Always a closely watched planning jurisdiction, Portland, Oregon is proceeding with a new vision for the future of the western end of the city.

The draft of the West Portland Town Center Plan is available for public review, with a series of virtual public hearings on the calendar this month. As explained in an article published on the city of Portland's website, the draft plan has been in the works for over two years.
The Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission is leading the engagement effort for the plan, which is focused on planning for equitable growth and development in a neighborhood at a crossroads as one of the few remaining locations of affordable rental housing in the city.
A separate article by Lisa Caballero promotes this month's public hearings and urges the local bike advocacy community to attend the meetings and comment on the plan, focusing specifically on a few transportation improvements included in the draft, namely for SW Capitol Hwy, SW Taylors Ferry, and SW Huber Street.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Greening Oakland’s School Grounds
With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.

California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas
Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.

Native American Communities Prepare to Lead on Environmental Stewardship
In the face of federal threats to public lands and conservation efforts, indigenous groups continue to model nature-centered conservation efforts.
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