Despite a billion dollar investment, Portland’s newest neighborhood has not met expectations. People are quietly asking, “What went wrong in the Central District?” Conceived as a lively 24/7 mixed-use community within the South Waterfront, and blessed with urban renewal money and an ideal central city location, the neighborhood is notable […]

Have sociologists, economists, and historians fully explained why we invest so much time and treasure in this enterprise? The city rationally solves organizational problems in commerce, communication, and defense, but is there more to it? Other Sources: Lewis Mumford – “The City in History” Gwendolyn Leick – “Mesopotamia: The Invention of […]

Much of what we call infrastructure is out of sight, buried in the ground. A small percentage is visible and inspiring — certain bridges come to mind. But does the rest have to be a banal and boring presence in the midst of our cities? Are there ways to make […]

Unsuccessful entitlement seekers sometimes express astonishment that a project that “met all the criteria” went down in flames after a late night Planning Commission hearing. It does happen. Just being correct on the legal points is rarely enough to survive the public hearing crucible.

See what cities are doing to reclaim those scary places under bridges and freeways. Portland and other cities are turning leftover land into places for people. Other Sources: Nate Berg – “9 Cool Projects Under Freeway Overpasses” – The Atlantic Cities

CITY presents glimpses of upcoming stories from the worlds of city building, finance, law and governance.  

Soundmarks are the unique sound identifiers of a place. The Community and Sound – Soundmarks from Adore Recordings on Vimeo.

The new Randall Children’s Hospital, designed by ZGF Architects and built by Hoffman Construction, is a dramatic addition to the Legacy Emanuel campus in North Portland. The building was recently awarded ‘Best in Show’ at the 2012 Daily Journal of Commerce Top Project Competition. It features sustainable design strategies that […]

Watch out for what gets parked in a bike lane!