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Why you are being counted as you walk Portland’s streets
You've probably been counted. Right now, on fifteen downtown intersections, people are sitting about in the cold-ish weather of Portland's December and counting pedestrians. Workers are sitting around and going "click" every single time someone walks by, contributing to a giant pile of numbers about pedestrian traffic. Who are they, though? Why are they there? And why is what they鈥檙e doing at al[...]
Why does Portland have so many dogs? Good urban planning
Portland is awash in dogs. We have a cupcake shop that makes doggy cakes. The North Park Blocks have a Benson Bubbler-esque dog bowl water fountain. Four-footed things that go "woof" are everywhere. So what鈥檚 this mean? Well, it鈥檚 yet another indicator that Portland has historically been pretty good at urban development.
IBM offering Portland’s amazing urban planning program to other cities
Last year, Portland partnered with IBM to test run Smartercities, a program that allows municipal planners to see how a policy decision in one part of city government affects the whole system. According to IBM, the program allows planners to make predictions 25 years into the future. Based upon this experience, IBM is now offering the service to other cities.
Oregon planning departments mull drastic measures to stay afloat
As Oregon cities' budgets absorbed hits, and private-sector construction slowed, many were forced to cut planning departments to their bare bones. But as the building industry begins to rebound, planning departments are being forced to take drastic measures to keep up with day-to-day permitting and prepare for the long term.
Portland to hold symposium for central city development during next 25 years
The economic vitality of Portland's central city area is the focus of an upcoming session of the Central City 2035 Symposium.
Portland urban designers take on Middle East
For six years, a Portland architecture firm has worked to create a thriving metropolis in the deserts of the United Arab Emirates. The firm has performed more than 40 projects in the country and employs 150 people there.
News
- $960,000 office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 10, 2026
- Two projects in historic districts in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 10, 2026
- 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
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
