Sightline Institute’s reports on sprawl and smart growth in several Northwest cities analyze how each city did at curbing sprawl and developing efficiently, starting with the period of the 1990s. The reports and accompanying maps show the growth patterns in the greater metropolitan areas of Seattle-Tacoma (Washington), Portland (Oregon), and Vancouver (British Columbia). The 2004 report, The Portland Exception, compares Portland’s record at curbing sprawl and protecting rural land with 14 other US cities, including Seattle and Boise.
Reports and backgrounder:
- The Portland Exception
- Report: Greater Vancouver, BC’s smart-growth leadership has slipped
- Sprawl and Smart Growth in Greater Vancouver
- Sprawl and Smart Growth in Metropolitan Portland
- Sprawl and Smart Growth in Greater Seattle-Tacoma
- Backgrounder on sprawl and smart growth
Maps and charts that show differences in population density at a glance:
- Map of population density in Seattle in 2000, with links to maps for Boise, Eugene, Portland, Spokane, Vancouver, and other cities
- Seven Northwest Cities: The Smart-Growth Ranking
Also see Sightline’s pages on walkable neighborhoods:
- Why Walk? The Benefits of Walkable Neighborhoods
- What’s Walkable?
- Posts on Sightline Daily about Walkscore, which rates cities and neighborhoods for walkability
