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.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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