News

The Forum on Sustainability and the Economy is a discussion series about issues related to livability and economic development in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region, sponsored by the New Economy Observatory at the Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies in PSU's School of Urban Studies and Planning. All forums are free and open to the public.

UPCOMING FORUMS, MARCH 2004
"Does Portland Have the Formula for Being a High-Quality Place?"
Tuesday, March 9, 2 - 4 p.m.
PSU Urban Center's Distance Learning Center, room 304 (506 SW Mill, Portland)
Mary Jo Waits, Morrison Institute for Public Policy, Arizona State University
Good quality of life has been part of Portland's "brand" for years. But the definition of a great place is changing--particularly if the goal is to be a "magnet" locale for top-notch talent and high-end business. Does Portland understand that the new calculation is based on much more than once thought and that nationally the place competition is getting tougher as well?

"Northwest Environment Watch's 'Cascadia Scorecard'"
Friday, March 12, 3 - 5 p.m.
PSU Urban Center's Distance Learning Center, room 204 (506 SW Mill, Portland)
Clark Williams-Derry, research director, Northwest Environmental Watch
The Scorecard puts a spotlight on the long view and the questions that most matter over time: Are we living longer, healthier lives? Are we building strong human communities? Are we handing down to our children a place whose ecosystems are regenerating?

The forums will be broadcast live on the web at http://www.media.pdx.edu (click on Distance Learning Center Stream #1 or #2). On-line viewers may participate in real time, submitting questions via e-mail to imsforum@pdx.edu. More information is available at www.upa.pdx.edu/IMS/about/events.html, where visitors can view past forums via streaming video. E-mail imsforum@pdx.edu to receive e-mail notifications about future events.

UPCOMING FORUMS, APRIL - MAY 2004
In April and May 2004, the Forum on Sustainability and the Economy begins a special four-part series focused on sustainable development in the Portland region, "Designing with the Environment: A Portland Way?" underwritten by an Environmental Partnership Program grant from the Port of Portland. This series will analyze the art, science, politics, policy and bottom-line financial realities of designing buildings, businesses, public institutions and communities with the environment in mind.

"From the Region to the Site: Designing with the Environment in Mind"
Friday, April 2, 3 - 5 p.m.
PSU Urban Center's Distance Learning Center, room 204 (506 SW Mill, Portland)
Robert Yaro, president, Regional Plan Association of New York and chair, Civic Alliance to Rebuild Downtown New York
David Bragdon, president, Metro
Ethan Seltzer, director, PSU's School of Urban Studies and Planning
Sustainable development and green design are often spoken of as a broad set of principles; implementing them means different things to different people. All three forum panelists have been involved in various efforts to design healthier, more sustainable regions and communities and will discuss the fit between regional planning, community design, and sustainable development.

Additional forums in April and May will be announced shortly.

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Release Number: 04-022