3.22.2013

Uzbekistan observes Portland's "Habits of the Heart" on Whirlwind Study Tour

Uzbekistan lies at the heart of the Central Asia. One of only two doubly-landlocked countries in the world (the other is Liechtenstein) and a gateway to Iran and Afghanistan, this country is of strategic importance to Russia, China, and the United States. An independent nation since 1991, Uzbekistan’s emergence on the world stage compels it to think independently about the long-term effects of its decision-making.

This, we learned, after we received a request from a TV producer with the US Department of State and the
Office of Broadcast Support. He would be hosting three TV journalists from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for a two-week study tour of US to document stories on "ecological advances in the US." The delegation would be attending the Better Living Show at Portland's Expo Center, he explained, and wondered if First Stop might be able to share some of Portland's sustainable innovations with the group. It wouldn't be enough to talk about what's happening in Portland, he insisted. First Stop would nee to help the crew bring Portland's policies and best practices to life for 30 million cable television viewers in Uzbekistan--in a single day!

Despite the threat of heavy rains and 40 MPH gusts, the crew started the day early on the Hawthorne Bridge for the morning commute. They met with BTA Executive Director Rob Sadowsky who shared the story of America's first bike counter with the visitors. It collects all sorts of data that helps us make the case for bicycles, he explained. When asked how groups like Cycle Oregon and the BTA are connected to Portland's government, Rob explained the important role that Portland's citizen activists play in the city's sustainability innovations.

(Click the images to view full size.)

3.14.2013

Conference Update: 7th Annual International Association on Planning, Law, and Property Rights tours Portland

When most people think of First Stop Portland, they likely think of study tours which connect world leaders with local experts for on the ground learning experiences via mobile workshops, field studies, presentations and debrief sessions. No wonder why-- we've hosted over 1800 visitors as part of 150 delegations since our program came online back in 2009.

Most folks probably don't know that First Stop Portland also develops customized field studies for conferences meeting here in Portland. From our first, the 27th International Making Cities Livable Conference in the Spring of 2009 to our most recent, the 7th International Association on Planning, Law and Property Rights Conference (PLPR) this February, First Stop has shared the Portland Story with over 1200 people attending 18 different national and international conferences.

Unlike our usual study tours, in which First Stop develops programming based on the delegation's expressed goals or interests, our conference programming must connect Portland's experts and experiences to the specific conference theme--usually for a diverse group of people in a very limited time.

3.08.2013

First Stop hosts "All the King's Men" from Bangkok, Thailand

First Stop recently hosted a delegation from Bangkok, Thailand comprised of 3 academics and 8 government officials who were in the US to attend the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in Kansas City as guests of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Local Government Commission. While in the states, the Thais decided a trip to Portland was in order because of the city's reputation for innovative approaches to sustainable development. They hoped to learn more about Portland's tools like urban renewal, mixed use, land use, compact building design, housing choices, walkable neighborhoods, placemaking, and redevelopment of existing communities. While they were at it, they wanted to explore Portland's transportation choices, including streetcar, bicycle system, and transit-oriented development. In other words, they didn't want to see too much in a two-day visit!

The delegation was led by Dr. Tanapon Panthasen, a lecturer in the Division of Urban and Environmental Planning at Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand. Also on the trip were mayors of nearby municipalities, representatives of the Crown Property Bureau (a quasi-government agency responsible for managing the property of the Crown of the Kingdom of Thailand) and the head of the Smart Growth Thailand Institute.

The delegation visited City Hall where they exchanged ideas with representatives from Portland's Office of Equity and Human Rights and Office of Neighborhood Involvement. They also took time to discuss research with faculty from the Hatfield School of Government.

Then, they hit the streets, exploring Portland's complete neighborhoods by transit--aerial tram, light rail, streetcar, and bus-- from South Waterfront and the Pearl District to the Sunnyside Neighborhood and Belmont District.

What did these leaders from an Asian mega-city of 12M inhabitants think of their visit to the little city of Portland? During an informal debrief session on a downtown-bound #15 bus, the group shared their reflections on their two-day study tour.

3.01.2013

First Stop Answers White House Request for Round Table on Green Manufacturing

"Would  First Stop Portland help the White House connect with local Portland innovators?" was this week's email inquiry. Our reply? A resounding YES!

Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers (ORACW) Executive Director Jay Williams had planned travel to Portland. While here, he wanted to connect with our manufacturing sector for a conversation about the city's efforts in promoting green manufacturing and how the federal government might be able to help.

First Stop Portland rose to the challenge, convening Portland's innovators from the public, private, advocacy, and university sectors. Seated at the table were Drive Oregon, OTREC, Looptworks Manufacturing, Oregon Micro-enterprise Network, Oregon BEST, AIMCO Global, CH2M Hill, Indow Windows, ONAMI, PDC, City of Portland, Metro, and PSU's College of Urban and Public Affairs and Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science.


Moderator Jonathan Fink, PSU Vice President for Research and Strategic Partnerships, started the session with the question "What makes Portland special?"  Metro President Tom Hughes answered, "Our habit of looking for regional solutions."  PSU Faculty Ethan Seltzer supported the benefits of a regional approach: "People say 'Portland' but mean the region--it's a brand."

What can Portland offer to recovering rust belt cities like Detroit or Youngstown, Ohio, where Williams served as mayor from 2006-2011?