisions or the End of Planning? Author: Seltzer, Ethan, Rehberg, Shayna Year: 2002 Land use planning in a variety of forms has been coming to the ballot box in Oregon more frequently in recent years, and this raises a host of issues for citizens, planners, advocates of all stripes, and elected officials alike. Will we make planning decisions through deliberative, inclusive public processes, or will planning amount to ?yes-no? questions put before voters in the form of ballot measures? Will representative elected bodies be the decisionmakers, or will we bypass them completely with new applications of direct democracy? To help identify and describe this trend, this paper reviews the current literature on ballot box planning as a means for helping metropolitan area communities get ready for what is likely to be an increasing volume of planning-related electoral activity. Here, "ballot box planning" refers to the use of initiatives and referenda in deciding land use planning matters (Caves, 1992). Citizen initiatives and referenda are tools of direct democracy, and in the literature are also referred to as tools for "direct legislation." Close

• 19. [Article] Planning in the Portland Metropolitan Area after Measure 37

  Created in the aftermath of Measure 37, the Russill Fellowship is aimed at examining non-regulatory land use planning tools and their potential application in the Portland Metropolitan area, with a particular ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Planning in the Portland Metropolitan Area after Measure 37 Author: Reid, Ted Year: 2006 Created in the aftermath of Measure 37, the Russill Fellowship is aimed at examining non-regulatory land use planning tools and their potential application in the Portland Metropolitan area, with a particular emphasis on habitat conservation. The above-mentioned ballot initiative and the larger private property rights movement have given an indication that Oregon voters perceive inequities in the State’s land use planning system. It is also clear that Oregonians still place a high value on the conservation of our state’s natural resources. According to a March, 2005 statewide survey, protecting farmland for farming is very important to 67% of respondents, protecting the environment is very important to 61%, and protecting wildlife habitat is very important to 58% (CFM Research, 2005). According to a more recent survey commissioned by Metro, 72% of respondents indicated that a policy to “add houses in existing neighborhoods” comes closer to how they feel while only 16% chose “convert farm and forest land for growth” (12% responded with “don’t know”) (Davis, Hibbits, & Midghall, Inc., 2006). Regardless of the legal status of Measure 37 or any future regulatory takings initiatives, the planner’s toolbox needs to be expanded, providing a wider variety of options to accomplish the Statewide Planning Goals. However, as the research for this paper progressed, a more complicated picture of planning and the use of regulations has emerged. It has become clear that non-regulatory planning instruments are no substitute for regulation in upholding Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goals. The above-cited survey indicates that Oregonians do still see the importance of the Goals. Thus, this paper has focused on the need for long-range planning, the relationship between planning and property values, the threat of sprawl in the Portland region, planning instruments that help to control such sprawl, and whether such instruments are able to attain Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goals. Title: Planning in the Portland Metropolitan Area after Measure 37 Author: Reid, Ted Year: 2006 Created in the aftermath of Measure 37, the Russill Fellowship is aimed at examining non-regulatory land use planning tools and their potential application in the Portland Metropolitan area, with a particular emphasis on habitat conservation. The above-mentioned ballot initiative and the larger private property rights movement have given an indication that Oregon voters perceive inequities in the State’s land use planning system. It is also clear that Oregonians still place a high value on the conservation of our state’s natural resources. According to a March, 2005 statewide survey, protecting farmland for farming is very important to 67% of respondents, protecting the environment is very important to 61%, and protecting wildlife habitat is very important to 58% (CFM Research, 2005). According to a more recent survey commissioned by Metro, 72% of respondents indicated that a policy to “add houses in existing neighborhoods” comes closer to how they feel while only 16% chose “convert farm and forest land for growth” (12% responded with “don’t know”) (Davis, Hibbits, & Midghall, Inc., 2006). Regardless of the legal status of Measure 37 or any future regulatory takings initiatives, the planner’s toolbox needs to be expanded, providing a wider variety of options to accomplish the Statewide Planning Goals. However, as the research for this paper progressed, a more complicated picture of planning and the use of regulations has emerged. It has become clear that non-regulatory planning instruments are no substitute for regulation in upholding Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goals. The above-cited survey indicates that Oregonians do still see the importance of the Goals. Thus, this paper has focused on the need for long-range planning, the relationship between planning and property values, the threat of sprawl in the Portland region, planning instruments that help to control such sprawl, and whether such instruments are able to attain Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goals. Close

• 20. [Article] Mitigating the impacts of Measure 37 : implementing a statewide transferable development rights program in Oregon

  Nonregulatory land use planning tools can be effective for achieving statewide planning goals, but only in a regulatory context. Measure 37 makes that regulatory context problematic, with planners’ flexibility ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Mitigating the impacts of Measure 37 : implementing a statewide transferable development rights program in Oregon Author: Grothaus, Mary L. Year: 2007 Nonregulatory land use planning tools can be effective for achieving statewide planning goals, but only in a regulatory context. Measure 37 makes that regulatory context problematic, with planners’ flexibility in making regulatory changes stymied. To conserve wildlife habitat after Measure 37, Oregon’s planners need to turn to these non-regulatory tools. One such tool is transferable development rights (TDRs). TDRs equitably preserve the ecosystem services of rural lands and promote efficient land use patterns. A rural property owner “transfers” her development rights to an urban developer by placing a conservation easement on her property and accepting payment from the developer, who profits from development bonuses. This payment could be declared compensation under Measure 37 and could mitigate the Measure’s potential development impacts. Title: Mitigating the impacts of Measure 37 : implementing a statewide transferable development rights program in Oregon Author: Grothaus, Mary L. Year: 2007 Nonregulatory land use planning tools can be effective for achieving statewide planning goals, but only in a regulatory context. Measure 37 makes that regulatory context problematic, with planners’ flexibility in making regulatory changes stymied. To conserve wildlife habitat after Measure 37, Oregon’s planners need to turn to these non-regulatory tools. One such tool is transferable development rights (TDRs). TDRs equitably preserve the ecosystem services of rural lands and promote efficient land use patterns. A rural property owner “transfers” her development rights to an urban developer by placing a conservation easement on her property and accepting payment from the developer, who profits from development bonuses. This payment could be declared compensation under Measure 37 and could mitigate the Measure’s potential development impacts. Close