91ÊÓƵ

Oregon’s statewide land-use system has been named one of the United States’ top 25 innovations in government.

The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government on Wednesday announced that have brought about unique solutions to societal problems. The 25 innovations, selected from a pool of 560 concepts, include solutions in health and wellness, social services delivery, the environment, economic development and education policy.

Oregon has had its current land-use system in place since 1973, which allows for local and regional government implementation with statewide oversight. Currently, the system is guided by 19 goals that are addressed in city and county comprehensive plans.

The Oregon system was created to protect productive farmland and natural resources facing urban sprawl in the 1970s. The system has both supporters and opposition, but very few can argue that it’s anything but thorough.

The only other government from the northwest to crack the list is King County in Washington. The county was recognized for establishing Washington’s Funder Group, a multi-jurisdictional leadership body that establishes regional priorities for homeless housing and services.

The selection makes the Oregon land-use system a semi-finalist for the Harvard American Government Award, which will be announced sometime this fall.