Mother of the Month (M.O.M.) Lunch

A handful of COCers celebrated Principal Elaine Cogan’s title as “Mother of the Month” for the month of March at Mother’s Bistro & Bar in downtown Portland last Friday, March 27. A special menu featured some of Elaine’s recipes, including a Tuna Melt for lunch, Brisket Sauerbraten and Bouillabaisse for entrees, and Poppy Seed Layer Cake for dessert. A big thanks goes to Daniel for taking pictures. We’re just sorry he wasn’t in any of them! More photos of this event are available on Flickr.

Regional Innovation Forum, Land Use and Climate Change

I was fortunate to participate in just over a day and a half Regional Innovation Forum this past Friday and Saturday.  Since COC-er Dave Mayfield had the electric vehicle track covered on Friday, I attended the Social Innovation track. Some very inspiring persons doing good work in Portland, regionally and in the world.  In these sometimes gloomy days, I needed the inspiration!

The Climate Change Solutions Summit Saturday was what I was really hopeful for.  The afternoon session sponsored by Metro and was focused on Climate Change. I was not disappointed.  There was a good mix of efforts underway regionally, and time was sufficient for focused discussion in small groups.  From the panel presentation, an Oregon Environmental Council rep answered my most burning question du jour:  where is the state on focusing on land use transportation targets to help meet Western Climate Initiative/ Kyoto Protocol goals (e.g., akin to California’s work)?

Turns out the Govenor’s Jobs and Transportation Act was supposed to include targets akin to California’s regional planning targets, but it was inadvertently left out!  Therefore, this post is a call to action to all planners.  Since we wonk it up for a living, we need to pay attention to this now.  It would be a huge shame if this session ended without a good start on land use and transportation strategies to help focus our collective efforts on climate change causing greenhouse gas reduction actions.

A bill I have seen thanks to Dave’s attendance at the Governor’s Alternate Fuels Infrastructure Working group is HB 3311 introduced by Representative Greenlick. It looks to me like this bill may be attempting to move the land use transportation GHG reduction target conversation forward if it doesn’t make it back into the Jobs and Transportation Bill.  Please stay tuned!

More on the fabulous Regional Innovation Forum later.

PSU Forum April 3: How What People Think Affects Planners

NOTICE OF FORUM ON THE ROLE FOR PLANNING
IN THE FUTURE OF OREGON

APRIL 3, 2009 – HOW WHAT PEOPLE THINK AFFECTS PLANNERS?

ROOM 204, LEARNING CENTER WING OF THE URBAN CENTER BUILDING
10 TO 11:30 AM

Guest Speaker:  Adam Davis, a founding partner of Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc.  The firm has conducted surveys and focus groups throughout the Northwest.  Their specialty areas include public values and beliefs, and community planning and development.  Mr. Davis will discuss attitudes of Oregonians on issues that affect planners and public policy.

The forum is arranged by Arnold Cogan, FAICP, Planner-in-Residence in the Nohad A. Toulan School or Urban Studies and Planning.

This forum will be webcast live and archived for future viewing.  As in past forums, the event will stimulate spirited conversation, focus our expectations on the role of planning in the future and provide students, faculty and others with new insights.

For more information, please contact Arnold Cogan at:  503-225-0192 or at arnold.cogan@coganowens.com.

PSU Sustainable Regional Economy

Bob Wise is going to be a panel chair at the following PSU-City of Portland Symposium. Hope to see you there!

Save the Date
April 30 & May 1
Building University-Community Partnerships for a Sustainable Regional Economy

Join Portland State University President Wim Wiewel, Portland Mayor Sam Adams and other regional leaders to discuss how to create the most sustainable regional economy in the U.S. Hear from experts on how universities contribute to sustainability and help develop a collaborative model to reach shared goals.

Cost: Day 1 – $50, Day 2 – $25

Download the save the date flyer.