Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 |2004| 2003

Reimagining Weston

Mountains to Main: Nathan Emerson, Zach Gustafson, Holly Howell, Carrie Pipinich, Matthew Rohrbach.

Client: City of Weston, Oregon.

Final Document: Reimagining Weston: A Community Vision and Downtown Revitalization Plan for Weston, Oregon.

Website: http://www.planweston.com/

Group Email: planweston@gmail.com

Weston was once a prosperous city, home to pioneers, farmers, and an active downtown. Today however, Weston faces many challenges common to communities throughout rural Oregon. The key question for this small city is: How can Weston capitalize on homegrown and regional assets in order to revitalize downtown and maximize the wellbeing of the community as a whole? Reimagining Weston provides a blueprint for the community to answer this question. This plan is a proactive effort by Weston residents to shape the livability and prosperity of their community over the next 20 years. Reimagining Weston consists of three primary parts: the Weston 2030 Vision Statement, Revitalization Strategies, and Implementation Actions.

Reinventing the Wheel

B:Spoke: April Cutter, Reza Farhoodi, Amy Hesse, Spencer Williams

Client: City of Redmond, Oregon.

Final Document: Reinventing the Wheel ReportReinventingtheWheelFinalDocument(WEBsmallJune25).pdf

Town Center Vision

Emerald Solutions: Caroline Chapman, Jacqueline Gruber, Neil Riordan.

Client: City of Wilsonville, Oregon. 

Final Document: Town Center Vision: A Sustainability and Smart Growth Pilot Plan. Appendix. 

Group Email: towncentervision@gmail.com

In December 2010, City Council passed Resolution 2261 which directed the City’s Committee for Citizen Involvement (CCI) to prepare a more formal action plan for smart growth and sustainability. Emerald Solutions, a team of Portland State Master’s students, was tasked with furthering these efforts by completing a Sustainability and Smart Growth Pilot Plan for the Town Center Pilot Area (TCPA). The plan works to develop a complete concept, structure, and community outreach process that will guide the City in the creation of a broader, citywide plan.

Vision Zero Oregon

The Loci Group: Marielle Brown, Nick Falbo, Brandy Steffen, Michelle van Tijen, Ben Weber.

Client: Bicycle Transportation Alliance.

Final Document: King, Boise, and Humboldt Neighborhood Street Safety Action Plan

Website: http://www.visionzerooregon.org/

Group Email: hello@visionzerooregon.org

Vision Zero Oregon (VZO) is a street safety philosophy that aims to create streets where no one will be killed or seriously injured. Vision Zero Oregon prioritizes road safety above all else. Every life is worth more than an increase in speeds or road capacity for vehicles. Achieving Vision Zero Oregon goals will require a shift in the focus of policy, laws and enforcement, and the formation of a new relationship between residents and their streets, and revolution in the way transportation departments operate their streets. This project takes on one part of this complex topic, focusing on community interest, involvement, and influence in the transportation system of a neighborhood. The goal is to turn resident interest into activism, and empower a population to support the innovative changes necessary to decisively improve safety.

Planning Workshop Projects 2010

Faculty Advisers: Ellen Bassett, Sumner Sharpe

Gateway EcoDistrict Pilot Study

District Lab: Michael Budds, Erin Reome, Dan Schauer and Aaron Wilson

Client: Portland Sustainability Institute

Final Document: Gateway EcoDistrict Pilot Study

Website: www.ecogateway.net

Group E-mail: EcoGateway@gmail.com

The Gateway EcoDistrict Pilot Study used site conditions, community priorities, and plans for future growth and development to recommend catalyst projects. The study’s objectives included raising awareness about the EcoDistrict concept, mapping physical and social assets conducive to an EcoDistrict, and identifying organizations interested in management of the pilot EcoDistrict. An assessment of opportunities and constraints to establishing an EcoDistrict in Gateway served as a corollary part of the study.

Growing Zenger Farm

Ecotone: Turhan Sonmez, Elizabeth Milner, Stacey Glenewinkel, Kate Carone

Client: Friends of Zenger Farm and the City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services

Final Document: Growing Zenger Farm

Website: http://growingzengerfarm.wordpress.com/ 

Group E-mail: GrowingZenger@gmail.com

Zenger Farm is a working urban farm in outer southeast Portland, Oregon, that promotes sustainable food systems, environmental stewardship and local economic development. Currently operating on 6 acres of farmland and 10 acres of wetland, the farm has an opportunity to expand onto 4 additional acres of adjacent land, and has asked Ecotone to help maximize the potential of that expansion. 

Growing Zenger Farm is a unique opportunity to learn how urban agriculture can best address the needs of communities. Food security, community development, education, economic development and environmental stewardship are components of Zenger's stated mission and goals and are areas where urban agriculture has the potential to make meaningful contributions. Ecotone will complete a community needs assessment (CNA) of the Powellhurst-Gilbert and Lents communities, and will work with high school planning students from Catlin Gabel School to simultaneously carry out a youth-focused CNA of the same neighborhoods. The CNA findings, in conjunction with urban agriculture research and extensive outreach and collaboration with Zenger's neighbors, will help Ecotone develop programmatic, site design and urban agriculture policy recommendations.

Harvesting Opportunity: A Strategic Vision for Farmworker Housing and Microenterprise in Washington County

Tierra Planning: Nadine Appenbrink, Raihana Ansary, Elizabeth Decker, Kate McQuillan, Karla Nelson and Emily Picha

Client: Farmworker Housing Development Corporation (Woodburn, OR)

Final Document: A Strategic Vision for Farmworker Housing and Economic Opportunities in Washington County, Oregon

Website: http://www.tierraplanning.org

Email: tierraplanning@gmail.com

Farmworkers in Washington County face stagnant incomes, limited opportunities and a shortage of affordable, quality housing. In this six month workshop project, Tierra Planning explored the connection between quality affordable housing and economic development opportunities for farmworkers in Washington County. We worked with stakeholders, regulators, landowners and farmworkers to identify barriers, opportunities and alternatives. Our final product was a "strategic vision" that included both general recommendations and recommendations specific to Washington County based on extensive research, outreach, and alternatives analysis.  Our hope is that our work will spark discourse among local farmers, housing developers, and policy makers in the Portland metropolitan region and beyond by providing alternative models for integrated farmworker housing and economic development. In particular, we hope to highlight the connection between the growing local food movement and the workers who harvest local food to broaden support for the social aspects of sustainability.

Oak Grove Neighborhood Center Plan

Foothill Planning: Adam Bartini, Åsa Bergman, Alicia Crain, Carley Francis, Kathryn McGovern, Nathan McNeil

Client: Oak Lodge Community Council and Clackamas County Urban Green

Final Document: Oak Grove Neighborhood Center Plan

Website: www.foothillplanning.com

Group E-mail: info@foothillplanning.com

Foothill Planning worked with the Oak Lodge Community Council and Clackamas County Urban Green to create an Oak Grove Neighborhood Center Plan. The plan sought to foster a more livable and sustainable community by strengthening the Oak Grove historic business district and improving its connections with the planned Park Avenue MAX station via two transportation corridors, McLoughlin Boulevard and the Trolley Trail. The project articulated ways that these corridors can serve as gateways into the Oak Grove neighborhood and help to revitalize the community. Cognizant of neighborhood concerns regarding previous planning process, the project relied on community input to shape recommendations for neighborhood redevelopment, both in terms of potential policy changes and infrastructure projects.

Reshaping the Planning AGEnda

Sage Places: Heidi Guenin, Bob Kellett, Vivian Siu, Lindsay Walker, Jenny Weinstein

Client: Housing Land Advocates

Website: sageplaces.com

Group E-mail: info@sageplaces.com

Final Document: Reshaping the Planning AGEnda

Housing Land Advocates and AARP Oregon have identified that the participation of older adults in the planning process in Clackamas County is not leading to outcomes that address their needs. One potential barrier to advocacy is older adults' lack of understanding of the planning process. A better informed population of older adults will lead to more effective participation in planning processes and an increased ability to advocate for their needs. Another potential barrier may be the way in which planners engage older adults in planning. Through better engagement strategies there will be better outcomes.

Roadway Not Improved: Exploring temporary uses and community-based alternatives for unimproved streets

LARKE Planning: Leah Hyman, Al Klein, Rani Boyle, Katie Lynd, Emily Lieb

Client: Woodstock Neighborhood Association

Final Document: Roadway Not Improved: An Explanation of Opportunities and Challenges, Toolkit

Website: www.roadwaynotimproved.com

E-mail: roadwaynotimproved@gmail.com

The Woodstock neighborhood of SE Portland is home to a high concentration of unimproved streets. Through conversations with the Woodstock Neighborhood Association and representatives at City of Portland agencies, LARKE Planning identified a disconnect between City street policies and residents' desires and concerns surrounding unimproved streets. Through Roadway Not Improved, LARKE is exploring temporary uses and community-based alternatives that will provide more flexibility to respond to the variations that exist among streets' physical characteristics and residents' visions for how these streets can or should contribute to neighborhood character and livability. Although the project focuses specifically on the Woodstock neighborhood, LARKE hopes its final products will also be relevant for other neighborhoods and City policymakers.

Willamette Park Assessment and Recommendations

Quercus Planning Group: Julia Babcock, Bernadette Le, Maren Murphy and Amy Rossa

Client: Portland Parks and Recreation and partnering agency, Bureau of Environmental Services

Website: http://quercusplanning.wordpress.com/

Final Report: Willamette Park Assessment and Recommendations

Group E-mail: quercus.planning@gmail.com

The vision of the project was to prioritize park improvements that balance the long-term sustainability and viability of the park with growing user demands. As a hybrid park, Willamette Park has a unique set of challenges related to its operations and management, as it is managed for both recreation and natural areas. The final report documents the process QPG undertook to explore opportunities and constraints in Willamette Park, and provides recommendations to guide the future planning of the park.

Planning Workshop Projects 2009

Faculty Advisers: Sy Adler, Ethan Seltzer

Washington Park Access & Circulation Plan*

New Leaf Planning: Ray Delahanty, Cathy Cibor, Mallory Atkinson, Brendon Haggerty, Talia Jacobson, David Amiton

Client: Washington Park Alliance

Final Document: Washington Park Access & Circulation Plan

Portland's Washington Park is home to many of the region's most popular educational, recreational, and tourist attractions.  As demand for these attractions continues to grow, the quality of transportation services offered at the park increasingly contribute - in ways both positive and negative - to the quality of the overall user experience.  Recognizing the interplay between transportation and user experience, New Leaf Planning has worked closely with its client, the newly formed Washington Park Alliance, to identify transportation challenges and opportunities for improvement within Washington Park. This partnership will culminate in a Washington Park Access & Circulation Plan, which will outline a set of recommendations for guiding transportation improvements at Washington Park in the years to come.

*Winner of the 2010 APAOregon Student Acheivement in Planning Award.

Foodability

Community Food Concepts: Kim Armstrong, April Chastain, Stephanie VanRheen, Steve White, Elizabeth Chapin, Julia Person

Client: The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability

Final Document: Foodability

The Portland Plan will consider current physical and socioeconomic conditions and trends and help establish shared visions, goals, and policies to guide the efforts of BPS and other city agencies over the next 20 years.  BPS is interested in addressing food access issues in the Portland Plan, but does not have a defined, stakeholder-supported vision for food access. The Foodabilty project is developing a vision, goals, and strategy recommendations for food access in Portland that can be used to ground and direct future actions by the City and other organizations.  It is supported by a set of maps displaying the contours of the City's current geographies of food accessibility.

The final vision statement and evaluation criteria will be used to evaluate the goals for implementation that may be used to move Portland closer to its vision for food access. The final report will include a matrix evaluating the effectiveness and appropriateness of recommended strategies for BPS and other organizations.

No Vacancy*

Locus Lab: Becky Dann, Beth Somerfield, Emily Rice, Briana Meier

Client: Central Eastside Industrial District

Final Document: No Vacancy: Exploring Temporary Use of Empty Spaces in the Central Eastside Industrial District , How To Guide

Vacant lots and buildings, whether in stages of redevelopment or decline, are spaces in flux. Left unused, these empty spaces can pose difficult challenges for their owners and surrounding neighborhoods; however, the uncertain futures of vacant sites also present unique opportunities for a variety of temporary uses. In partnership with the Central Eastside Industrial Council, LocusLab is exploring the potential to enliven the Central Eastside Industrial District by activating vacant spaces with temporary activities and developments. 

We've worked to:

• uncover potential benefits of temporary use
• find ways to overcome barriers faced by temporary projects
• initiate a conversation between property owners, potential space users, neighbors and supporting organizations about the future of temporary use of empty spaces in the District.

*Winner of the 2010 AICP Student Project Award for Contribution to Planning to Contemporary Issues.

Humboldt Community Action Plan

Mosaic Planning: Sara Bedinghaus, Nikolai Ursin, Morgan Masterman, Mark Gilbert, Lizzy Warren

Client: Humboldt Neighborhood Association

Final Document: Humboldt Community Action Plan

Mosaic is working to develop an action plan that will enable the community to better address their concerns. The Humboldt neighborhood is one of the most diverse and rapidly changing areas in the Portland area, constantly challenging the neighborhood association's efforts to reach a diverse, representative population of residents. Through concerted outreach, interviews, and workshops Mosaic Planning has identified a series of goals the neighborhood hopes to one day realize. By thoroughly researching methods to achieve these goals, the group will provide a series of action items to the community, which can be implemented by residents. This plan will help them address neighborhood issues, identify city and local resources, and provide ways to build a stronger community within Humboldt.

Neighborhood Climate Action Planning Handbook 

C-Change Consultants: Hannah Dondy-Kaplan, Erica Timm, Beth Cohen, Dyami Valentine, Mariah VanZerr, Devin Moller

Client: Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Coalition

Final Document: Neighborhood Climate Action Planning Handbook 

The City of Portland and Multnomah County are developing new plans and policies to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals of 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. To meet these new steep reduction targets, actions will be needed at every level of society. While neighborhoods have historically received little attention as a means of addressing climate change, they are ideally suited to bring people together to bridge the gap between individual actions and higher level government policies. To help neighborhoods develop strategies and actions to address climate change, C-Change Consultants worked with the Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Coalition to create a Neighborhood Climate Action Planning Handbook. Through the course of developing the Handbook, C-Change consultants found that southeast neighborhoods see taking collective action on climate change as a way to build stronger communities, save money, and increase neighborhood involvement.  The Neighborhood Climate Action Planning Handbook features three main sections:

• a process section that includes various strategies for how neighborhoods can address climate change
• an actions section that includes examples of successful projects that neighborhoods can use to reduce their carbon footprint, and
• an appendix that includes useful tools and resources neighborhoods can use as they move throughout the neighborhood climate action planning process.

Cully Main Street: A Plan for Community-Serving Improvements

Columbia Ridge Planning: Daniel Costantino, Lani Edghill, Mary-Rain O'Meara, Jason Wallace

Client: Cully Main Street

Final Document: Cully Main Street: A Plan for Community-Serving Improvements

The Cully Main Street is defined by Metro's Region 2040 Plan and includes parts of NE Cully Blvd and NE Killingsworth St. Our missionis to provide the Cully community with a plan to encourage the location of more and better neighborhood businesses and services within a short distance of their homes and in a walkable and bikeable environment. Our approach is grounded in the belief that economic development at the local level should benefit the current community, by maintaining and promoting neighborhood livability and safety improvements. The major product of this project will be a set of zoning, infrastructure, design and business development recommendations for the Main Street.

20 Minutes in West Portland Park

Intersect Planning: Ali DeMersseman, Dana Dickman, Nuin-Tara Key, Laura Spidell, and Sara Wright.

Client: West Portland Park Neighborhood Association

Final Document: 20 Minutes in West Portland Park

Exploring the planning concept of the "20-minute neighborhood" and analyzing the feasibility of applying the concept to the West Portland Park neighborhood. We also seek to engage the community in a meaningful discussion about the future of West Portland Park in order to help the community begin to build the connections and tools necessary to play an active role in future planning efforts."

Planning Workshop Projects 2008

Faculty Advisers: Sy Adler, Ethan Seltzer

Food Cartology - Rethinking Urban Spaces as People Places

Urban Vitality Group: Hannah Kapell, Peter Katon, Amy Koski, Jingping Li, Colin Price, Karen Thalhamme

Client: City of Portland, Bureau of Planning

Final Report: Food Cartology - Rethinking Urban Spaces as People Places

The Urban Vitality Group (UVG) partnered with the City of Portland, Bureau of Planning to study the effects that food carts have on street vitality and neighborhood livability. The number of food carts within the city seems to be growing, while the City lacks sufficient knowledge about the industry to guide policy. The purpose of the study was to assess the benefits and negative consequences of allowing food carts within the city and to ascertain what economic opportunities may be offered by food carts, especially for low-income and minority entrepreneurs. The findings indicate that food carts have significant community benefits to neighborhood livability by fostering social interactions, walkability, and by providing interim uses for vacant parcels. Additionally, carts provide good employment opportunities for immigrants and low-income individuals to begin their own businesses, although there are significant barriers to continued stability and success. The City’s support of the food cart industry can advance the key public values expressed in VisionPDX and benefit all Portlanders. 

122nd Avenue Enhancement Study

Springwater Consulting: Alejandro Bancke, William Elder, Joy Hunt, Caroline Leary, Markus Mead, Cassera Phipps 

Client: City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning

Final Report: 122nd Avenue Enhancement Study

The City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning would like to explore opportunities for strengthening the PowellhurstGilbert Neighborhood’s sense of place through mixed-use and/or neighborhood-based commercial development, improved residential and commercial design, and by creating linkages to existing community assets, such as parks and commercial areas. This project expands upon existing plans by incorporating community preferences, market and land use analyses, and urban design strategies to generate neighborhood commercial use and placemaking alternatives for SE 122 nd Avenue. 

Bin Half Full - Construction Waste Recycling Solutions

Wendy Gibson, Mary Grothaus, Melissa Johnston, Shaun Roland, Christina Skellenger, Amy Twilegar 

Client: City of Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development

Final Document: Bin Half Full - Construction Waste Recycling Solutions

According to the City of Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development (OSD), construction, remodeling, and demolition (CR&D) waste comprises 20 percent of the City’s waste stream. Additionally, per capita waste generation in this sector is increasing faster than in the residential or commercial sectors. However, the current amount of CR&D waste that is landfilled can be reduced: 90 percent of the waste from a typical project can be diverted from landfill disposal. Although OSD currently requires that 50 percent of CR&D waste from every project is recycled, the City estimates that contractors recycle slightly less than this. OSD’s Portland Recycles! Plan (PRP) mandates that CR&D waste that contractors recycle or salvage and reuse increase to 75 percent of the total weight of a project’s waste by 2015. This document synthesizes the findings of Project Team Bin Half Full (BHF) and provides recommendations to help general contractors meet OSD’s new mandate. Additional recommendations for haulers, facilities, policy makers and the recycling process are also provided.

Imagine 82nd

Insight Visioning + Planning: Jamison Kelleher, Sue Lewis, Daniel Pauly, Steven Szigethy, Kenya Williams

Imagine 82nd is a corridor vision plan for NE 82nd Avenue of Roses between the Banfield Expressway and Sandy Boulevard. Based on a community-driven process, it describes and illustrateds what the avenue can be, envisioned by those who live, work, and go to school there. 

Vernonia 2020 Vision

Bridges Planning Group: Mathew Berkow, Maria Ellis, Oren Eshel, Harleen Kaur, Terra Lingley, Colin Maher, Stephen Shackman, Ariana Tipper, George Zaninovich 

Client: City of Vernonia

Final Document: Vernonia 2020 Vision

The Vernonia 2020 Vision Plan was an endeavor by the City of Vernonia to involve citizens in long-term resiliency planning and visioning to complement the short-term recovery effort following a 500-year flood in December 2007. Bridges Planning Group facilitated the process, over the course of which residents identified the highest-priority barriers to resiliency and past and present efforts to overcome these barriers. 

Planning Workshop Projects 2007

Faculty Advisers: Ethan Seltzer, Sumner Sharpe

Main Street Park Rose

PlanPDX: Doug Bruchs, Laura Butler, Todd Johnson, Sean McCusker, Brian Monberg and Erik Rundell

Client: Parkrose Business Association and Parkrose Neighborhood Association 

Final Document: Main Street Park Rose

PlanPDX worked to assess existing district conditions and assist in the development of goals for the district that could inform and guide future improvement efforts. Utilizing a variety of research methods including community outreach efforts, in-person interviews, technical analysis and organizing two well-attended community workshops, the Vision Team and PlanPDX successfully generated a set of recommendations for Main Street Park Rose.

Inclusive Business Prosperity in North/Northeast Portland

Building Business Equity:  Renee Garrels, Sanela Ruznic, Sarah LoGiudice, Erin Grushon, Max Coffman, Sara Vonde Veld

Client: Portland Development Commission

Final Document: Inclusive Business Prosperity in North/Northeast Portland

Building Business Equity undertook a research study on the nature of commercial displacement. Demographic data and anecdotal evidence suggest that major shifts are occurring in the population and commercial markets in inner N/NE Portland.  Therefore, BBE chose to identify and evaluate strategies to assist minority, women owned and emerging small businesses (MWESB) in the area.    

Aurora 2017 Vision

JDL Planning: Delia Chi, Diane Hale, Laurie Miskimins, Joe Recker, Jeannine Rusta

Client: City of Aurora Planning Commission

Final Document: Aurora 2017 Vision Implementation Report

In early 2007, the City of Aurora Planning Commission sought the assistance of JDL Planning, a consultant team consisting  of five members in  the Masters ofUrban and Regional Planning program at Portland State University, to update the City's 1995  Vision. JDL Planning  guided  an  intensive visioning  process to capture the current values of both new and long-time residents and  businessowners.  

Westside Trail Feasibility Study

Missing Link Planning: Amanda Owings, Kate Lyman, Kim Voros, Paul Wachana, Ted Reid, Tomoko Kanai

Client: Metro

Final Report: Westside Trail Feasiblity Study

This team provided Metro with an assessment of conditions along the power line corridor on the proposed Westside Trail. The team developed trail goals and objectives, as well as criteria by which to assess the study area. The final product highlights opportunities and constraints for meeting the trail's goals and objectives, and a set of recommendations for the trail. 

Mitigation and Conservation Banks

River People: Matt Harding, John Hazlett, Matt Lustig, Anita MacAuley

Client: The River Plan, City of Portland, Bureau of Planning

Final Report: Mitgation and Conservation Banks: Report for River Plan Consideration

The project investigated and analyzed potential program mechanisms, receiving sites and funding opportunities for off-site mitigation. River Plan staff will use feedback received from the River Plan Committee and others to further development of an off-site mitigation program.

Planning Workshop Projects 2007--Poster Session Photos

Planning Workshop Projects 2006

Faculty Advisers: Sy Adler, Deborah Howe, Connie Ozawa, Sumner Sharpe

Destination: Lents

Crossroads Consulting: Andrew Gulizia, Kristen Kibler, Vanessa Meyer, Rebecca Stavenjord, Meganne Steel

Client: Lents Neighborhood Association

Final Document: Destination: Lents

Recognizing these promising new developments in Lents, Crossroads Consulting approached LNA Board Officers with an offer to provide assistance through the 2006 Workshop course. A subcommittee representing LNA's board accepted the Crossroads Consulting proposal to identify quickly implementable improvement strategies to create momentum and foster a sense of optimism about Lents Town Center revitalization. Neighbors would like to see improvements made now to help improve Lents' image as a special place.  Three areas were selected for attention: 

1. Imageability- The sense of being in a unique, cohesive neighborhood
2. Streetscape quality-  Pedestrian comfort and accessibility
3. Getting "feet on the street" in Lents Town Center - Increasing pedestrian activity on the street   

Going Public! Strategies for Meeting Public Restroom Need in Portland's Central City*

Relief Works: Josh Ahmann, Kevin Bond, Warren Greaser, Sarah Selden, Amber Springberg, Kartik Srinivas, Jon Swae

Client: City of Portland Mayor's Office

Final Report: Going Public! Strategies for Meeting Public Restroom Need in Portland's Central City

PSU Urban & Regional Planning graduate students contacted the Office of Mayor Tom Potter with a proposal to conduct an in-depth analysis of Portland's public restrooms.  The PSU team, Relief Works, and the Mayor's Office agreed to explore the issues and potential solutions surrounding demand and supply of public restrooms within  Portland's Central City.  This report is Relief Works' final product for the Office of the Mayor.    

*Winner of the 2006 APAOregon Student Acheivement in Planning Award.

Kalama's Front Yard: A Preliminary Waterfront Site Plan for the Port of Kalama

The RMH2 Group: Kenneth Renchner, Michelle Miller, Lisa Hendricksen, Leslie Hamilton, AICP

Client: Port of Kalama, Washington

Final Report: Kalama Waterfront: Prelimiary Site Plan

The Kalama Waterfront Preliminary Site Plan sets the groundwork and approach for development of an underutilized 33-acre tract owned by the Port of Kalama.  The  Plan is  intended for the Port of Kalama to use as a starting point for waterfront development. The Plan and implementation strategies will aid the Port by providing a conceptual view of the waterfront and a process by which to begin putting the vision of Kalama's Front Yard in motion.  

Local Lunches

TH2: Lisa Anderson, Katherine Krajnak, Lisa Libby, Meghan MacKenzie, Sumi Malik, Katie Shriver.  

Client: City of Portland, Office of Sustainable Development

Final Report: Local Lunches: Planning for Local Produce in Portland Schools

In the 1990s, school districts across the country began to integrate fresh food grown by local producers into school meals and snacks. School food authorities and farmers have broadly defined this new movement, called “Farm to School,” as connecting schools and local and regional farmers. Farm to School programs benefit a community’s economy, improve student nutrition, and strengthen education curricula. Local Lunches seeks to initiate Farm to School efforts in Portland, Oregon, by identifying specific strategies that Portland’s school districts can use to incorporate more local produce in their school meals.

Milwaukie Ave Main Street Plan

Main Street Collaborative Consultants: Sine Adams, Matt Johnson, Lance Lindahl, Kate Marcello, and Erin Wilson

Client: Brooklyn Action Corps Neighborhood Association

Final Report: MSCC Milwaukie Ave Main Street Plan

This plan provides an analysis of Milwaukie Avenue as a neighborhood Main Street and provides recommendations for its growth and improvement. Methods of analysis included a comprehensive land use and transportation safety inventory, data collection from neighborhood residents and master of urban and regional planning students, comparison to other Main Streets, and feedback from a technical advisory committee. The analysis shows that Milwaukie Avenue has great potential as a Main Street, although improvements in the existing zoning code and transportation infrastructure will greatly benefit its condition. Other features, including Green Streets and elements that provide neighborhood identity, will also improve Milwaukie Avenue's Main Street potential.

Portland Farmer's Market 2006 Site Plan Update

URBAN ROOTS: Lesley Barewin, Steven Xuan Gao, Megan Lenahan, Tim VanWorme: 

Client: Portland Farmer's Market

Final Report: Portland Farmers Market

The team assisted the Portland Farmer's Market in updating their 5 Year Site Plan and to make site-related recommendations for the 2010 Growth/Vision document.  

Planning Workshop Projects 2005

Faculty Advisers: Sy Adler, Deborah Howe, Connie Ozawa

Anti-Displacement Strategies - Non-Profit Organizations in Old Town China Town

PrOTecting CharaCTer: Joanne Daunt, Jenny Bajwa, Sean Farrelly, Serah Overbeek, Jessica Sladek

Client: Zimmerman Community Center 

Final Report: Anti-Displacement Strategies - Non-Profit Organizations in Old Town China Town

57th & Division Street CommunityOwnership Project    

HBU Consultants: Brendan Buckley, Clark Henry, Stephen Shane, Simone C. Wolter

Client: 57th and Division Community Ownership Project Steering Committee

Final Report: 57th and Division Project Final Report

Diggable City Project: Making Urban Agriculture a Planning Priority*

Kevin Balmer, James Gill, Heather Kaplinger, Joe Miller, Melissa Peterson, Amanda Rhoads, Paul Rosenbloom, Teak Wall

Client: City of Portland, Office of Commissioner Dan Saltzman, Brendan Finn, Bureau Liason

Final Report: Diggable City Project

In addition to an inventory of potential urban agriculture sites, the team also conducted a literature review, held focus groups with relevant stakeholders, conducted numerous interviews, and administered and analyzed surveys. The results of these outreach efforts greatly informed criteria development and recommendations, and expanded our understanding of the potential for urban agriculture in Portland.    

*Winner of the 2005 APAOregon Student Acheivement in Planning Award.

The Urban Grind: Skateparks - Neighborhood Perceptions and Planning Realities

Aperio Consulting: Ellie Fiore, Sarah Heinicke, Beth Ragel, Laura Weigel

Client:  Portland Parks and Recreation

Final Report: The Urban Grind

Aperio Consulting worked in conjunction with Portland Parks and Recreation (PP&R) on their Skatepark Master Planning process in the spring of 2005.This project was undertaken to help PP&R and their siting committee make informed decisions when siting a system of skate parks for the City of Portland. This document is also designed for use by parks planners and community members in other cities who are considering building skateparks.    

Roseway-Sandy Streetscape Concept Plan

Intersect Planning: Matt Lasky, Mike Tresidder, Jay Renkens, Morgan Shoo    

Client: Roseway Neighborhood Association - Land Use Committee

Final Report: Roseway-Sandy Streetscape Concept Plan

The Roseway-Sandy Streetscape Concept Plan advances the community's vision for Sandy Boulevard from 68th to 80th Avenues as their Main Street. Intersect Planning prepared the Concept Plan for the Roseway Neighborhood Association - creating ideas for how future transportation investments may improve the quality, character, and safety of Sandy Boulevard for all members of the community.    

Sustainable Development Strategy for Springwater Community - Gresham, OR

EcoSpring Consulting: Gary Albrecht, Laurie Harris, Steve Hansen, Colin Mcconnaha, Darren Nichols, Casey Nolan

Client: City of Gresham Economic Development

Final Report: Springwater Workshop Project

This project researches and recommends alternatives for implementing sustainable development patterns and practices into this largely undeveloped land. The objective of the research is to provide a range of strategies that the City can incorporate into an incentives-based program that facilitates sustainable development.   

Envision Park Place Neighborhood: Public Involvement for the Concept Plan

Oregon Trail Planners: Sonoko Endo, Masud Hasan, Lake McTighe, Ryan Marquardt, Tom Moes, Linda Murphy

Client: Park Place Neighborhood Association

Final Report: Envision Park Place Neighborhood: Public Involvement for the Concept Plan

This project provides a framework for guiding future public involvement in creating the Oregon City's Concept Plan and the Park Place Neighborhood Plan. The public involvement process focused on identifying issues and opportunities associated with the possible development of an area adjacent to the neighborhood that, if annexed into the city, will become part of the neighborhood.    

Planning Workshop Projects 2004*

Faculty Advisers: Deborah Howe, Barry Messer, Ethan Seltzer

*Cohort awarded 2004 Chinook Award.

Building Active Communities: Linking Lents

Linking Lents Project Group: Carolyn Bonner, Dan Bower, Heather Marren, Michael Rose, Beth Shuck, Rania Wasfy

Client: Portland Parks and Recreation

Final Report: Building Active Communities: Linking Lents

The purpose of the Linking Lents Project is to increase opportunities for physical activity in the Lents neighborhood. Both programming changes and physical changes to the built environment are needed to accomplish this goal. While a trailhead in the Lents neighborhood will attract some new users to the trail, a trailhead alone may not greatly increase trail use. A Lents trailhead constructed in conjunction with improved overall access to the trail, connections to neighborhood amenities and public education of the benefits of increased physical activity will increase Lents residents’ use of the trail.

New Arrivals: Options for Successful Resettlement of the Somali Bantu

RefugEEE Consulting: Aaron Abrams, Kristin Dahl, Ryan Hunter, Jennifer Kenny, Angela Southwick.

Client: The National Somali Bantu Project

Final Project: New Arrivals: Options for Successful Resettlement of the Somali Bantu

The National Somali Bantu Project (NSBP) is committed to pursuing a more comprehensive approach and is interested in connecting the Somali Bantu refugees with their agrarian roots to foster cultural and social ties and provide economic development opportunities. With this goal in mind, the National Somali Bantu Project asked that RefugEEE Consulting investigate the possibility of implementing a comprehensive resettlement approach with an agrarian component that could be pursued once the Somali Bantu refugees have settled into their new environment over the next one to three years. This document serves as a decision-making guide to be used when the National Somali Bantu Project moves forward with its resettlement assistance.

Outer South East Livable Infill Project*

LIV-IN: Debbie Collard, Kristine dos Remedios, Krista Hornaday, Harper Kalin, Ying Lin, Kris Sorenesen

Client: City of Portland, Bureau of Planning

Final Project: Outer SE Livable Infill Project

The City of Portland, Oregon has experienced unprecedented population growth in the last decade, much of which has been accommodated through infill development. Not all infi ll development has contributed to meeting design goals, prompting the City’s Bureau of Planning to launch the Infill Design Project in 2003. The Infill Design Project aims to improve the design of multi-dwelling and rowhouse development outside the Central City. This study supports the Infill Design Project by studying the design of new, multi-family infi ll development in a section of Outer Southeast Portland, Oregon. Through public outreach, this study identifies community design preferences and analyzes whether these preferences are being met in the private realm, the public realm and contextually. The studyfurther identifies reasons for the current state of multi-family infill development and provides recommendations to improve design quality of multi-family infill.

*Honorable Mention for  the 2004 APA Oregon Student Acheivement in Planning Award.

The Power of Place

GNT Planning: Quinn Fahey, Josh Birks, Jeff Caudill, John Mermin, Kenneth Radin

Client: Division Vision Coalition

Final Project: The Power of Place: Building Community Character on SE Division Street.

The Power of Place study assists DVC in fulfilling that mission by pursuing an understanding of the street’s character and identifying opportunities for future development or continued investment. Both aspects of this study establish the foundation necessary for the Coalition to become proactive in development processes and maintain the attributes that most significantly contribute to the character of the street. To that end, the study looked to achieve three primary objectives:

1. Develop a body of knowledge that can steer DVC toward community desires and objectives regarding Division St. development.
2. Based on that knowledge, identify sites along Division that hold potential for future development or continued investment.
3. Identify community and collective ownership structures that the community might use to purchase and manage real estate.

South Park Blocks Area Development Strategy*

Project Team: Lisa Abuaf, Natasha Detweiler, Steve Faust, Jennifer Mannhard, Dan Zalkow

Client: Downtown Neighborhood Association

Final Project: South Park Blocks Area Development Strategy: Priorities and Actions to Strengthen Neighborhood Identity.

Past and current planning efforts by the City of Portland, such as the South Park Blocks Urban Renewal Area and the West End plan, have sought to promote new mixed-use development through increasing the residential density and investment in the area. The West End plan focused primarily on the area north of SW Salmon Street and the urban renewal area currently does not have a standing advisory committee to represent the Downtown neighborhood’s interests. This project consists of a neighborhood analysis to distill the identity of the area, an identification of the opportunities and challenges to development, and a strategy for DNA to be an active participant in the development of the South Park Blocks Area (SPBA).

*Honorable Mention for the 2004 APAOregon Student Acheivement in Planning Award.

The Sullivan's Gulch Trail Study

Project Team: Michael Hoffmann, Darren Muldoon, Joseph Schaefer, Morgan Will

Client: Metro Regional Parks and Greenspaces.

Final Project: The Sullivan's Gulch Trail Study

This study follows a recent engineering study by PSU students, which offers a potential trail alignment in the Sullivan’s Gulch.
Metro Parks and Greenspaces asked for a product that would identify whether and how the trail would meet regional goals if constructed as an off‐street path. This report is intended to research and explain the planning issues that follow from the potential trail alignment. This report provides information to support a decision on whether to apply for funding for further planning and engineering study. It also serves as a practical resource for future action.

Sustainable Options for Division Street

Urbanics: Matt Burlin, William Hawley, Alisa Kane, David Moser, Dana Visse

Client: Division Vision Coalition

Final Project: Sustainable Options for Division Street.

To reflect DVC’s desire to promote neighborhood livability through sustainable development, Team Urbanics offered a series of community workshops in May 2004 that explored the concepts of sustainable development. The goals of the “Sustainable Options for Division Street” workshops were to:
• Provide DVC with an educational tool that enhances the public’s awareness of sustainable development options
• Encourage public participation in upcoming redevelopment planning efforts
• Promote sustainable practices, including environmental protection, economic development, and social equity, and
• Create a forum for civil discourse, for neighbors to meet neighbors, and for people to learn new things about their community.

Planning Workshop Projects 2003

Planning at the Roots: Low-Income and Communities of Color in Portland, Oregon*.

Planning at the Roots: Allison Parzych, Jennifer Porter, Shayna Rehberg, Sarah Ruether, Gwen Sheinfeld

Client: City of Portland, Office of Neighborhood Involvement; Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program, Inc.

Final Report: Community Involvement Handbook, Planning at the Roots: Low-Income and Communities of Color in Portland, Oregon.

In an effort to highlight community-planning efforts in low-income populations and communities of color, a group of Masters of Urban and Regional Planning students conducted interviews with community leaders and wrote this chapter of cases to be incorporated into ONI’s Community Involvement Handbook. These cases are meant to provide inspiration and understanding about the strengths and differences
between planning approaches used in diverse communities working outside of the neighborhood association structure. This chapter may also help to inform opportunities for neighborhood associations and other organizations to better collaborate with diverse community groups.

*Winner of the 2004 APAOregon Student Acheivement in Planning Award.