Portland leads the nation is sustainability and in fact, may be responsible for starting this movement, but its economy remains mediocre and it is one of America's least diverse cities. Urbanophile's Aaron M. Renn explains why.
Renn's column first appeared in the Portland Oregonian on January 17, 2010. He suggests that Portland's livability may paradoxically be an obstacle to increasing its economic performance.
Renn writes that people "move to Portland for values and lifestyle; for personal more than professional reasons; to consume as much as to produce. People move to Portland to move to Portland.
Portland may also lack the diversity needed to be a truly dynamic city." Because, Renn explains, more diverse cities create a frisson that spurs innovation.
Thanks to Streetsblog New York City
FULL STORY: Replay: Picture-Perfect Portland?
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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.
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