Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Landscape: 40 Mile Loop & Regional Trails: Park It Here, Shannon Axtell

Metroscape

A brief history and overview of the 40 mile loop and other regional trails in and around the Portland, Oregon area, as well as Metro's 1992 Metropolitan Greenspaces Master Plan and proposed future extensions.

Sustainability: Think Globally, Act Locally, Shannon Axtell

Metroscape

A brief look at developing concepts of sustainability and sustainable development, both from an international as well as an Oregon perspective. Addresses the difficulties faced by cities in their efforts to formulate specific goals and policies for sustainability, and cites several Oregon projects and initiatives that have sustainability as their focus.

Indicators Of The Metroscape: Right Jobs? Right Skills?, Shelley Holly, Arianne Sperry

Metroscape

A look at Oregon Employment Department projections for the Portland Metropolitan Area, with special focus on top ten occupations and the quality of labor required to fill forecasted need.

Periodic Atlas Of The Metroscape: Natural Hazards: Are You At Risk, Tom Sanchez, Scott Burns, Jon Dorwart, Meg Merrick

Metroscape

This edition of the Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape focuses on hazard analysis, and looks at the relative danger of earthquake, flood, landslide, debris flow, lava flow, and radon throughout the Portland area. The maps are printed in 3D format, and the print edition of the Metroscape included special glasses that, when worn, give the maps a 3D appearance.

The Final Frontier: Using Space Under 2040, John Provo

Metroscape

Later this year the Metro Council will face a decision about expansion of the urban growth boundary (UGB). Reaching a verdict on that question will require negotiating the conflicts between the long term regional vision described in Metro's 2040 Plan, short-term economic fluctuations, and specific local concerns. Looking at possible tradeoffs and choices facing the region, panelists at a recent Metroscape™ forum on these topics were asked to discuss the connections among implementation, design, and market challenges involved in planning for the integration of open space with denser development in regional centers.

What follows are excerpts from a panel discussion …

The Unseen Metroscape, Arianne Sperry

Metroscape

A brief photo essay highlighting the quirky, fun, and lesser-known places and attractions in the Portland Metropolitan Area.

Regional Centers: Do They Work?, John Provo

Metroscape

Focusing on Regional Centers and other places designated in 2040, this article is the first in a two part series discussing some of the key concepts of density and open space, inseparably intertwined with our understanding of the region's quality of life. The local implementation of these regional plans will be explored through discussions with local planners, developers , and neighborhood activists. Looking back five years to the visions expressed by the citizens of Clackamas , Multnomah, and Washington Counties in Metro's 2040 plans, how have Metro and local jurisdictions planned for density and open space? How has the market …

The Landscape: St. Helens, Shannon Axtell

Metroscape

A brief overview of the history of Saint Helens, Oregon, and a presentation of the new St. Helens River District Concept Plan.

Periodic Atlas Of The Metroscape: Census 2000: First Take, Tom Sanchez, Meg Merrick, Richard Lycan

Metroscape

The following atlas summarizes some of the primary demographic indicators currently available from the 2000 Census. In addition to changes in settlement patterns and urban form (as indicated by population density patterns), the following maps show the ten-year changes in Hispanic, African-American, and Asian populations. Following these, are maps showing changes in homeownership patterns, household structure, and age characteristics for the region.

Indicators Of The Metroscape: Unemployment, Shelley Holley

Metroscape

Regarding the regional employment rate: is the glass half full or half empty? While the question isn't really that simple, due to the methodology of calculating unemployment rates, it illustrates the classic quandary of ambiguous news. Oregon, like much of the country, has experienced a recent sharp increase in unemployment and the state's jobless rate was declared to be higher than the national average. While this news may appear alarming, in historical context, Oregon's November unemployment rate of 6.4% was not exceptionally high (the rate has since climbed higher). That rate was approximately 65% of the level seen in the …