Twilight Zoning

The Curious Case of Damascus, Oregon—The Undead City

Over the course of 15 years, the Portland suburb has gained, lost, and regained city status. Where does it stand today?

09/23/2019 By Zach Dundas

Urban Achiever

This Rising Political Star Could Redefine the Portland Region

And you probably don’t even know her name. (It’s Lynn Peterson, and she’s taking over Metro.)

12/21/2018 By Randy Gragg Photography by Nicolle Clemetson

Development

Can This Radical Plan Reinvent the Rose Quarter?

Right now, the community-born Albina Vision Trust may be just a dream. But it's quite the dream.

09/18/2018 By Zach Dundas

Development

The Massive Post Office Makeover Will Transform Northwest Portland

The project will reshape a whole neighborhood off the Broadway Bridge. It will, admittedly, take a while.

04/24/2018 By Zach Dundas

Real Estate 2018

The Huge Real Estate Projects Shaping the Future of Portland

Think Portland has “changed”? Brace yourself. The next 20 years promise big-time growth and dramatic transformation.

03/27/2018 Edited by Zach Dundas

Real Estate 2018: Rockwood Arises

Can One of Portland’s Poorest Neighborhoods Build Its Way to Prosperity?

Rockwood has bold—but controversial—plans to try.

03/27/2018 By Randy Gragg

Real Estate 2018: Slabtown Sensations

What Will Become of Rapidly Changing Slabtown?

Amid a rising skyline, street-level humanity prevails (for now).

03/27/2018 By Zach Dundas

Real Estate 2018: The Blueprint

What Will Portland Look Like in 2035? The City Is About to Decide.

One little factor: there could be almost 850,000 of us.

03/27/2018 By Zach Dundas

Editor's Note

From the Editor: A Radical Plan to Transform the Rose Quarter

With the Albina Vision Trust, Portland native Rukaiyah Adams sets out to transform the problem-plagued neighborhood.

03/27/2018 By Zach Dundas

Urban Futures

Will Robot Cars Rule Portland's Streets?

National thinkers gathered here to ponder what autonomous vehicles will do to our cities. Who's driving this thing?

03/13/2018 By Randy Gragg

Urban Nature

3 New Ways for Portlanders to Get Outdoors in 2018

Start your Fitbits: this year, the Green Loop makes a Sunday Parkways cameo, several city parks get a facelift, and an east side dock opens to summer swimmers.

01/17/2018 By Sarah Hutchins

Design

Could This Cruddy Swatch of Concrete Become a Riverside Paradise?

Water Avenue Yards may never happen, but it would be glorious.

10/16/2017 By Emma Mannheimer

Essay

Massive Growth Is Transforming Portland. What Do We Need to Do Next?

We size up the blown chances and promising opportunities.

09/21/2017 By Randy Gragg Illustrations by Matteo Berton

Housing

Portland Desperately Needs Affordable Housing. These 5 Cities Show a Way Forward.

These are ideas worth stealing.

09/21/2017 By Marty Patail

Urban Future

What Kind of Development Does Portland Need Right Now?

We asked three local players for their take.

09/21/2017 By Fiona McCann

Urban Dips

Will Portland Get a Public Swimming Dock Just off the Eastbank Esplanade?

If so, it could take several years. (Upside: summers will probably be even more scorching by then!)

09/13/2017 By Ramona DeNies

Big City Lights

These 4 Giant Apartment Buildings Will Change Downtown Living in Portland

Our city's skyline is rising.

09/13/2017 By Marty Patail

Ideas & Innovations 2017: Social Entrepreneurs

4 Big Ideas Making Portland a Better City Right Now

From ice cream as brain food to the alley of the future, these local initiatives are making a difference.

06/12/2017 By Ramona DeNies and Zach Dundas

Urban Design

Behold the New Plan for Oregon City's Riverwalk

Just one minor detail: is there enough money to build it?

06/08/2017 By Rachel Wilson

Forest Park: The Future

Forest Park Is About to Change—For Better or Worse

After decades of dreaming, big shifts—from a shiny visitors center to mountain bike trails—await the city's crown jewel.

05/15/2017 By Benjamin Tepler