Urban Form & Transportation
Density, land use patterns and the transportation system interact to determine how well cities fulfill their fundamental task of bringing people together.
Urban Form & Transportation Read More »
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Generating new ideas and creating new businesses drives city economies and national economic growth.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Read More »
Economic Opportunity
A key measure of economic success has to be whether we provide widely shared opportunities for economic advancement.
Economic Opportunity Read More »
Placemaking & the Consumer City
The quality of life in cities is an essential ingredient and contributor to economic prosperity.
Placemaking & the Consumer City Read More »
Housing Markets
The creation and allocation of living space within a metropolitan area shapes our well-being and the regional economy.
Metro Economics
Metropolitan areas are the fundamental organizational units of our global, knowledge-based economy.
Distinctiveness
Every city has its own unique character and strengths which shape its economic opportunities.
Widening the I-5 Rose Quarter Freeway
Should Portland spend $800 million to widen the I-5 Rose Quarter Freeway?
Widening the I-5 Rose Quarter Freeway Read More »
Welcome to City Observatory!
Welcome to what matters for city success. Our original analysis and in-depth research on cities and urban issues is designed to inform community leaders, policy makers, policy wonks and the rest of us.
Welcome to City Observatory! Read More »
Portland
Portland is our home and a local laboratory for many interesting developments in urban living.