Portland, OR

Portland, OR seeks downtown tailpipe emission reductions with Zero-Emission Delivery Zone pilot

The first-of-its-kind zone in the United States prohibits gas-powered delivery vehicles in a 16-block area. Three loading zones are converted into ZEV-only zones and sensors monitor the types of traffic within the pilot area. The Bureau of Transportation will partner with B-Line Urban Delivery for last-mile logistics from delivery hubs. Portland received $2 million in federal transportation grants for the pilot with $15 million available for expansion if successful.

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Portland, OR

United States

Portland, OR turns underutilized office buildings into new apartments with conversion incentives

Portland faces a shortage of approximately 20,000 housing units based on current demand. The approved incentive package waives System Development Charges (SDCs) on office-to-apartment conversions. This waiver covers up to $3 million in SDCs and lasts through 2027 or as long as funds are available. The Portland City Council also changed seismic improvement standards on eligible projects to meet life safety performance levels at lower costs.

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Portland, OR

United States

Portland, OR Trees in the Curb Zone Pilot seeks environmental and traffic benefits from tree canopy

Local officials are seeking an innovative way to add trees in places with limited planting space. The Portland Bureau of Transportation plans tree plantings in parking lanes throughout the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood starting in 2024. Increased tree canopy will not only improve air quality but decrease speeds through high-density areas. The Pedestrian Design Guide and an engagement process with community members will shape design standards as well as site selection.

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Portland, OR

United States

Portland, OR develops Surveillance Technologies Policy for the protection of privacy rights

The Smart City PDX team is leading the city's engagement with residents on the new policy. A February 2022 draft requires a department-by-department inventory of current surveillance assets. Additional requirements include an annual report on surveillance activities, procurement rules for future technologies, and oversight guidelines. If approved, the policy would build on a 2020 ordinance banning the private-sector use of facial recognition in public places.

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Portland, OR

United States

Portland, OR and Trash for Peace employ unhoused residents for environmental service pilots

The Ground Score Leading Inclusively Together Through Environmental Recovery (GLITTER) program provides litter collection within encampments. This partnership also seeks reductions in littering and damage to public assets through an outreach pilot. Trained outreach workers speak with members of unhoused communities about waste management concerns before co-designing solutions. Starting pay for pilot workers is $20 per hour with higher pay available for outreach coordinators.

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Portland, OR

United States

Portland, OR Heat Response Program installs air-conditioning units in low-income households

The city of Portland implemented the Heat Response Program which works with local aid groups to distribute and install air-conditioning units in low-income households where residents are age 60 and older or have medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to heat. The program is using resources from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund to provide 15,000 AC units over the next five years.

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Portland, OR

United States

Portland, OR is requiring low-carbon concrete mixes for all future construction projects

The city of Portland's infrastructure bureaus of Environmental Services, Water, and Transportation have approved new requirements to use lower-carbon concrete mixes for all future city construction projects. The new low-carbon mixes are expected to yield up to 35% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional concrete mixes. According to the city’s engineers, low-carbon mixes can be designed to perform better than conventional concrete and are competitive in cost.

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Portland, OR

United States