New Urbanism in Oregon's Growth Managed Communities

Abstract

University of Washington Abstract New Urbanism in Oregon's Growth Managed Communities Cameron Andrew Morgens Duncan Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Manish Chalana, Assistant Professor Urban Design and Planning This thesis attempts to draw a qualitative relationship between the Statewide Planning Goals and Guidelines of the State of Oregon with the principles that comprise the design and planning movement known as New Urbanism, canonized in the Charter of the New Urbanism. The State of Oregon has for decades been a leader in the implementation and management of progressive growth management policy. New Urbanism is an architecture and planning movement that, among numerous goals, attempts to increase the livability of communities through intentional design interventions aimed at increasing the livability of neighborhoods and districts often reminiscent of traditional pre-war town planning techniques that have been largely abandoned in recent history. This thesis explores the relationship between the two through a comprehensive breakdown of the planning goals of the State of Oregon, accompanied by a qualitative analysis identifying the New Urbanist goals applicable to each. Following that exercise in relationship establishment, this thesis then uses a case study of a master planned New Urbanist neighborhood in the city of Bend, Oregon. This case study is meant to provide a real world assessment of the ways in which New Urbanist design principles are applied in the context of a city that operates within the parameters and rules of state growth management law. Conclusions about the applicability of New Urbanist design principles to growth-managed communities are drawn at the end, as well as suggestions for future research opportunities on the subject.