What is Land Use Planning?
“Land-use planning is the systematic assessment of land and water potential, alternatives for land use and economic and social conditions in order to select and adopt the best land-use options” (1).
The idea behind good land-use planning is to develop the best means possible for the greater good of all stakeholders, habitats, and resources involved, and although somewhere, someone or something will need to give; a best case scenario is ideal (1). Minus a learning curve in the early years, Portland, Oregon has consistently proven to set high standards for land-use plans over the decades across the globe.
Is Land Use Policy an Issue?
There often seems to be some misconception about land-use planning depending on who is asked. Some believe that land-use planning is merely a political tool to control property owners, small business, and corporations. And although that may be true to a certain extent, conflict over land is inevitable; particularly without political intervention.
The demands for agriculture, grazing, forestry, biodiversity, tourism and development are increasingly greater than available land resources. Even regions where land is still undeveloped, many face scarce access to the natural resources that land can provide. Facing scarcity, the deprivation of farmland, clean air, forests and potable water, individual land owners and stewards lack the resources and overall incentives to sustain it as a whole.
Historically, poor land-use planning has led to unnecessary conflict, exploitation of resources, failed designs, and excess pollution (1). Portland is a shining example of how proactive and informed land use planning can help lead to the greater benefit of all.
The demands for agriculture, grazing, forestry, biodiversity, tourism and development are increasingly greater than available land resources. Even regions where land is still undeveloped, many face scarce access to the natural resources that land can provide. Facing scarcity, the deprivation of farmland, clean air, forests and potable water, individual land owners and stewards lack the resources and overall incentives to sustain it as a whole.
Historically, poor land-use planning has led to unnecessary conflict, exploitation of resources, failed designs, and excess pollution (1). Portland is a shining example of how proactive and informed land use planning can help lead to the greater benefit of all.
Portland Land Use Briefing
Like many cities in this great nation, Portland, Oregon has seen countless physical changes over the decades. From the pioneer days of the early-19th century, through the electricity boom, to the turn of the century amusement park craze, and the World War shipping yards, through the tech era, until now; it seems as though Portland has seen a little bit of everything. Having a seemingly endless supply of wood, water, and land, The City of Roses has grown steadily to its current state; a beautiful, vibrant, and relatively sustainable city in the Northwest.
The following pages will summarize Portland’s Land Use Planning evolution and chronology. Let us begin our journey through Portland’s history in a narrative devoted to the Early Land Use of 1851 to 1917. The narrative pages will follow through three more major time frames of Portland’s land use planning history of the World War Days, Modern Land Use, and everything Since 1990.
The following pages will summarize Portland’s Land Use Planning evolution and chronology. Let us begin our journey through Portland’s history in a narrative devoted to the Early Land Use of 1851 to 1917. The narrative pages will follow through three more major time frames of Portland’s land use planning history of the World War Days, Modern Land Use, and everything Since 1990.
Portland Comparison from Kings Heights with Mt. Hood Backdrop. 1912 vs. Modern
1. Natural Resources Management and Environmental Department. "Guidelines for land-use planning." FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, for a world without hunger. http://www.fao.org/docrep/T0715E/T0715E00.htm (accessed February 17, 2013).
2. (Image) "Metro: Regional vision: The 2040 Growth Concept." Metro: Welcome to Metro. http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id =29882 (accessed March 5, 2013).
3. (Image) Solomon, R. "Archives & Records Management." City of Portland, Oregon. http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?c=26978 (accessed February 20, 2013).
4. (Image) Cressler, Alan. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericinsf/favorites/page13/?view=lg (accessed February 20, 2013).
2. (Image) "Metro: Regional vision: The 2040 Growth Concept." Metro: Welcome to Metro. http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id =29882 (accessed March 5, 2013).
3. (Image) Solomon, R. "Archives & Records Management." City of Portland, Oregon. http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?c=26978 (accessed February 20, 2013).
4. (Image) Cressler, Alan. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericinsf/favorites/page13/?view=lg (accessed February 20, 2013).
Jesse Ellison