The South Waterfront District is a new, high-density urban neighborhood being constructed on 130 acres of brownfield land (the last major undeveloped land in Portland's downtown core) along the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. The largest economic development project in the City's history estimated at $10 billion, South Waterfront is also one of the largest and “greenest” sustainable urban redevelopment projects in the nation. Built on the foundation of Oregon's innovative land use planning system and the local/regional planning goals of preventing sprawl, creating transportation alternatives and collaborative public-private partnerships, South Waterfront provides a transferable model for low-impact, market-driven sustainability in a high-density environment. The Session will analyze the key elements of success, including the following:

Green Building: The majority of residential and commercial buildings in the District will pursue Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, with the Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) Center for Health and Healing as the centerpiece, having received platinum LEED certification, the Council's highest ranking.

Housing: Starting with phase 1 of the 38-acre mixed use River Blocks neighborhood (3000 residential units including 20% at affordable rates and 5000 jobs), at buildout the project will include 20 city blocks of new, high-rise mixed use residential and commercial spaces.

Architecture and Design: With required maintenance of public views toward the Willamette River and hills, each block is designed by a different architect, blending modern design with a lively, active street life, the riverbank and open spaces. Local design guidelines illustrate principles such as “brownscape” design, energy efficiency, stormwater reuse, preservation of industrial artifacts and ecological restoration.

Transportation Options: Multiple modes of transportation, including streetcar, bus, walking/biking trails and a public aerial tram carrying an estimated 5000 to 7000 passengers per day between the district and the adjacent OHSU campus. Correlation of transportation alternatives and investment rates discussed.

The session proposes to describe the key forces behind the creation of Oregon's most dense neighborhood – and how it is becoming one of the greenest, most energy efficient and livable communities in the U.S. Regulatory and planning structures, design guidelines and project metrics will be analyzed, with recommendations from local stakeholders on replicating project features in other locations.