Sustainable Planning
Portland, Oregon from the start has not only been a model of intelligent city planning but also an innovator in sustainability, placing environmental concerns at the forefront. In 1948, a strong coalition of environmental groups ranging from the Oregon Audubon Society to the Girl Scouts created the Forest Park, the largest municipal natural park in the US, which had its design rooted in plans made by the Olmsted Brothers in the early 19th century(1). By the 1970s, Governor Tom McCall introduced significant environmental bills such as the Bottle Bill of 1971, the 1st mandatory bottle deposit law and the Tom McCall Waterfront Park to policies founding the state’s land-use planning such as the Urban Growth Boundary(2). For more on Urban Growth Boundary.
Today, Portland has a comprehensive Climate Action Plan that seeks to reduce carbon emissions of the city to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 through 8 categories: buildings and energy, urban form and mobility, consumption and solid waste, urban forestry and natural systems, food and agriculture, community engagement, local government operations, and climate change preparation(3). Currently, the plan sets objectives for 2030 as the goal is for the city to be at 40% below 1990 levels by then(3). The City of Portland has successfully woven sustainability into its effective urban planning programs as evident by the 2009 merger of the Bureau of Planning & Development with the Office of Sustainable Development(4). Under the new Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Portland is able to pursue its Climate Action Plan goals efficiently from construction to waste, building upon a strong foundation of prior sustainable programs.
1. Johnson, Steven. "Origins and Development of Environmental and Sustainability Movement in Portland, Oregon." Steven Reed Johnson Portland Oregon, USA. stevenreedjohnson.com/stevenreedjohnson/civicpdxEnriro_files/Environment.pdf (accessed February 16, 2013).
2. Suutari, Amanda. "USA - Oregon (Portland) - Sustainable City | The EcoTipping Points Project." A New Hope for Positive Change and Sustainability | The Ecotipping Points Project. http://www.ecotippingpoints.org/our-stories/indepth/usa-portland-sustainable-regional-planning.html (accessed February 15, 2013).
3. City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. "City of Portland and Multnomah County Climate Action Plan 2009." City of Portland, Oregon. http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/314522 (accessed February 18, 2013).
4.Mitchell, Kay. " Portland mayor-elect announces bureau changes, council duties | OregonLive.com." Oregon Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - OregonLive.com.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/portland_mayorelect_announces.html (accessed February 18, 2013).
5. (Image) http://portlandmonthlymag.com/data/images/2012/7/image/5899/tanner-springs-park.jpg
2. Suutari, Amanda. "USA - Oregon (Portland) - Sustainable City | The EcoTipping Points Project." A New Hope for Positive Change and Sustainability | The Ecotipping Points Project. http://www.ecotippingpoints.org/our-stories/indepth/usa-portland-sustainable-regional-planning.html (accessed February 15, 2013).
3. City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. "City of Portland and Multnomah County Climate Action Plan 2009." City of Portland, Oregon. http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/314522 (accessed February 18, 2013).
4.Mitchell, Kay. " Portland mayor-elect announces bureau changes, council duties | OregonLive.com." Oregon Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - OregonLive.com.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/portland_mayorelect_announces.html (accessed February 18, 2013).
5. (Image) http://portlandmonthlymag.com/data/images/2012/7/image/5899/tanner-springs-park.jpg
Lara Jansen