2014 National Convening Skills Presenations Portland Plan | Page 60

THE PORTLAND PLAN
Economic Prosperity and Affordability

Element 2

Public and private
urban innovation
Maintain a leadership position in sustainability and support
innovation, research, development and commercialization of new
technologies. Strive to produce a “next generation” urban setting
that fosters creativity and invention.
Portland’s focus on sustainability is
an economic asset and an advantage
over peer cities. To stay competitive,
the volume and speed of the results
in resource conservation and green
innovation must increase. The
export of knowledge, expertise
and production related to urban
economic productivity through
sustainable practices, technology and
greater equity must also increase.
Portland enjoys the position of being
one of the most fully functional
urban laboratories for innovation in
sustainability. The city has valuable
experience built on rethinking
infrastructure investments; examples
include:
1. Active transportation including our transit, streetcar and bicycle systems
2. Green stormwater system
3. The trail-linked open space system
Portland universities and businesses are active in research and development
and the commercialization of new technologies. Policies and programs, such
as Clean Energy Works Oregon and Solarize Portland have contributed to
growing the market for green building technologies and practices and have
demonstrated how job creation can be part of reducing energy use and
resource consumption.
Portland has a solid record of business growth related to urban innovation,
including startups and niche product development. Examples include bicycle
manufacturing, green building and stormwater products and services, local
food businesses, planning and design, and international tourism.
Connections to other cities, nationally and internationally, and widening
recognition of Portland as a sustainability leader have contributed to making
the region and city more innovative and prosperous.

Guiding Policies

P-6

P-7

P-8

P-9

Enhance Portland as a national
model for sustainability and as a
center for business development
by commercializing sustainability
practices, products and services.
Grow the local market for energy
efficiency through incentives, marketbased mechanisms and other
programs. Use energy efficiency
improvements to increase Portland’s
long-term affordability and resiliency
and to reduce carbon emissions.
Build on the advantages of the
Central City as a center for innovation,
commerce, universities, sustainable
development, and green technology
systems (such as district energy).
Pursue universal, affordable and
reliable access to high-speed
information technology and the
devices and training to use it. Support
the deployment of high-bandwidth
infrastructure through clustering and
the co-location of users that need
very large broadband capacity.

Continue to promote innovation
in public projects related to
P-10 transportation and environmental
services, including the following: (1)
green infrastructure approaches as
part of cleaning up the Willamette
River, (2) an innovative active
transportation system — transit,
walking, use of mobility devices,
biking, car and bike sharing, etc., and
(3) urban parks and natural areas.
These will enhance the livability
of the city and give Portland a
competitive advantage in retaining
and attracting an educated,
productive workforce.
Support and invest in Portland’s
creative talent and leverage our arts
P-11 and culture community to drive
innovation and economic growth.
Connect Minority, Women-owned
and Emerging Small Businesses
P-12 (MWESB) with urban innovation
opportunities.

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April 2012 | www.pdxplan.com