Urban Studies and Planning Commons^™

Measure For Measure: Benchmarking The Region's Future, Don Barney, Alan Kenneth Delatorre

Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies Publications

Through its Progress Board created in 1989 and Oregon Benchmarks, Oregon has been a leader in collecting and using data to discern statewide trends in dozens of different economic, environmental, and social arenas. Oregon was among the first U.S. states to set targets for the future in each of these categories, allowing its citizens to see how much farther we have to go to achieve livability goals. These benchmarks are grouped under three major areas of a state strategic plan: quality jobs for all Oregonians; safe, caring and eng aged communities; and healthy, sustainable surroundings. Is there real value in …