Urban Studies and Planning Commons^™

Getting Green To Work In The Northwest Industrial District, Stefan Heisler, Sara Ivey, Alexis Kelso, Ryu Sakuma, John Dornoff, Dianne Yee

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

Forest Park and its surrounding watershed experience measurable environmental problems such as urban heat island impacts, increased storm water runoff containing pollutants, fragmentations of habitat connectivity due to their proximities to high-impact land uses, poor air quality, absence of public space, and lack of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Getting Green to Work in the Northwest Industrial District identifies strategies to address environmental issues that affect local human and environmental health in the Northwest Indusrial District, Forest Park and the Willamette River, while benefiting local businesses workers and firms. Getting Green to Work explores voluntary approaches to address local environmental problems …

The Landscape: Activating The Waterfront, Jeremy Young

Metroscape

This article discusses ideas from a 6-month project (Downtown Portland Waterfront Activation Strategy) completed by a team of students in PSU’s Masters in Urban and Regional Planning program.

Downtown Portland Waterfront Activation Strategy, Rachel Cotton, Janai Kessi, Eve Nilenders, Lauren Russell, Andrew Yaden, Jeremy Young

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

Despite longstanding ambitions and multiple planning efforts, Portland’s goal of embracing and enhancing the Willamette River as the heart of the central city has only been partially fulfilled. The removal of an expressway and the creation of Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park in the 1970s and the river’s recently improved environmental quality represent major successes. However, few opportunities exist for park visitors to use the river for recreation, and Portland’s downtown waterfront lacks vibrancy, largely as the result of difficult or unclear connections to the downtown business district, surrounding neighborhoods, and the eastside. Additionally, public use of the park, a …

Fresh Look Milwaukie: Downtown Road Map, Carine Arendes, Jeffery Butts, Ryan Lemay, Erica Smith, Iren Taran

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

The Fresh Look Milwaukie: Downtown Road Map project was a collaboration between ALIGN planning, City of Milwaukie staff, and over 300 fantastic Milwaukie community members, to plan for an improved Downtown. Through the project, City staff and ALIGN planning identified shared Milwaukie community values and analyzed how those values interact with current Downtown plans, as well as current physical and economic conditions. This document provides recommendations that are accompanied by concrete strategies to support a vibrant Downtown Milwaukie in the short and long-term future. The recommendations are the project team’s interpretation of community desires, transformed into policy direction and planning …

Alley Allies, Scotty Ellis, Katie Hughes, Derek Dauphin, Sarah Isbitz, Shavon Caldwell, Liz Paterson

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

This is the guiding document for the project and sets the stage for the potential of alley re-use in the Foster Corridor. It includes: A 2020 vision statement; a project overview; context regarding the importance of alley revitalization; and our recommendations. The intended audience for this document is the leadership of the project, the non-profits and other organizations who will be involved in the project’s implementation, and the City agencies who will play a critical role in facilitating the successful repurposing of these alleys.

This document describes the development of the project during the planning phase, including the public engagement …

Urban Studies: Ecodistrict Research, Ethan Seltzer

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Publications and Presentations

This presentation focuses on the central ideas of EcoDistricts

A Capping Case Study: Integrating Freight Rail Into A Community Setting, Jeff Schnabel, Tristan Brasseur

TREC Final Reports

This investigation seeks to explore specific design solutions that could potentially enhance the capabilities of heavy rail facilities while increasing their safety and reducing their environmental and community impacts.

Using Portland's Brooklyn Rail Yard as the study site, this case study explored the potential of structural platforms (caps) built above the existing rail yards to provide development space for expanding rail capacity and rail related activities. The potential for capping to reduce /eliminate conflicts between rail and non-rail uses will also be investigated. Finally, the various designs were presented for caps at the rail yard.

Capping projects (the development of …

Amplify Pdx, Becky Bodonyi, Julia Crain, Rowan Steele, David West

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

A two-pronged process, AmplifyPDX required managing two parallel and concurrent but mutually informative processes: creation of the Community Assessment Workbook as well as implementation of the Workbook in a particular community. To develop the Workbook, Mosaic Planning Group conducted a literature review, assembled an Advisory Committee and interviewed key informants with expertise on neighborhood planning, community organizing, and the Portland metropolitan region. Finally, in order to develop a user-friendly and effective community assessment workbook, Mosaic Planning Group tested certain elements of the Workbook in the Southeast Portland neighborhoods of Brentwood-Darlington and Woodstock. This project was conducted under the supervision of …

Portland Mercado: Community Economic Development To Revitalize, Uplift, And Empower, Abigail Cermak, David Ruelas, Bridger Wineman, Ellen Wyoming

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

Realizing public goals of an inclusive and vibrant society requires an advocacy approach to urban planning and economic development. Adelante Planning outlines strategies based on research and case studies to successfully implement a Mercado as an economic development and business incubation strategy for Portland’s Latino community. A Mercado is a strategic planning approach targeted toward Latino populations and other minorities, particularly in gentrifying locations of the Portland Metro region.

This project was conducted under the supervision of Ellen Bassett, Lisa Bates, Karen Gibson, Ken Pirie, and Sumner Sharpe.

Roadway Not Improved: Exploring Temporary Uses And Community-Based Alternatives For Unimproved Streets, Leah Hyman, Al Klein, Rani Boyle, Katie Lynd, Emily Lieb

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

The Woodstock neighborhood of SE Portland is home to a high concentration of unimproved streets. Through conversations with the Woodstock Neighborhood Association and representatives at City of Portland agencies, LARKE Planning identified a disconnect between City street policies and residents' desires and concerns surrounding unimproved streets. Through Roadway Not Improved, LARKE is exploring temporary uses and community-based alternatives that will provide more flexibility to respond to the variations that exist among streets' physical characteristics and residents' visions for how these streets can or should contribute to neighborhood character and livability. Although the project focuses specifically on the Woodstock neighborhood, LARKE …

Willamette Park Assessment And Recommendations, Julia Babcock, Bernadette Le, Maren Murphy, Amy Rossa

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

The vision of the project was to prioritize park improvements that balance the long-term sustainability and viability of the park with growing user demands. As a hybrid park, Willamette Park has a unique set of challenges related to its operations and management, as it is managed for both recreation and natural areas. The final report documents the process QPG undertook to explore opportunities and constraints in Willamette Park, and provides recommendations to guide the future planning of the park.

This project was conducted under the supervision of Sumner Sharpe and Ellen Bassett.

Gateway Ecodistrict Pilot Study, Michael Budds, Erin Reome, Dan Schauer, Aaron Wilson

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

The Gateway EcoDistrict Pilot Study used site conditions, community priorities, and plans for future growth and development to recommend catalyst projects. The study’s objectives included raising awareness about the EcoDistrict concept, mapping physical and social assets conducive to an EcoDistrict, and identifying organizations interested in management of the pilot EcoDistrict. An assessment of opportunities and constraints to establishing an EcoDistrict in Gateway served as a corollary part of the study. This project was conducted under the supervision of Sumner Sharpe and Ellen Bassett.

No Vacancy, Rebecca Dann, Beth Somerfield, Emily Rice, Briana Meier

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

Vacant lots and buildings, whether in stages of redevelopment or decline, are spaces in flux. Left unused, these empty spaces can pose difficult challenges for their owners and surrounding neighborhoods; however, the uncertain futures of vacant sites also present unique opportunities for a variety of temporary uses. In partnership with the Central Eastside Industrial Council, LocusLab is exploring the potential to enliven the Central Eastside Industrial District by activating vacant spaces with temporary activities and developments. We've worked to: uncover potential benefits of temporary use; find ways to overcome barriers faced by temporary projects; initiate a conversation between property owners, …

Washington Park Access & Circulation Plan, Ray Delahanty, Cathy Cibor, Mallory Atkinson, Brendon Haggerty, Talia Jacobson, David Amiton

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

Portland's Washington Park is home to many of the region's most popular educational, recreational, and tourist attractions. As demand for these attractions continues to grow, the quality of transportation services offered at the park increasingly contribute - in ways both positive and negative - to the quality of the overall user experience. Recognizing the interplay between transportation and user experience, New Leaf Planning has worked closely with its client, the newly formed Washington Park Alliance, to identify transportation challenges and opportunities for improvement within Washington Park. This partnership will culminate in a Washington Park Access & Circulation Plan, which will …

Cully Main Street: A Plan For Community-Serving Improvements, Daniel Costantino, Lani Edghill, Mary-Rain O'Meara, Jason Wallace

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

The Cully Main Street is defined by Metro's Region 2040 Plan and includes parts of NE Cully Blvd and NE Killingsworth St. Our mission is to provide the Cully community with a plan to encourage the location of more and better neighborhood businesses and services within a short distance of their homes and in a walkable and bikeable environment. Our approach is grounded in the belief that economic development at the local level should benefit the current community, by maintaining and promoting neighborhood livability and safety improvements. The major product of this project will be a set of zoning, infrastructure, …

Connections & Edges: 2040 Lincoln District Vision Plan, Andrew Bean, Luke Bonham, Krista Carpenter, Pete Collins, Daniel Costantino, Early Ewing, Kent Gentry, Mark Gilbert, Yuki Hayashi, Amy Hesse, Kaleen Hyde, Zeljka Carol Kekez, Daniel Lyvers, Briana Meier, Terra Wilcoxson

Urban Design Workshop

The Lincoln Vision Plan presents a concept for the evolution of Portland’s south downtown into a place where state-of-the-art resource management practices, unique systems of public open spaces, and a variety of transit options will support a vibrant, dynamic, high density, ecologically-friendly neighborhood. It is our hope that this Plan, created by Portland State University’s spring 2008 Urban Design Workshop, can serve as a foundation for further discussion and action to bring to life the immense potential underlying this district.

This project was conducted under the supervision of Donald J. Stastny and Edward Starkie.

Periodic Atlas Of The Metroscape: A Geography Of Opportunity: Maps From The Regional Equity Atlas, Kenneth Radin, Meg Merrick, Vivek Shandas

Metroscape

Atlas of poverty levels, distribution of wealth, and demographics in the Portland Metro Area.

Se 122nd Avenue Enhancement Study, Alejandro Bancke, William Elder, Joy Hunt, Caroline Leary, Markus Mead, Cassera Phipps

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

The City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning would like to explore opportunities for strengthening the PowellhurstGilbert Neighborhood’s sense of place through mixed-use and/or neighborhood-based commercial development, improved residential and commercial design, and by creating linkages to existing community assets, such as parks and commercial areas. This project expands upon existing plans by incorporating community preferences, market and land use analyses, and urban design strategies to generate neighborhood commercial use and placemaking alternatives for SE 122 nd Avenue. This project was conducted under the supervision of Sy Adler and Ethan Seltzer.

The Landscape: Quiet Places, Elizabeth Mylott, Kenya D. Williams

Metroscape

How does sound affect the urban experience? Recently, acoustics ecologists who study relationships among human beings, communities, and environments have been drawing attention to the potential adverse and pleasurable effects of aural surroundings on physical and behavioral responses. Such reactions to soundscapes are often unnoticed due to passive hearing versus active listening. Cities are often dismissed as loud areas with noisy and annoying soundscapes. However, some parks and gardens within cities are designed, at least in part, for calm and quiet.

Indicators Of The Metroscape: Immigration, Elizabeth Mylott

Metroscape

The number of immigrants living and working in the metroscape is increasing. In 2005, the foreign born population numbered 250,955, a dramatic increase from the 1990 level of 88,072. Not only are more immigrants settling here, but the proportion of the population who is foreign born is also increasing—from 5.96% in 1990 to 12% in 2005.

Main Street Parkrose, Doug Bruchs, Laura Butler, Todd Johnson, Sean Mccusker, Brian Monberg, Erik Rundell

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

PlanPDX worked to assess existing district conditions and assist in the development of goals for the district that could inform and guide future improvement efforts. Utilizing a variety of research methods including community outreach efforts, in-person interviews, technical analysis and organizing two well-attended community workshops, the Vision Team and PlanPDX successfully generated a set of recommendations for Main Street Park Rose. This project was conducted under the supervision of Ethan Seltzer and Sumner Sharpe.

Westside Trail Feasibility Study: An Analysis Of Opportunities And Constraints, Amanda Owings, Kate Lyman, Kim Voros, Paul Herman Wachana, Ted Reid, Tomoko Kanai

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

This team provided Metro with an assessment of conditions along the power line corridor on the proposed Westside Trail. The team developed trail goals and objectives, as well as criteria by which to assess the study area. The final product highlights opportunities and constraints for meeting the trail's goals and objectives, and a set of recommendations for the trail. This project was conducted under the supervision of Ethan Seltzer and Sumner Sharpe.

Evolution Of An Academic Village: Vision For Inner South Portland, Scott Beattie, Manzell Blakeley, Allen Davis, Malia Kalahele, Alexander Moore, Michael Pina, Thomas Rousculp, Sky Rousse, Sierra Gardiner, Nick Ofcacek, Oren Eshel, Harleen Kaur, Kenya Williams, Rey Erickson

Urban Design Workshop

This vision of an Academic Village is a culmination of three months of work by 12 students in the Spring 2007 Urban Design Workshop at Portland State University. Our understanding of the Academic Village arose out of an exploration of connections between neighboring academic institutions – Portland State University, Oregon Health and Sciences University on Marquam Hill, and OHSU’s emerging campus on the South Waterfront – and the Corbett and Lair Hill neighborhoods. We discovered that people from these institutions and communities live, work, study, and play in a shared urban space, but that the potential for creating an Academic …

Mitgation And Conservation Banks: Report For River Plan Consideration, Matt Harding, John Hazlett, Matt Lustig, Anita Macauley

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

The project investigated and analyzed potential program mechanisms, receiving sites and funding opportunities for off-site mitigation. River Plan staff will use feedback received from the River Plan Committee and others to further development of an off-site mitigation program. This project was conducted under the supervision of Ethan Seltzer and Sumner Sharpe.

Inclusive Business Prosperity In North/Northeast Portland, Max Coffman, Renee Garrels, Erin Grushon, Sarah Logiudice, Sanela Ruznic, Sara Vonde Veld

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

Building Business Equity undertook a research study on the nature of commercial displacement. Demographic data and anecdotal evidence suggest that major shifts are occurring in the population and commercial markets in inner N/NE Portland. Therefore, BBE chose to identify and evaluate strategies to assist minority, women owned and emerging small businesses (MWESB) in the area. This project was conducted under the supervision of Ethan Seltzer and Sumner Sharpe.

Periodic Atlas Of The Metroscape: The Geography Of Water, Vivek Shandas, Alton Straub, Yongxia Kou

Metroscape

Atlas of water districts and water use in the Portland Metro Area.

Gateway Gardens Site Analysis, Chris Gage, Rory Renfro, Jessica Sarver, Ben Sturtz, Nicole Wolters

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

The Gateway Gardens Site Analysis takes a comprehensive look at a largely-vacant land area in Portland’s Gateway District. Currently owned by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), the 38-acre site currently serves as right-of-way for surrounding freeways, namely Interstates 84 and 205.

The project team developed a sequential process for completing this report. To gain an understanding of the project site, the initial step consisted of identifying key historical events and land uses that formed the site into what it is today. The team then conducted an in-depth existing conditions analysis, covering a wide range of elements including natural and …

Destination: Lents, Andrew Gulizia, Kristen Kibler, Vanessa Meyer, Rebecca Stavenjord, Meganne Steele

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

Recognizing these promising new developments in Lents, Crossroads Consulting approached LNA Board Officers with an offer to provide assistance through the 2006 Workshop course. A subcommittee representing LNA's board accepted the Crossroads Consulting proposal to identify quickly implementable improvement strategies to create momentum and foster a sense of optimism about Lents Town Center revitalization. Neighbors would like to see improvements made now to help improve Lents' image as a special place. Three areas were selected for attention: Imageability- The sense of being in a unique, cohesive neighborhood Streetscape quality- Pedestrian comfort and accessibility Getting "feet on the street" in Lents …

Milwaukie Ave Main Street Plan, Sine Adams, Matt Johnson, Lance Lindahl, Kate Marcello, Erin Wilson

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

This plan provides an analysis of Milwaukie Avenue as a neighborhood Main Street and provides recommendations for its growth and improvement. Methods of analysis included a comprehensive land use and transportation safety inventory, data collection from neighborhood residents and master of urban and regional planning students, comparison to other Main Streets, and feedback from a technical advisory committee. The analysis shows that Milwaukie Avenue has great potential as a Main Street, although improvements in the existing zoning code and transportation infrastructure will greatly benefit its condition. Other features, including Green Streets and elements that provide neighborhood identity, will also improve …

Going Public! Strategies For Meeting Public Restroom Need In Portland's Central City, Josh Ahmann, Kevin Bond, Warren Greaser, Sarah Selden, Amber Springberg, Kartik Srinivas, Jon Swae

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

PSU Urban & Regional Planning graduate students contacted the Office of Mayor Tom Potter with a proposal to conduct an in-depth analysis of Portland's public restrooms. The PSU team, Relief Works, and the Mayor's Office agreed to explore the issues and potential solutions surrounding demand and supply of public restrooms within Portland's Central City. This report is Relief Works' final product for the Office of the Mayor. This project was conducted under the supervision of Sy Adler, Deborah Howe, Connie Ozawa, and Sumner Sharpe.