Profile

Charles Heying

Associate Professor of Urban Studies and Planning

Community Development, Policy Analysis, Economic Development

Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; M.C.R.P., Iowa State University; B.A., Creighton University

Email: heyingc@pdx.edu 
Phone: (503) 725-8416
Office: Urban Center 370G

Professional Biography

Dr. Heying is interested in the interrelationship of private, nonprofit and public sectors in market economies, community engagement, institutional network analysis, and artisan economies.  When he joined the faculty at Portland State in 1996, he offered one of the first courses on green economics, focusing on holistic approaches to development, the implications of climate change, and competition with market forces.  He describes himself as collaborative, hands-on, and a bit unconventional, qualities that also characterize his recent book, Brew to Bikes: Portland’s Artisan Economy.

Research

As part of his collaborative and hands-on approach, Dr. Heying actively encourages student involvement in his work.  In writing and editing Brew to Bikes, for example, Dr. Heying enlisted the help of 16 writers and researchers, most of who were students.  The book itself is a description of Portland’s artisan-based economy with chapters focusing on different artisan sectors including beer, food, fashion, music, and bikes.  In these chapters, differences between the artisan economy and industrial economy are highlighted.  In the artisan economy, for example, living and working spaces are often co-mingled. Production is tied to the locality, is at a small scale, and celebrates authenticity and material distinction rather than strict uniformity.  Dr. Heying points out that these production characteristics have consequences, however, that may not be in line with artisan values; product prices tend to be higher, and non-local sales are often required to maintain operations in some sectors.
Dr. Heying argues that Portland’s successful artisan economy has established its own location-based identity that signifies high quality and superior design.  The open exchange of ideas and resources among artisans, as well as commitment to cooperation, have expanded the production knowledge base and improved the quality of local products.  These interactions, along with the merging of living and working spaces, have enhanced community engagement through a business structure.

Teaching

Like his research, Dr. Heying’s teaching is interactive.  He has a special interest in developing interactive learning activities. These include small group class exercises, non-traditional student presentations, interactive computer exercises, and primary data research.  He emphasizes class discussions based on journal articles and often requires that students conduct a community-based project to supplement their studies.  Dr. Heying has recently taught Sociology and Politics of Urban Life, Community Development Colloquium, Political Economy of Nonprofit Organizations, and Green Economics and Sustainable Development.

Community

In addition to his teaching and research, Dr. Heying is actively involved in Portland’s neighborhood associations and social enterprise movement.  He is on the board of directors of Café au Play, a non-profit organization that supports a neighborhood coffeehouse where adults and children meet to develop relationships and share ideas.  Built from recycled materials, the coffeehouse features energy efficient lighting and appliances inside. Its exterior offers environmentally friendly green spaces and a water infiltration system intended to divert water from the city sewers.