Free Newsletter
Keeping cool by design
Planners, architects and urban foresters are all working to help reduce the heat island effect in cities like Portland.
Blog: Upping the game in regional transportation planning
As Metro begins the planning process that will lead to the development of the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan update, it's important the agency adopt a visionary approach.
Kessinger reappointed to county planning board
Jim Kessinger will server another four-year term on Multnomah County's planning commission.
Blog: Good planning and the market
Placing blame on government for issues like affordable housing is to misunderstand the way the private market works, writes urban planner Brian Campbell.
BLOG: Teardowns and other hot neighborhood issues
In the past I’ve talked a lot about the main areas of growth and development for Portland’s long-term future 鈥� the urban centers and major corridors. But recently a number […]
OP-ED: The difficulty of paying for infrastructure
Financing infrastructure is always a challenge 鈥� and nowhere more than in Portland where we are in front-row seats to a slugfest led by Mayor Charlie Hales and City Councilman […]
BLOG: Making higher density work
In the past I’ve written quite a bit about the reliance the city of Portland has placed on its 鈥渃enters and corridors鈥� strategy to absorb most of the new residential […]
BLOG: Houston vs. Portland
I made another trip to Houston last week, which provoked some thoughts about the contrast between what has happened as a result of planning in Portland over the last few […]
Milwaukie prepping for orange line
Milwaukie city officials are looking to encourage development ahead of the arrival of light rail.
The ‘Walmartization’ of France?
The last couple of posts I’ve talked about some of the planning issues in Houston, including issues having to do with 鈥渨alkability鈥� and livability generally. I also recently spent time […]
OP-ED: Balancing industrial and environmental concerns
For the past several months and years there has been a debate about coal export from the state of Oregon. In the proposed model, coal would be shipped via rail […]
BLOG: Is Houston the most livable city?
Last time I talked about Houston’s incredibly poor walkability 鈥� a major attribute of what makes a community livable. Of course, there are many measurements one could devise for defining […]
News
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $10.6 million in top bidders | July 31, 2026
- Many Oregon counties struggling to maintain their fairgrounds
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
