Portland has demonstrated leadership and commitment to an urban policy for sustainable development. The numerous plans and programs implemented over the past three decades demonstrate the long-term vision of the city and the commitment to institutionalize sustainability policies, practices and results. One of these programs was VisionPDX that allowed the community to get involved in the creation of the future of Portland for 2030.

Situation

• Between 1885 and 1915, Portland’s population increased by 300% and its physical boundaries grew by 154%.
• Portland was facing upcoming metropolitan problems such as continuous population growth and global warming.
• It needed affordable property and to ensure job creation for the next 20 years. These factors would all have a huge impact on Portland’s future.

Objectives

• Create a 20 year plan for Portland in close collaboration with its community.
• A healthy ecosystem, an easy-to-use transportation system, availability of good jobs and schools.
• Mayor Potter wanted to strengthen existing and create new community networks that could be self-sustaining, reducing the burden on local government by solving issues themselves.
• Improve policies on sustainability and infrastructure.
• Create more public spaces for cycling and walking.
• Gain support of Portland’s community members. Work together to encourage public debates on Portland’s upcoming problems. Support suggestions to create a better environment towards the future.

Assets

• Support of the Portland community which pushed the project forward.

Strategy

• The city of Portland made the project a joint venture with the community, to reach its target in 2030.
• The government published and promoted as much information as possible, to encourage the people of Portland to join the debate.

Actions

• In 2005, Portland’s Mayor Tom Mayer initiated a community led project named Vision PDX.
• Portland was the first city in the U.S. with a global plan to reduce carbon emissions. In June 2005, it became the first city to reach the Kyoto Protocol target.
• A website was published, ensuring the public could follow the latest developments and news of the project.
• Regular group discussions took place and various surveys were collected to collect as many opinions of the community as possible.

Effect

• More than 17,000 residents were involved in the Portland Plan.
• All 21,000 pages of data gathered was summarized into a 300-page report, which became an essential source for the development of the new Portland 2030 Plan.
• In 2007, the city had more than 37,000 acres of parkland.
• Over 120 miles of trails for walking, running and biking was created. (1996-2006)
• Since the year 2000, public transport use has increased by 65%.The use of cars in Portland grew at the slowest pace across the United States.