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How might we restore vibrancy in cities and regions facing economic decline? Read the challenge brief

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Portland, urban growth boundary

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Urban Growth Boundaries

Urban growth boundaries act to control sprawl and to consolidate public services.
Urban growth boundaries (UGBs) act to control sprawl and to consolidate public services. Many cities facing economic decline, like Detroit, were hollowed out because of suburban flight, which transform vibrant cities into vast landscapes "pockmarked with very ugly, blighted areas" as Jim Hackett said.

With a UGB, money can be spent to maintain existing roads, public transit, and other services within the city center, instead of continuously building new roads which take business away from the central area.

The initial UGB in Portland, OR was based on a projection of the need for urban land by multiple counties and stakeholders, as well as the land development plans of individual property owners. The boundary can expand with time, but it is managed by an authority like Portland's Metro (the elected regional government).

Portland is an incredibly vibrant place with exciting public transit growth, lively neighborhoods, and a cohesive community identity. I believe that the observation of a boundary has a lot to do with its success.

This blog specifically links Portland's UGB success with Detroit's situation.
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Whitney Quesenbery

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November 09, 2011, 10:47PM
Sounds like the Green Belts in the UK.
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Vincent Cheng

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November 09, 2011, 06:03PM
Interesting inspiration Alix...focus resources on maintaining the city center and manage sprawl. I also wonder what other ways there are to manage urban movement to the outer city reaches & suburbs.

For some families, they view suburbs as a better place for their kids (safety, education,...). In other cases, people simply can't afford to live in the center of things (housing/rental prices,...).
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Alix Gerber's reply to Whitney Quesenbery's comment

Alix Gerber

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November 09, 2011, 06:24PM
Hi Vincent,

There are definitely still suburbs and beautiful places to raise kids around and within Portland. I grew up in West Linn (a 30-minute drive from Portland city center) and attended the amazing public school system here. On the Portland UGB map, it looks like West Linn lies within the boundary. I'm learning as I'm posting about this, so I'm not sure how suburbs are managed... I'll try to find out more!
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Vincent Cheng's reply to Whitney Quesenbery's comment

Vincent Cheng

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November 09, 2011, 07:19PM
No worries, just asking questions & learning from your posts ;).

Also thinking that ensuring public safety, quality education, & affordable housing are available within urban areas is important to maintaining a diverse, vibrant city, and avoiding "hollow-out".
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Meena Kadri

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November 09, 2011, 06:18AM
Great provocation round our challenge topic, Alix!
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