It has been a long time since our last Comprehensive Plan

The City’s first Comprehensive Plan, or Comp Plan, was created in 1980. That plan served the city well. Since 1980, Portlanders have worked hard to link land use, transportation, economic development, greenspaces and people together, while building strong neighborhoods. Portlanders cleaned up the Willamette River, built parks and light rail lines instead of freeways, and have taken everyday action to dramatically reduce per capita carbon emissions. But the policies, development approaches and investments that served Portlanders in the 1980s and 90s may not provide the direction needed in the 21st century. It is time for a new plan.

We need to meet statewide planning regulations

Portland is updating the Comprehensive Plan because the State of Oregon’s Department of Land Conservation and Development determined that Portland must complete a Comprehensive Plan update.

We’re growing

Today, more than 584,000 people call Portland home. Over the last 30 years, Portland gained more than 200,000 residents. Most of this growth occurred when portions of east Portland and west Portland were annexed by the City. By 2035, Portland is expected to grow by nearly 280,000 people, all within the boundaries we have today. Forecasts also indicate that by 2035 Portland may add nearly 150,000 jobs. We need to figure out where new housing and jobs should be located.

We have a new strategic plan — The Portland Plan

The Portland Plan includes a Five-Year Action Plan and Guiding Policies. It directs the City to complete a new Comprehensive Plan that explicitly addresses equity, implements the Healthy Connected City concept, recognizes the relationship between the built environment and youth success, and supports a prosperous economy for all.

The city has changed

Today, despite many successes, there are significant trends and issues Portland must respond to in order maintain and improve our quality of life. Bringing the city’s guiding land use, conservation and transportation plan in line with current needs and best practices is one of the reasons we are updating the Comprehensive Plan. For information on trends, issues and challenges, please read the Introduction to the Working Draft Part 1.