Portland: Case study

Douglas College student research presentation submitted as partial requirement for GEOG 2311 course as part of the STEP UP (Student Teams Exploring Pervasive Urban Problems) program. Faculty sponsor to submit this research presentation to DOOR: Dr. Michael McPhee. The purpose of this project was to explore how the city of Portland was approaching sustainability. Our case study builds on the article from the course textbook Can a City Be Sustainable? which showcases the city of Portland and their green initiatives. Using the Worldwatch Institute’s seven criteria for a sustainable city, we analysed Portland’s efforts to determine whether the city could be considered to be sustainable. In our presentation, we go over the basic logistics of the city, what issues are present, and how Portland is addressing them. To conclude, we took a critical approach and evaluated Portland’s sustainable efforts. Through our research, we found that the proactive approach taken by Portland in implementing sustainable changes plays a critical role in making it a green city.