3.1.2. The FMC: Complete neighbourhoods (formerly 20-minute city) The documents analysed for this case study are the urban development documents ‘Portland Plan’ and ‘Portland Climate Action Plan’ (See City of Portland, 2012, 2015a; Portland Development Commission, 2020) formulated and published in 2012 and 2015 respectively, with the description of corresponding actions and policies to guide future development. Additional documents were taken into consideration based on the recommendations of city managers. The Portland Plan is an urban growth plan for the city with a long-term duration from 20122035 to counter the projected population growth in the city and is based on objectives of liveability, property, education, health and equity. It is implemented through the • • •
City’s comprehensive Plan update, revisions to the city budget legislative advocacy and intergovernmental agreements.
The plan sets a framework for short term actions in a Five-year action plan which are reviewed at the end of the term and changes are amended in the Portland Plan according to the progress. Equity has been of prime importance from the outset in Portland plan with an objective to counter the racial, ethnic and age divide in the city with special emphasis on the youth of the marginalised communities (36% of the total young population) by providing equal opportunities to jobs, equitable access to the services and building self-sufficiency of households. The plan is articulated into three integrated strategies thriving educated youth, economic prosperity and affordability, healthy connected cities The first strategy ‘Thriving Educated Youth’ focuses on creating a supporting environment for the young population, neighbourhoods, and communities through provision of services and programs that meet contemporary challenges and opportunities. The second strategy, ‘Economic prosperity and Affordability’ is hinged on placemaking through boosting urban innovation, local job growth and employment opportunities, access to affordable housing for all demographic sections of society and improving neighbourhood business vitality. The third strategy, ‘Healthy Connected City’ refers to safety and health of citizens, regeneration of neighbourhoods, connecting people to natural elements and conserving the blue green infrastructure. The concept of ‘Complete Neighbourhoods’ (FMC) is mentioned under the third strategy of ‘Healthy connected neighbourhoods’ On the other hand, The Portland Climate Action Plan 2015 sets carbon emission targets for the city of Portland and County of Multnomah. Its special emphasis is on reduction of emissions generated from transportation which is the largest contributor among all sectors (43%). The document identifies Land use planning and transportation policies as pivotal instruments to meet the targets for reducing 80% carbon emissions in the region by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. 50
