Risk-averse Regionalismthe Cautionary Tale Of Portland, Oregon, And Affordable Housing

摘要

Looking for lessons for an emerging progressive regionalism, this article examines a stymied effort by a leading case of new regionalism to forge a regional consensus on affordable housing. It highlights a risk-averse streak in Portland, Oregon's regionalism, emerging when the region moved beyond implementation of state mandates in affordable housing. Such issues, with implications for social and economic equity, clearly engender controversy. Progressive action in these areas may require support from higher levels of government and a greater acceptance of conflict as a part of politics and governance, neither of which was on display in the Portland case.