#PDXinRome ~ SPQR is our PDX

First Stop Portland Director Nancy Hales is in Rome for a two-day summit on cities and climate change hosted at the Vatican by Pope Francis and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. She'll be updating us on her experiences and observations as she meets with leaders from around the globe throughout the week.

 

You can follow her updates in real-time on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

SPQR is our PDX. It is stamped everywhere in Rome: on manhole covers, corners of buildings, even bar napkins.  Senatus Populusque Romanus means "the Senate and People of Rome," and is almost as old as the city itself.  How old you ask?  Rome was founded April 17, 753 BC.

One would think that a city founded 27 centuries ago would have little in common with one only begun in 1851. Ha! I found multiple connections for the civitas. Here are my top seven:

1. Claiming two founding fathers and legends: Rome’s founding fathers were Romulus and Remus. They also claim being nursed by a she-wolf. Portland’s fathers, Francis Pettigrove and Asa Lovejoy, don’t have such auspicious beginnings, but did have that famous coin toss.

San Juan Mayor unveils "Walkable City" plan- with just a little help from First Stop Portland

By Kyle Curtis
First Stop Portland


In April 2010, First Stop Portland was pleased to host a visiting delegation of developers, architects, planners, politicians, and students from Puerto Rico. During their week-long stay in Portland, this delegation examined Portland's sustainable urban infrastructure; transit options and policy; how Portland has been able to reduce its carbon footprint in the central business district; and how Portland's Climate Action Plan influences land use policy. Besides learning about such various organizations as Metro, 1000 Friends of Oregon, and Ecotrust, the Puerto Rico delegation was also treated to both a guided tour of the Columbia Gorge as well as a dinner provided by chef Leather Storrs on the eco-roof of Noble Rot restaurant.