Prior
to our visit I didn’t realize just how big a focus there was on active transportation
in Portland, particularly the commitment to walkable neighborhoods and cycle
infrastructure. Also of interest was the development approach behind light rail or
streetcar connections but I did note the primary concern was always around
transport and linking neighbourhoods and then to look at development. This
might seem obvious but the limited success of other US cities that have tried
to replicate the Portland approach may be due to using rail transport primarily
as a development tool.
Funding
issues are a constant but having no sales tax makes things particularly
difficult for local government in Portland and they have resorted to various
methods to finance transport infrastructure and redevelopment. The use of tax increment
financing for urban renewal projects is one method, although the success in areas
where this technique has been used like the Pearl District is somewhat tempered
by the gentrification that drives out local residents. California recently
banned TIF for this very reason. Another funding mechanism was the use of a
wage-based tax for businesses located along the streetcar rout, this was also
aided by private funding for shelters at stops.
I
believe as side effect of committing to a strong UGB that constrains outward
expansion has created an environment where there is a willingness to experiment. The cable car connection between OHSU and South Waterfront is a perfect case
of coming up with a creative solution to a problem that would struggle to get a
hearing in many jurisdictions.
The
most pressing problem seems to be how Portland can sort out its housing issues.
In a way the city is a victim of its own success, with the large homeless community
a visible reminder that there are many who have not shared in Portland’s
growth. The growth of inequality suggests many of the development approaches used
to revitalize cities may even exacerbate the problem. Convincing state
legislature of need for measures that allow local government to level some sort
of development guarantee around social housing will probably be just the start
to restoring balance around inequality.
Will Bakes
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