Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Food Cartology: Rethinking Urban Spaces As People Places, Hannah Kapell, Peter Katon, Amy Koski, Jingping Li, Colin Price, Karen Thalhammer

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

The Urban Vitality Group (UVG) partnered with the City of Portland, Bureau of Planning to study the effects that food carts have on street vitality and neighborhood livability. The number of food carts within the city seems to be growing, while the City lacks sufficient knowledge about the industry to guide policy. The purpose of the study was to assess the benefits and negative consequences of allowing food carts within the city and to ascertain what economic opportunities may be offered by food carts, especially for low-income and minority entrepreneurs. The findings indicate that food carts have significant community benefits …