Portland's Urban Growth Boundary

The comprehensive plan is one plan that dictates growth in Portland. The most important factor in the growth of the city is the urban growth boundary put in place in 1979 by Portland’s regional government. The city itself is comprised of a portion of three counties and numerous smaller cities. Portland is the only city in the United States that has a regional government that acts as the metropolitan’s planning organizer. Metro is the regional government that is directly elected by the people. The primary responsibilities of Metro include regional land use, growth management and transportation planning. In 1979 Metro put the urban growth boundary in place. An urban growth boundary prohibits dense development outside of the boundary and promotes smart growth design. Urban growth boundaries protect the area surrounding a major city from sprawl, by limiting the area that can be developed on. The area outside of the urban growth boundary is often preserved as a green belt. The boundary protects farms and forests and encourages efficient land use. These boundaries also help protect the central business district by keeping it located in the heart of the city. Rather than having to build new infrastructure to accommodate growth outside of the city, money can be spent focusing on improving existing infrastructure. Urban growth boundaries can be considered a tool for smart growth. Smart growth emphasizes compact and mixed development in areas of existing infrastructure. Smart growth also promotes infill development which accommodates new residents and businesses in established residential communities and commercial areas using buildings that are already available. According to Professor Richard Rich, Global Environmental Issues professor he said, “while the rest of the nation sprawled, Portland managed to accommodate a 50% increase in population since the 1970’s with only a 2% increase in land area.”
Metro came up with a 2040 plan which focuses on long term growth planning. Under this plan and Portland’s master plan Metro includes the notion of transit oriented development. Transit oriented development, as discussed in Community Renewable Energy Systems, “promotes mixed-use and high-density development around light rail stops and transit centers, and the investment of the metropolitan area’s share of federal tax dollars into multiple modes of transportation.” Transit oriented development can also be considered a tool for smart growth. Portland has numerous mixed-use communities which provide high-density housing as well as business offices and stores to provide for the communities needs. These mixed-use developments are also conveniently located near mass transit stops so as to make car use unnecessary. One such transit oriented development which uses mixed-use zoning is Orenco Station. This community is located 15 miles from Portland and has a population of 2,600. There is a heavy focus on pedestrian and bicycle travel being that the light rail station is located four blocks away.
Portland uses a combination of transportation methods such as a Tri-Met which connects the commuter rail system, the light rail, the street car, as well as the local bus system. The reduction in personal automobile vehicle miles traveled by Portland residents has reduced emissions which in turn gives the area better air quality. Portland also has an interstate system with I-5 and I-405 and I-205 running through or around the Portland area. The TriMet system averages over 300,000 rides per weekday. This system began in 1969 and has 3 light rail lines, 1 commuter rail, 1 street car, and 98 bus routes. Employers are encouraged to give their employees TriMet passes rather than allow places for automobile parking. Regional planning has allowed for the growth and popularity of transit oriented communities.
In my opinion I think urban growth boundaries are a good thing. There a few negative elements such as it raises housing prices within its boundaries, but I think there are more positive aspects to growth boundaries. Higher densities as well as transit oriented development are two of the most important aspects to decreasing sprawl. Protection of critical environmental areas, such as farmland is also an important factor.