The Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission has proposed a truly radical development requirement for private developments in the city's downtown: spaces for the homeless.
Updated on December 6, 2019: The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability has released a statement clarifying information reported in the story shared below. According to the statement, the language proposed for the Design Overlay Zone Amendments (DOZA) project does not allow for camping or sleeping. The approved text of Guideline 6, the subject of the reporting share below, reads as follows: "Guideline 6: Provide opportunities to rest and be welcome." The headline and image of this story have been updated to clarify this information.
"If a majority of the Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission has its way, new private buildings downtown will be required to include spaces where houseless Portlanders can 'rest,' which could include sleeping and pitching tents," reports Nigel Jaquiss.
The idea, championed by Commissioner Oriana Magnera, is not a sure thing to reach the Portland City Council, after encountering vocal opposition from the minority that opposed the idea on the council.
FULL STORY: An Influential City Panel Wants New Private Buildings to Provide Space for Homeless Camping
Problems With Portland Homeless Camp Clean-Up Program
An audit describes a number of issues with the city’s program to identify and remove illegal encampments.
Portland Replaces Camping Ban With New Policy
Unhoused residents can sleep on public property when no shelter space is available, but still face penalties for violating new regulations or not moving into shelter if offered.
San Jose Is Training AI to Identify Homeless Camps
Images captured on cameras mounted on a municipal vehicle are being used to train a private technology companies’ AI algorithm to detect tents and signs of habitation in vehicles.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Understanding Road Diets
An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.
New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution
A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.
Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension
The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service