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Opinion: Oregon Values and Innovation Can Shape Our Future Growth

Oregon’s 2050 Vision: A Call for Innovative Planning Solutions

As Oregon anticipates an influx of one million new residents by 2050, it faces critical challenges that demand urgent attention. Experts Megan Horst of Portland State University and Gil Kelley, an urban planning consultant and former Portland planning director, emphasize the need for strategic planning to address an ongoing housing crisis, climate change effects, and economic shifts. Their insights are part of the OSU Press publication "Toward Oregon 2050: Planning a Better Future."

The state’s demographic landscape is set to evolve significantly, with a rising proportion of residents aged 65 and over and an increasingly diverse youth population. To accommodate this growth, Oregon must deploy innovative solutions while building on its storied land-use planning framework established in 1973. This unique system has facilitated the preservation of agricultural and forest lands, supported economic diversity, and fostered compact urban communities.

However, recent pressures, including rising homelessness and business interests, have led to calls for modifications to this system, particularly in light of housing production challenges. Horst and Kelley argue that strengthening the existing land-use program is crucial for maintaining Oregon’s values and identity. Compact, walkable cities are essential for combating climate change and ensuring affordable housing where infrastructure and services exist.

To effectively address these needs, the authors propose three forward-thinking strategies for the upcoming legislative session: pausing Urban Growth Boundary expansions, optimizing existing industrial lands for economic development, and integrating climate action goals into land-use planning laws. Additionally, they suggest larger concepts, such as land-value taxes on vacant properties and investments in high-speed rail, to enhance connectivity within the Pacific Northwest.

As the 2025 Legislature convenes, Oregonians are called to engage in shaping a sustainable and prosperous future that reflects the state’s innovation legacy.

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