Urban Studies Commons^™

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 …

Town Center Vision, Caroline Chapman, Jacqueline Gruber, Neil Riordan

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

In December 2010, City Council passed Resolution 2261 which directed the City’s Committee for Citizen Involvement (CCI) to prepare a more formal action plan for smart growth and sustainability. Emerald Solutions, a team of Portland State Master’s students, was tasked with furthering these efforts by completing a Sustainability and Smart Growth Pilot Plan for the Town Center Pilot Area (TCPA). The plan works to develop a complete concept, structure, and community outreach process that will guide the City in the creation of a broader, citywide plan. This project was conducted under the supervision of Sumner Sharpe and Ellen Bassett.

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.

Oak Grove Neighborhood Center Plan, Adam Bartini, Åsa Bergman, Alicia Crain, Carley Francis, Kathryn Mcgovern, Nathan Mcneil

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

Foothill Planning worked with the Oak Lodge Community Council and Clackamas County Urban Green to create an Oak Grove Neighborhood Center Plan. The plan sought to foster a more livable and sustainable community by strengthening the Oak Grove historic business district and improving its connections with the planned Park Avenue MAX station via two transportation corridors, McLoughlin Boulevard and the Trolley Trail. The project articulated ways that these corridors can serve as gateways into the Oak Grove neighborhood and help to revitalize the community. Cognizant of neighborhood concerns regarding previous planning process, the project relied on community input to shape …

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.

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 …

Growing Zenger Farm, Turhan Sonmez, Elizabeth Milner, Stacey Glenewinkel, Kate Carone

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

Zenger Farm is a working urban farm in outer southeast Portland, Oregon, that promotes sustainable food systems, environmental stewardship and local economic development. Currently operating on 6 acres of farmland and 10 acres of wetland, the farm has an opportunity to expand onto 4 additional acres of adjacent land, and has asked Ecotone to help maximize the potential of that expansion. Growing Zenger Farm is a unique opportunity to learn how urban agriculture can best address the needs of communities. Food security, community development, education, economic development and environmental stewardship are components of Zenger's stated mission and goals and are …

Harvesting Opportunity: A Strategic Vision For Farmworker Housing And Microenterprise In Washington County, Nadine Appenbrink, Raihana Ansary, Elizabeth Decker, Kate Mcquillan, Karla Nelson, Emily Picha

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

Farmworkers in Washington County face stagnant incomes, limited opportunities and a shortage of affordable, quality housing. In this six month workshop project, Tierra Planning explored the connection between quality affordable housing and economic development opportunities for farmworkers in Washington County. We worked with stakeholders, regulators, landowners and farmworkers to identify barriers, opportunities and alternatives. Our final product was a "strategic vision" that included both general recommendations and recommendations specific to Washington County based on extensive research, outreach, and alternatives analysis. Our hope is that our work will spark discourse among local farmers, housing developers, and policy makers in the Portland …

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.

Reshaping The Planning Agenda, Heidi Guenin, Bob Kellett, Vivian Siu, Lindsay Walker, Jenny Weinstein

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

Housing Land Advocates and AARP Oregon have identified that the participation of older adults in the planning process in Clackamas County is not leading to outcomes that address their needs. One potential barrier to advocacy is older adults' lack of understanding of the planning process. A better informed population of older adults will lead to more effective participation in planning processes and an increased ability to advocate for their needs. Another potential barrier may be the way in which planners engage older adults in planning. Through better engagement strategies there will be better outcomes. This project was conducted under the …

20 Minutes In West Portland Park: Opportunities For Access, Ali Demersseman, Dana Dickman, Nuin-Tara Key, Laura Spidell, Sara Wright

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

Exploring the planning concept of the "20-minute neighborhood" and analyzing the feasibility of applying the concept to the West Portland Park neighborhood. We also seek to engage the community in a meaningful discussion about the future of West Portland Park in order to help the community begin to build the connections and tools necessary to play an active role in future planning efforts." This project was conducted under the supervision of Sy Adler and Ethan Seltzer.

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, …

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, …

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 …

Foodability, Kim Armstrong, April Chastain, Stephanie Vanrheen, Steve White, Elizabeth Chapin, Julia Person

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

The Portland Plan will consider current physical and socioeconomic conditions and trends and help establish shared visions, goals, and policies to guide the efforts of BPS and other city agencies over the next 20 years. BPS is interested in addressing food access issues in the Portland Plan, but does not have a defined, stakeholder-supported vision for food access. The Foodabilty project is developing a vision, goals, and strategy recommendations for food access in Portland that can be used to ground and direct future actions by the City and other organizations. It is supported by a set of maps displaying the …

Humboldt Community Action Plan, Sara Bedinghaus, Nikolai Ursin, Morgan Masterman, Mark Gilbert, Lizzy Warren

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

Mosaic is working to develop an action plan that will enable the community to better address their concerns. The Humboldt neighborhood is one of the most diverse and rapidly changing areas in the Portland area, constantly challenging the neighborhood association's efforts to reach a diverse, representative population of residents. Through concerted outreach, interviews, and workshops Mosaic Planning has identified a series of goals the neighborhood hopes to one day realize. By thoroughly researching methods to achieve these goals, the group will provide a series of action items to the community, which can be implemented by residents. This plan will help …

Neighborhood Climate Action Planning Handbook, Hannah Dondy-Kaplan, Erica Timm, Beth Cohen, Dyami Valentine, Mariah Vanzerr, Devin Moller

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

The City of Portland and Multnomah County are developing new plans and policies to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals of 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. To meet these new steep reduction targets, actions will be needed at every level of society. While neighborhoods have historically received little attention as a means of addressing climate change, they are ideally suited to bring people together to bridge the gap between individual actions and higher level government policies. To help neighborhoods develop strategies and actions to address climate change, C-Change Consultants worked with the Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Coalition to create a Neighborhood …

Bin Half Full: Construction Waste Recycling Solutions, Mary L. Grothaus, Melissa Johnston, Shaun Roland, Christina Skellenger, Amy Twilegar

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

According to the City of Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development (OSD), construction, remodeling, and demolition (CR&D) waste comprises 20 percent of the City’s waste stream. Additionally, per capita waste generation in this sector is increasing faster than in the residential or commercial sectors. However, the current amount of CR&D waste that is landfilled can be reduced: 90 percent of the waste from a typical project can be diverted from landfill disposal. Although OSD currently requires that 50 percent of CR&D waste from every project is recycled, the City estimates that contractors recycle slightly less than this. OSD’s Portland Recycles! Plan …

Imagine 82nd, Jamison Kelleher, Sue Lewis, Daniel Pauly, Steven L. Szigethy, Kenya D. Williams

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

Imagine 82nd is a corridor vision plan for NE 82nd Avenue of Roses between the Banfield Expressway and Sandy Boulevard. Based on a community-driven process, it describes and illustrates what the avenue can be, envisioned by those who live, work, and go to school there. This project was conducted under the supervision of Sy Adler and Ethan Seltzer.

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.

Vernonia 2020 Vision: A Plan For The Future, Mathew Berkow, Maria Ellis, Oren Eshel, Harleen Kaur, Terra Lingley, Colin Maher, Stephen Shackman, Ariana Tipper, George Zaninovich

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

The Vernonia 2020 Vision Plan was an endeavor by the City of Vernonia to involve citizens in long-term resiliency planning and visioning to complement the short-term recovery effort following a 500-year flood in December 2007. Bridges Planning Group facilitated the process, over the course of which residents identified the highest-priority barriers to resiliency and past and present efforts to overcome these barriers. This project was conducted under the supervision of Sy Adler and Ethan Seltzer.

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 …

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.

Action Plan Report: Aurora 2017 Vision Implementation, Delia Chi, Diana Hale, Laurie Miskimins, Joe Recker, Jeannine Rustad

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

In early 2007, the City of Aurora Planning Commission sought the assistance of JDL Planning, a consultant team consisting of five members in the Masters ofUrban and Regional Planning program at Portland State University, to update the City's 1995 Vision. JDL Planning guided an intensive visioning process to capture the current values of both new and long-time residents and businessowners. 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.

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.

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.

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 …

Kalama's Front Yard: A Preliminary Waterfront Site Plan For The Port Of Kalama, Kenneth Rencher, Michelle Miller, Lisa Hendriksen, Leslie Hamilton

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

The Kalama Waterfront Preliminary Site Plan sets the groundwork and approach for development of an underutilized 33-acre tract owned by the Port of Kalama. The Plan is intended for the Port of Kalama to use as a starting point for waterfront development. The Plan and implementation strategies will aid the Port by providing a conceptual view of the waterfront and a process by which to begin putting the vision of Kalama's Front Yard in motion. This project was conducted under the supervision of Sy Adler, Deborah Howe, Connie Ozawa, and Sumner Sharpe.

Local Lunches: Planning For Local Produce In Portland Schools, Lisa Anderson, Katherine Krajnak, Lisa Libby, Meghan Mackenzie, Sumi Malik, Katie Shriver

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

In the 1990s, school districts across the country began to integrate fresh food grown by local producers into school meals and snacks. School food authorities and farmers have broadly defined this new movement, called “Farm to School,” as connecting schools and local and regional farmers. Farm to School programs benefit a community’s economy, improve student nutrition, and strengthen education curricula. Local Lunches seeks to initiate Farm to School efforts in Portland, Oregon, by identifying specific strategies that Portland’s school districts can use to incorporate more local produce in their school meals. This project was conducted under the supervision of Sy …