Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: The Face of Density, Diversity, and Disparity in 20th Century Portland

We of the 21st century often congratulate ourselves on policies that have led to greater density and diversity in our urban settings, as remedies to the sprawl, ghettoization, and poverty that became the bane of planners and activists during the last half of the previous one hundred years. But the maps on this and following pages, generated by the Teaching American History Project of the Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies, suggest that there was plenty of density in various parts of the city at times in the twentieth century and a lot of diversity in certain neighborhoods. Often, these outcomes were the result of intentional policies of the city government and its business allies, especially those in real estate, transportation, and finance. Frequently, these policies perpetuated or accelerated poverty and decline in the neighborhoods--although those who made them said they were designed to ensure the greater good, or to conform to consensus values, or that they were promulgated because there were more pressing matters to address. Today, we have replaced these policies with different and (we think) more humane, forward looking ones where urban planning is concerned. But perhaps we have only proved that, as the proverb has it, \u27There is nothing new under the sun,\u27 or maybe that as the great historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. put it, we have yet to learn what is necessary and what is merely the product of our contingent arrangements

Metropolitan Briefing Book, 1997

The Metropolitan briefing book was developed to provide elected and appointed leaders in the six counties with information about issues and trends common to all corners of the region

Metropolitan Briefing Book, 2005

The Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies (IMS) was created to connect the resources of higher education to the issues and needs in the six-county, bi-state Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area (Clackamas, Clark, Columbia, Multnomah, Washington, and Yamhill Counties). We have included the IMS mission statement and roster of IMS board members in this publication to give readers a clear sense of who we are and how we serve the region. You can find out about all of our initiatives and download additional copies of this publication from our web site: www.upa.pdx.edu/IMS . The theme for this edition of the Metropolitan Briefing Book is Portland at the Crossroads. We chose this theme because the region is emerging from the recession, and we are observing changes in many of the factors that influence the everyday experiences of region\u27s citizens. Although we have become used to a certain pace of change, recessions tend to accelerate transformations, particularly those affecting the economy. Thus, the citizens of the Portland-Vancouver region find themselves adapting to changing expectations at work, learning to communicate with different kinds of people in their neighborhoods and workplaces, and dealing with a shifting array of social and economic challenges

Metropolitan Briefing Book, 2007

The Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies (IMS) was created to connect the resources of higher education to the needs of the six-county, bit-state Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area (Clackamas, Clark, Columbia, Multnomah, Washington, and Yamhill Counties). In this spirit, we offer our 2007 Metropolitan Briefing Book. Our theme is regional variety. Variety has been touted as the very spice of life (William Cowper) and as the mother of enjoyment (Vivan Grey). Our region enjoys a good deal of variety--in its landscapes, in its economy, and in its people, their cultures, and their attitudes. These differences are important to local vitality and beauty. But while we generally view this variety as positive, we also worry about equity. Although we promote regional thought and action, we must understand that each community experiences the problems facing us in a slightly different way and often with significantly different resources

Indicators of the Metroscape: Critical Issues

Every two years, the Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies (IMS) conducts two surveys to identify the critical issues in the six-county region that is its service area. A scientific telephone survey of the general public is conducted by the Portland State University Survey Research Laboratory. A second mail survey of opinion leaders is done by the Institute staff asking the same questions as in the phone poll. The comparative results are published in the IMS Briefing Book

Doctor is Out: Diminishing Access to Physician Care

Interview with Doug Walta, M.D., regarding access to physician care in Oregon

Critical Issues 2005

Biennially, the Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies (IMS) undertakes to identify the most compelling concerns, problems, and dilemmas facing citizens of the Portland metropolitan region. The region is defined as Clackamas, Colwnbia, Multnomah, Washington, and Yamhill Counties and Clark County in Washington. IMS staff analyzes the results of two Critical Issues list surveys, one of area residents at large conducted by the Survey Research Laboratory (SRL) of Portland State University (pSU), and the other a mail survey of regional opinion leaders. The opinion leaders are elected and appointed officials serving in jurisdictions throughout the six-county metropolitan region, academic experts in regional affairs, and citizen activists. The two surveys are compared and contrasted for points of congruity and contrast between the two cohorts surveyed. Staff completed 374 phone surveys of the general public; 424 of the region\u27s opinion leaders mailed back responses. This essay presents the results

Job Description: A Workforce Expert Discusses Problems, Policies, and Prospects in the New Economy

Transcript of an interview of workforce expert Ray Worden by Craig Wollner, discussing policy issues, employment trends, and public-private partnerships in Oregon

Critical issues 2007: Our region speaks its mind

The great historian Richard Hofstadter remarked that the United States was the only country born in perfection and aspiring to progress. Locally, what issues facing the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region (Clackamas, Clark, Washington, Columbia, Multnomah, Washington, and Yamhill counties) must we deal with immediately to preserve the vaunted quality of life in one of the most livable regions in the nation? The Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies (IMS) at Portland State University (PSU) in partnership with the PSU Survey Research Laboratory regularly conducts a biennial Critical Issues survey. Consisting of a telephone canvass of regional residents as well as a mail-back questionnaire from the region\u27s elected and appointed officials, academics, journalists, and citizen-activists, the 2007 Critical Issues Survey attempted to identify what Hofstadter would understand as our traditional need to make better of best. The problems identified by respondents to both surveys are compelling. They tell a story of leaders and ordinary residents battling with issues which, if neglected, could significantly impair our future. And the clearest news to come from the surveys is that both groups--the public and the opinion leaders--pinpoint the same topics as the ones requiring immediate attention: education, the economy, and health care