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

Transportation

Portland Wants You to Redesign Those Bright Orange Bikes

Hate the color of our city's communal bikes? Channel your rage into a new design.

02/14/2018 By Marty Patail

Terminal 1%

Welcome to the Portland Airport's Brand-New Elite Terminal

How does the other half fly? A custom scent greets PDX’s private planes and charter flights.

10/16/2017 By Katelyn Best

Bike Fun

Portland’s New Kid-Designed Bike Lane Art Is Delightful

Blast off—it's a cyclist in space!

10/06/2017 By Rebecca Jacobson

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

Transportation

Portland to Seattle in 17 Minutes? The Hyperloop Could Make It Happen.

It just means shooting through a pneumatic tube at 760 miles per hour.

05/15/2017 By Caleb Diehl

Real Estate 2017

Rising Prices. Fierce Bidding Wars. What's Next for Portland Real Estate?

Even in a world where anything can happen (right?), Portland remains a real estate promised land. What does that mean for the city? And where should you look?

03/20/2017 Edited by Zach Dundas

Real Estate 2017: Big Dreams

If Portland Has to Grow and Grow, We Have a Few Demands. Better Sashimi, for One.

From water taxis to truly great sushi, here's our big city wish list.

03/20/2017 By Margaret Seiler, Marty Patail, Zach Dundas, and Benjamin Tepler

The Shakedown

A Very Clear-Headed, Not-at-All-Cranky Appraisal of TriMet

See where this takes you.

12/20/2016 By Marty Patail

Essay

Portland Is Growing Like Never Before. What Should We Do Next?

Meet six imperatives of Portland’s urban future.

09/21/2016 By Randy Gragg

Commute of the Future

This Waterslide Is the Most Brilliantly Crazy Mass Transportation Idea You’ve Ever Seen

Portland design firm Industry reveals its blueprints for an intercity waterslide.

09/21/2016 By Marty Patail

Bike Share

Biketown: Are We (Finally) Ready to Bike Share?

It's been a long time coming, and it's not even our first try. After 10 years of planning, Portland's Nike-sponsored bike share program is live.

07/21/2016 By Regina Winkle-Bryan

5 THINGS ABOUT

As the Portland Streetcar Turns 15, Here’s What You Need to Know about Our Little Trolley

Including whether you should wait or walk.

07/12/2016 By Marty Patail and Margaret Seiler

HISTORY

Slide Show: The Columbia River Highway Turns 100

The state-of-the-art road was designed to make Oregon “the playground of America.”

05/19/2016

HISTORY

The Columbia River Highway Turns 100

The state-of-the-art road was designed to make Oregon “the playground of America.”

05/19/2016 By Doug Kenck-Crispin

HOME DÉCOR

You Need One of These Free Refurbished MAX Signs

Don't fight it.

03/30/2016 By Marty Patail

THE FUTURE

In a New Era of High Prices and Soaring Popularity, What Will Portland Become?

As the cost of living skyrockets, new people pour in, and shiny new buildings rise, Portland must act fast to save its soul.

03/25/2016 Edited by Zach Dundas By Marty Patail, Brian Libby, Randy Gragg, and Ramona DeNies

URBAN PLANNING

You Think Portland Traffic Is Bad Now?

Just wait. But all is not lost.

03/25/2016 By Marty Patail

HEALTH

Uber to Deliver Health Kits and Flu Shots to Portlanders

This Thursday, UberHealth will bring you a "wellness pack" and flu shots for up to 10 people (registered nurse included).

11/17/2015 By Marty Patail

BIG PICTURE

Like Most of Our Favorite Things, Portland's Newest Bridge Was Hand Made

Local photographer Bruce Forster shares dozens of photos of Tilikum Crossing's built-by-hand span.

08/24/2015 By Marty Patail