Tools for Students
White Papers
The COPE report is based on interviews with 55 informed citizens, planners, elected officials, planning commissioners and others in related fields around the state. The interviews revealed considerable praise for Oregon’s planning system, for its contribution to community livability, protection of resource land, citizen involvement and other accomplishments. They also identified some areas that merit careful review and discussion.
Congratulations to PSU Project
A team of Portland State University Masters in Urban and Regional Planning students, also known as the Celilo Planning Studio, has received one of three national student awards from the American Planning Association for its work in the town of Cascade Locks, Oregon. The planning group earned an award for "implementation of the planning process," which involved extensive work with residents and administrative staff from the city.
The PSU project, called "Connect Cascade Locks: a Recreational Trails Plan for Economic Development," was conducted between January and June of 2012 for the Port of Cascade Locks. The students conducted a trail user and community survey, and held local workshops and an open house. The final plan makes recommendations for trail and business amenities and trail stewardship, and has been adopted by the Planning Commission, the City Council and the local Tourism Committee.
The plan provides a comprehensive guide to city planners that will enable the completion of an interconnected pedestrian and bike trail system that will tie together the Pacific Crest Trail, local newly developed trails and Historic Columbia River State Trail. The improved network will serve as an economic driver for the city's economy. Residents and local leaders hope that this new focus on trail-based economic development will help the community create jobs and earn a reputation as an outdoor recreation destination in the Gorge.
The team, which consists of Sara Morrissey, Sarah Bronstein, Michael Ahillen, Ellen Dorsey, Chloe Ritter and Danielle Fuchs, will be recognized for their work at the APA conference in Chicago in April.
See the entire plan at www.connectcascadelocks.com
The Guide Community Visioning
Steven C. Ames, ed. 1998, 41 pp (APA Planners Press.) $15.00 + $5 shipping for Oregon residents; $25.00 + $7 shipping outside Oregon.
In recent years, strategic planning has swept the country as the preferred model of community planning. This guide offers a practical approach for communities wishing to begin the strategic planning process. It will help citizens understand the connection between the kind of place they want their community to be and the policies that will support their vision. It shows how to design and implement an effective visioning process, provides ideas on how to use graphics in visioning, and points you to additional resources. The revised edition updates profiles of communities originally involved in the Oregon Visions Projects.
Contact Stephanie Kennedy at oapa@oregonapa.org to order.
