The first U.S. incorporated west of the Rockies—Oregon City—is moving forward with a redevelopment plan that will provide public access to the stunning Willamette Falls.
"After remaining obscured from view for more than a century, Willamette Falls is slated to reopen to the public as part a grand riverfront redevelopment project near downtown Oregon City," reports Ian K. Kullgren.
"An agreement between local officials and private developers finalized this week will fund the construction of a new river walk next to the falls, the first step in a broader plan to create a tourism hub highlighting the area's historic impact on western settlement."
Oregon City's plans for the redevelopment of the 23-acre former home of the Blue Heron Paper Mill site in Oregon City caught Planetizen's attention back in April. Since then the city found a developer to buy the site and have more forward with plans for the riverwalk. In addition to providing access to Willamette Falls, the redevelopment will hope to celebrate Oregon City as a key location in the history of the American West.
FULL STORY: New river trail to offer first up-close view of Willamette Falls

What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.

‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.

Montreal’s Gorilla Park Repurposes Defunct Railway Track
The park is part of a global movement to build public spaces that connect neighbors and work with local elements to serve as key parts of a city’s green infrastructure.

Art in Action: USC Event Calls for an Urgent Green Energy Transition
The El Respiro / Respire event at USC uses a large-scale human geochoreography to demand an urgent and equitable transition to green energy, blending art, activism, and community engagement to amplify the message of climate justice.

Safe Parking Programs Help People Access Housing
The safety and stability offered by Safe Parking sites have helped 40 percent of unhoused San Diego residents who accessed these programs get into permanent housing.

Study: Single-Staircase Buildings Pose No Additional Risks
Zoning codes have long prohibited single-stair residential buildings due to safety concerns, but changing that could lower the cost of construction and allow for more flexible housing designs.
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.
North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA)
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research