Planning, Public Policy and Management Capstone and Terminal Projects

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https://hdl.handle.net/1794/17

This collection includes theses and terminal projects written by graduate students in the University of Oregon's Dept. of Planning, Public Policy & Management and predecessor programs.

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Open Access
The Accessibility of Dinner: A Study of Food Accessibility in Bethel, Eugene, Oregon
(Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon, 2009-06-12) Schooley, Sara
Food system planning has recently emerged as a component of the city planner’s portfolio as the country faces an unprecedented obesity epidemic caused partly by poor access to high quality, affordable, and healthy foods. Through the use of a Geographic Information System and a built environmental assessment, this research analyzed food accessibility in the Bethel neighborhood in Eugene, Oregon. The findings of this research suggest that although the individual developments within Bethel have the right characteristics for connectivity, the distribution of and connections between these developments negate opportunities for food accessibility, especially if residents desire to use active transportation such as walking or biking. Findings and recommendations from this project can be used to inform food system planning and accessible neighborhood design as well as suggest opportunities to use existing infrastructure to increase food accessibility within residential neighborhoods.
Open Access
Adapting to the New Economy: The Impacts of Mountain Bike Tourism in Oakridge, Oregon
(Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon, 2014-06) Meltzer, Nicholas
The city of Oakridge, Oregon has seen a measurable increase in the number of mountain bike visitors over the last five years. These visitors are providing a needed boost in their economy, which was historically based in natural resource extraction. While some literature exists on the economic impact of mountain bikers at larger geographic scales (county, state, or national levels), very little exists at a community level. This research uses existing data to determine the economic impact of mountain bikers in Oakridge. Furthermore, as economic development is inexplicably linked with community development, the study also examines the social impacts of mountain bike tourism in Oakridge. Through key informant interviews, the attitudes and perceptions of local residents and business owners were obtained. By identifying barriers and opportunities to future development, this research presents strategies to increase local spending while maintaining community values.
Open Access
Adaptive Reuse: Explaining Collaborations within a Complex Process
(Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon, 2011-06) Bond, Christina
Every building, if allowed the chance, will one day become old. Some will individually be deemed “historic” for special cultural, historical, or aesthetic qualities. Others may simply add to the general historic backdrop of a neighborhood as a “contributing resource” to a historic district, but are not necessarily of exceptional value on their own. Some buildings are lovingly maintained throughout the course of time, only incurring minor changes here and there to bring the building up to modern standards and tastes, while others are left to slowly fade away and deteriorate after (often) withstanding alterations inside and out for modernization. Whether lovingly maintained or deteriorated, withstanding minor to substantial alterations, many of our old buildings are worthy of some level of preservation. Aside from the rare exceptions which are worthy of a very high level of “preservation” in the strict sense of the word—usually pristine examples of a particular time period or style— most old buildings will require some amount of adaptation and creativity to allow for a return to functional viability while stimulating a new resonance for history and the built environment with the public. I became particularly fascinated with the adaptive reuse development process when working as an intern at a private historic tax credit consulting firm during the summer of 2010. There I learned firsthand how complicated and complex the real estate development process can be not only in general, but particularly for historic buildings that are subject to special rules and regulations. This is especially an issue when tax credits and other forms of financial incentives are used for a project, adding extra layers of review and regulation. I witnessed, at times, high levels of frustration between various participants in the development process and at various stages, whether trying to find the right balance between adaptation and preservation, adhering to certain historic design standards, maintaining the timing and pace needs for a project to remain financially viable, or arguing over whether or not a project should be awarded the tax credits that its completion was hinged on. Of course I always formed my own opinions on each issue and project that I came aware of, but my eyes were quickly opened to other perspectives—other needs, desires, and motivations, and those unique points of view of the wide variety of people who are typically involved in the development process for an adaptive reuse project. My educational background includes a focus in both historic preservation and planning, and the dualnature of my studies has allowed me to approach historic preservation issues with a broader perspective. This, along with my internship experiences, has prompted me to seek a more complete understanding of how people view historic preservation—in particular, the adaptive reuse of commercial buildings and others used for income-producing purposes, and the development process for such activities. In my opinion, due to the frustration and conflict that I became aware of, there clearly seemed to be a problem with the way that the adaptive reuse development process typically occurs. The more I considered this “problem”, the more I saw it as an inherently complex, collaborative problem that might benefit from an analysis as such, including delving into the underlying motives, desires, and ideals of the key stakeholders, deconstructing the problem through the lens of collaborative planning, and suggesting solutions for how the process might be improved for everyone involved. On a personal level, I am strongly in favor of preserving, rehabilitating, and adaptively reusing as many of our existing old and historic buildings as possible for a multitude of reasons; but now, I realize just how important it is that every stakeholder and participant in the development process be able to work together, communicate effectively and constructively, and be willing to make compromises while considering what is best not only for the building in question, but for its community at large. Historic preservation is not an isolated activity, and as such should be understood for its meanings and effects to others outside of the “preservationist world” in order to gain a broader and deeper support base with the hope of strengthening “preservation” as a true value of the American core. It does not matter if historic preservation has different meanings and values attached to it for different people—historical and cultural value, aesthetic value, economic development value, revitalization and sustainability value, and even the opportunity to profit—but what does matter is that each of these values is fulfilled for each participant in the adaptive reuse process so that adaptive reuse may thrive as a strategy to improve our communities and leave thoughtful, lasting legacies of our past. It is with this impetus that I embarked on my research, with the ultimate goal that I might be able to positively influence the adaptive reuse development process by providing a broader understanding of the approaches of its key stakeholders and participants. My wish is to see historic preservation as a value, a practice, and a goal flourish and thrive into the 21st century—but in order for that to happen, the complexities and conflicts in approach to the adaptive reuse of our old and historic buildings must be more completely understood and constructively assessed so that the development process might be improved for all.
Open Access
Aggregation of Resources across Indian Country: Reestablishing Trade Networks using Tribally Caught Pacific Salmon
(Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon, 2013-06) Heide, John W.
The Tribes of the Pacific Northwest are in a unique position to leverage their resources through aggregation of resources across Indian Country. Due to Treaties, signed with U.S. government in the mid to late 1800s, the Tribes in the Pacific Northwest have the right to fish and harvest up to 50% of all the wild seafood species in the waters of the Pacific Northwest. Currently, few Tribes are taking advantage or capable of realizing this right. In addition, almost every Tribe in the region views Salmon as an important cultural and environmental link to the region. Salmon is intricately involved in numerous ceremonies, programs, and Tribal businesses. Unfortunately, many Tribes do not use or buy Salmon caught by their own Tribe or other Tribes in the region. The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) is non-profit inter-Tribal organization that has proposed a Buy Indian Program, by which Tribes can sell and/or trade resources across Indian Country. The Buy Indian Program would keep resources and economies within Indian Country, while providing increased economies of scale and values-added within and across Indian Country. The purpose of the project is to determine the feasibility of implementing such a program across Indian Country in the Pacific Northwest. The study involves the use of interviews and surveys of Tribal Leaders, Business Managers, Department and Program Personnel, and Tribal Seafood Processors to determine, the consumer needs, processing capability, availability of resources and products, and possible distribution networks across the region.
Open Access
Air Emissions Policy
(Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon, 2013-07) Wiebush, Amanda; Lervisit, Piyapon; Qian, Alice
Portland, Oregon’s airshed contains 19 toxic compounds with levels that exceed Oregon’s benchmarks (Learn, n.d.). In Portland, the cancer risk for some toxics is over 100 times the benchmarks in some census blocks (Flatt, 2007). Neighbors for Clean Air (NCA) which is an environmental non-profit organization, formed when it discovered that almost a third of Portland neighborhoods’ air quality ranks in the bottom one percent nationally (Learn, n.d.), and ranks third for cancer risk (US Environmental Protection Agency, n.d.). NCA is concerned about the health impacts caused by exceeding these benchmarks, so it is currently working to pass HB3492 in the Oregon legislature. The bill is intended to include toxic air emissions in the current Oregon Toxics Use Reduction Act. Due to the proposal that the bill requires businesses to create plans and develop technically and economically practicable ways to reduce their toxic air emissions, the bill can be seen as an increase of stringent air quality regulations. However, the bill has already begun to receive industry pushback regarding its perceptions as a job killer and an increased cost for business.
Open Access
Allocation of State Funds for Oregon CASA Programs: A New Funding Model
(Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon, 2012-06) Fleck, Jim; Garcia, Alejandra; Megerssa, Becky
Since its creation by a family court judge in Seattle in 1977, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program has proven itself an effective and successful advocate for abused and neglected children. CASA advocates are court-appointed volunteers (CASAs) who serve as essential liaisons between the juvenile court system and the case workers in the Child Welfare system. CASAs serve to compile case information, assist children in court proceedings, and perform general advocacy functions until foster-home placement occurs. In 2011, 75,000 advocates assisted 240,000 foster children nationwide.
Open Access
Analyzing the Impacts of Collaborative-Based Recreation Management in Oregon's Black Rock Forest
(Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon, 2009-06-12) Tomlinson, Titus
For millions of people, riding a mountain bike is a healthy way to enjoy the outdoors. With a significant amount of mountain biking occurring on Oregon’s public lands there are many implications for those who manage these recreation areas. Current literature states that the most important question in collaborative environmental management remains unanswered and often unasked: To what extent does collaboration lead to improved environmental outcomes? Through the use of a qualitative‐based assessment, this research analyzed the environmental outcomes of collaborative‐based recreation management in one of northwest Oregon’s premier mountain biking destinations, the Black Rock Forest. Findings indicate that the use of collaborative‐based recreation management has led to improved environmental outcomes in Oregon’s Black Rock Forest. Findings and recommendations can be used to inform other recreational groups and land management agencies who are currently involved in or looking to initiate a collaborative‐based recreation management venture in their local recreation areas.
Open Access
Approaches to Coastal Management
(Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon, 2011-06) Reder, Benjamin
The coastal zone includes coastal lands and also nearshore marine waters (Kay and Alder 1999). The interaction between terrestrial and marine environments is what makes the coastal zone unique. Thus, coastal management addresses various interrelated terrestrial, coastal, and marine issues. Effective coastal management requires practitioners to overcome challenges such as dealing with overlapping jurisdictional boundaries and agency responsibility, and attempting to balance a diverse range of marine and terrestrial activities (Peel and Lloyd 2004). Coastal and marine spatial planning (CMSP) is a relatively new and evolving ocean policy concept (The Nature Conservancy 2009). Coastal management has typically occurred on a sectoral basis, characterized by ad-hoc planning, inadequate coordination, and reactive in nature (Jay 2010). Advocates assert that CMSP can address these issues by acting as a mechanism to facilitate integrated, ecosystem-based forms of management (Douvere 2010). Supporters also emphasize the importance of CMSP in resolving conflicts among ocean users and coordinating multi-sectoral agencies in the decision making process Douvere 2010). In theory, CMSP should assist in solving many of the traditional marine management issues. However, there still remains a lot of ambiguity around the details of coastal and marine spatial planning. As Fanny Douvere points out in her recently published PhD thesis “Coastal and marine spatial planning: concepts, current practice and linkages to other management approaches”, that there is a lack of research that illustrates what CMSP is really about, how it is being applied in practice and how it is linked to other management approaches (Douvere 2010). She also indicates that there has been a lack of academic research to identify the “critical” elements that will ensure that the marine spatial plan can achieve anticipated results. This research will probe deeper into the gaps identified by Douvere. Through a case study analysis of Oregon‟s Coastal Management Program and the Territorial Sea Plan, the research will examine whether CMSP (as a process) and the associated spatial plan (as a guiding document) are being used to address traditional issues and achieve coastal management goals. The research will focus on Oregon‟s approach to territorial sea planning and management, and the role of coastal and marine spatial planning within this context. Oregon is one of three states in the U.S. to undertake a comprehensive coastal and marine spatial planning effort. Oregon recently amended its Territorial Sea Plan to include policies, standards, and development requirements for renewable energy projects within state waters. Currently, the Department of Land Conservation and Development is working with stakeholders to add a spatial component to the Territorial Sea Plan. The product of this effort will be a territorial sea planning document that will guide future development of wave energy projects and help to balance the state‟s conservation and economic goals. Oregon‟s coastal management program was established over thirty-seven years ago. The maturity of this program will allow for a critical review of integrated coastal management and assess how coastal and marine spatial planning is being integrated into the established system.
Open Access
Assessing and Responding to Short-Term Rentals in Oregon: Enabling the Benefits of the Sharing Economy
(Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon, 2017-06) Dinatale, Sadie
Assessing and Responding to Short-Term Rentals in Oregon: Enabling the Benefits of the Sharing Economy Local, regional, and state governments across the country struggle to manage the impacts of short-term rentals (STRs), and the sharing economy more generally. Often referred to as vacation rentals, STRs are not new to the housing market yet, in the last decade, technology has greatly influenced their prevalence. Private, web-based businesses such as Airbnb, VRBO, HomeToGo, LUXbnb, CouchSurfing, HomeAway, FlipKey, and VaCasa, have given people access to a user-friendly, global marketplace for home sharing. As the sharing economy proliferates, STRs have often flown under the radar of government taxation and regulation. Accordingly, many perceived negative impacts of STRs exist including the loss of tax revenue and impacts on traditional lodging businesses, neighborhoods, housing affordability, and housing availability. Still, the widespread use of these platforms show evidence of many localized benefits. Some of these benefits include allowing property owners to earn income by renting out their unused space, offering tourists an experience that is more unique, and among others, driving visitors to places not conventionally accessible for tourists (spurring economic activity in new areas and communities). Because this economic activity, as it used today, is a relatively new phenomenon, existing research is sparse and tends to focus on large/mega cities. Thus, this research fills an important gap by focusing on small, tourism-oriented towns in Oregon. We address the following research questions in this paper: 1) What is the prevalence and characteristics of short-term rentals in Oregon? 2) What is the revenue potential of short-term rentals in Oregon? 3) What are the existing perceptions around short-term rentals in Oregon? 4) How are short-term rentals currently being regulated in Oregon? 5) To what extent do short-term rentals compete with long-term rentals? To examine the prevalence of short-term rentals, we rely on city-level data from AirBnB and property-specific data from AirDnA, for cities under 100,000 in population. We also use American Community Survey data to examine the share of total housing units and vacant units with short-term rentals. To understand the positive and negative impacts and the regulatory environment, we rely on a survey administered to city managers and city planners. This work provides timely and valuable information to small and mid-sized cities regarding a recent trend affecting housing. Planners and city staff need to understand how short-term rentals are affecting their communities and respond with appropriate regulatory controls.
Open Access
Assessing the Economic and Livability Value of Multi-Use Trails: A Case Study into the Tammany Trace Rail Trail in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana
(Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon, 2015-05) Hammons, Hagen Thames
Multi-use trails are becoming an economic catalyst and vital contributor to the quality of life for communities all across the nation. This document looks at key factors as to why this is, and takes these factors as a basis into a case study on the Tammany Trace (the ‘Trace’), a 31-mile rail-to-trail conversion in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. The study looks into how the region and local communities have benefited from the facility by collecting data from the following methods: • Spatial data for existing infrastructure in the region to create, study and compare maps • In person interviews to local leaders • Collecting existing yearly trail user numbers • Intercept surveys to users of the trail over 3 days • Housing property value comparison GIS map study • Telephone surveys to local real estate professionals
Open Access
ASSESSING THE FLEXIBILITY OF COMMERCIAL LAND USE IN EUGENE, OREGON PLANNING FOR E-COMMERCE
(Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management, University of Oregon, 2018) Portwood, Paige; Rebecca Lewis
E-commerce has emerged as one of the most popular retail channels of this generation. E-commerce, also referred to as shopping online, provides customers with a simple, convenient and accessible way to purchase products from all over the world. In response to the growing success of e-commerce and the potential it has for the future, market analysts, the Media, and even retailers are starting to question the resiliency and relevance of storefronts. Journalists have pegged the recent reoccurrence of store closings as the “retail apocalypse” (Taylor). However, though e-commerce has integrated into the retail market at such a rapid pace (a growth rate of 17% within the last year), municipalities have yet to critically examine its impact on land use and economic development planning. Furthermore, there is little research on how cities should work with or around e-commerce to maintain successful local retail stores. Furthermore, although there is significant amount of research describing what e-commerce is, how it works, as well as its marketable significance and impact on businesses nation-wide, there is little research about how e-commerce has increasingly impacted specific municipalities through city planning. This study aims to bridge these gaps in research by presenting findings from interviews with development professionals of both the public and private sectors in Eugene, Oregon. The interviews intend to reveal the shared perceptions that e-commerce has on the community’s storefront retail. This study also explores the regulatory barriers which may aid or hinder the success of stores in the future. Finally, based on the recommendations by interviewees coupled with concepts presented from outside research, this report outlines potential recommendations that retailers, developers and planners may consider when constructing new or redeveloped commercial spaces now and into the future.
Open Access
An Assessment of Portland's Prevention Professionals' Preparedness for a Productive Coalition
(Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon, 2007-06) Springer, Matt, 1976-
Collaborative groups are increasingly used as a medium for intervention with complex social health issues, despite scant systemic empirical research on their impact. With increasing funding being poured into these complex inter-organizational relationships, more information is needed to determine if initiation of coalition efforts is likely to be productive. Through survey analysis, this study seeks to investigate if the community of prevention organizations and professionals in Portland, Oregon is well positioned to benefit from a coalition. Secondarily, this research investigates if commonalities exist amongst individuals who claim to have a positive outlook on a potential coalition. The study concludes that the Portland prevention community is theoretically well prepared to benefit from a coalition, assessed along 11 broad points. This study represents a unique way to assess the preparedness of a specific community of service providers that might be replicable by other groups investigating the feasibility of a coalition approach.
Open Access
AUTONOMOUS POTENTIAL: COMPLETE STREETS IN AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE FUTURE
(Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management, University of Oregon, 2018) Nappa, Stephanie; Marc Schlossberg
Our transportation system is likely to face significant changes through the adoption of autonomous vehicles (AVs). The challenge for urban planners is to ensure city goals of increased safety, sustainability, and equity on our streets will continue to be supported through these changes. Many cities are working towards these three goals by encouraging active transportation modes: walking, bicycling, and the use of public transit. This project identifies the opportunities and challenges that AVs can provide for improving active transportation through street design.
Open Access
Autonomous Vehicles: How U.S. Cities are Preparing
(Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management, University of Oregon, 2018) Whitney, Jenna; Richard Margerum
As fully-autonomous vehicles become closer to reality than fiction, cities race to prepare for the emerging technology that promises to all but erase the need for parking while simultaneously threatening to make cities explode in sprawling development. Self-driving cars have just one key variance from conventional transportation options – the lack of a driver – but could affect travel behavior and city development as strongly as the automobile did in the 20th century. The literature is consistent in its recommendations for promoting active, multi-modal, and public transportation in the arrival of autonomous vehicles (AVs), and for using AVs to improve safety, reduce congestion and emissions, and persuade riders to switch from privately-owned vehicles to ride hailing or ride sharing. However, the absence of a history with AVs means that there is a deficiency in understanding how cities in the US are altering their transportation plans to prepare for autonomous vehicles. This leads to this study’s driving research questions: 1. What does the literature suggest the impacts of autonomous vehicles will be, and how does the literature suggest preparing for these impacts? 2. How are cities in the US preparing for autonomous vehicles in their transportation plans? 3. How do city plans for AVs compare to what the literature says cities should be doing? After identifying commonly found themes and recommendations for implementation in the literature, a systematic literature review of cities recognized as having plans for autonomous vehicles reveals if and how US cities are preparing for AVs. In general, the city preparations show a mutual agreement with the goals given in the literature, such as prioritizing public transit and ride sharing, using electric vehicles, curbing sprawl and congestion, and aiding first/last-mile connections. Themes that were not as comprehensively discussed by cities as by the literature are planning for point-to-point services and active or multi-modal transportation. A comparison of how the study cities are preparing in relation to the counsel from the literature shows that there is a wide range of preparedness. Some cities with plans for AVs have only a few stated goals, such as preferring AVs that are used for public transit or shared, and electrically powered. Other cities have dozens of policies that depict how AVs will be allowed to operate as public transit, ride hailing services, and privately-owned vehicles; including details about payment for services, which vehicle models will be used, and how AVs will provide more equitable transportation. Conclusively, city preparations acknowledge the themes given by the literature, but do not always address it at thoroughly as the literature would demand.
Open Access
Balancing Sustainability Goals: Case Studies in Affordable Housing
(Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon, 2007-06) Kozyra, Ellen
Sustainable development is becoming a standard goal for many organizations and governments. In North America, local governments are increasingly involved in supporting sustainability efforts whether through funding or policy. How these efforts are being implemented vary greatly and can include broad policy goals or more specific policies such as building codes that address energy efficiency. This paper looks at how affordable housing projects are using local resources to provide sustainable housing for low-income residents in Eugene. These case studies paint a picture of how residential development in general, and affordable housing in particular, can contribute to larger community sustainability goals. For this project, the following developments were analyzed: • Greenleaf (Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation) • West Town on 8th (Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation) • Prairie View (Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation) • Sheldon Village (Housing and Community Services Agency) • Santa Clara (St Vincent de Paul) • Aurora Building (St Vincent de Paul)
Open Access
BARRIERS AND BENEFITS TO LANDOWNER PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION PROGRAMS An analysis of watershed council conservation efforts in coastal Oregon
(Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management, University of Oregon, 2018) Hiller, Rachel; Richard Margerum
Three evolutionarily significant units of coho salmon are listed as threatened on the Oregon coast. In response, the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds (1997) was developed to provide action measures to support salmonid health statewide. One of these measures is to provide voluntary restoration on private lands containing salmon priority habitat. The plan requires effective conservation programs that meet the needs of both landowners and conservation goals. An important part of this is maximizing landowner participation and developing lasting, trusting relationships with landowners. In this study, I examined conservation programs funded by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) in two coastal regions. My goal was to identify the barriers and benefits to landowner participation. This was achieved by interviewing watershed council and soil and water conservation district (SWCD) staff in those regions to understand their perceptions. I developed recommendations based on the outcomes of those interviews and prioritized based on needs and ease of implementation. My results indicated that there are landowners who do not perceive conservation programs as incentivized enough to participate. Many landowners feel a mistrust towards regulatory agencies and program structures are often incongruent with landowner needs and abilities. Watershed council capacity issues were also recognized as affecting landowner engagement at times. Landowner benefits were cited as often being indirect, rather than direct, and while landowners generally want to help coho, they do not want to risk losing their autonomy over the management of their land. Recommendations focus on maximizing benefits for both landowners and environmental resources. My intent is to promote conservation programs as mutually beneficial to increase landowner engagement, improve coho success, and improve relations between citizens and organizations and agencies.
Open Access
Barriers to Active Transportation Among Female-Identifying Students at the University of Oregon
(Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management, University of Oregon, 2020) Menard, Miranda; Menard
Communities in the United States are pushing to improve the sustainability of their transportation systems by replacing automobile travel with active transportation. (Schneider, 2013). Identifying and addressing the many challenges in safety, equity and accessibility of active transportation is required to encourage more users of active transport in communities, college campus communities included. The University of Oregon, like many campuses wants to promote and increase active transportation. This is due to congestion, high demand for parking and pressures on environmental impacts. The barriers female-identifying UO students—and university students more broadly—face to active transportation needs to be explored more thoroughly for the UO. This paper identifies the barriers female students at the UO face to active transportation and offers recommendations for how to mitigate these barriers. I ask two related research questions: 1) What are the barriers that female students at the University of Oregon encounter with active transportation? And 2) what can be done to mitigate these barriers?
Open Access
Bicycle Tourism as a Rural Economic Development Vehicle
(Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon, 2011-06) Beierle, Heidi
At the 2011 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism an entire workshop session focused on Bicycle Tourism. Oregon has long recognized bicycling – in all forms – as one of the state’s great assets. Travel Oregon, the state’s organization for planning, developing, and marketing travel to local, regional, domestic, and international visitors, currently markets Oregon cycling across the nation and abroad. The Oregon Bicycle Tourism Partnership, that Travel Oregon convenes, has been a statewide effort since 2003 and includes over 120 collaborating organizations and partners. Because the state supports cycling and promotes great cycling resources and infrastructure, bicycle tourism is one of Travel Oregon’s top three priorities for visitor experience marketing. 2 The new research presented here examines the self-contained bicycle traveler and describes nuances of these cyclists’ travel behaviors and preferences. While the study of cyclist behavior is a key component of developing bicycle tourism products, assessing communities and routes presents equally important information to match market demands with infrastructure and services. Evaluation of communities, routes, and cyclists can maximize the economic benefits bicycle tourists bring to rural economies. A cross-country field study provided assessment data of routes and ways communities across the nation interface with touring cyclists. These observations are useful to develop Oregon bicycle tourism products, and they are also useful for communities, regions, or states interested in developing or enhancing bicycle tourism, wherever they may be located in the nation. This document addresses the applicability of bicycle tourism in rural areas by: 1. Providing a contextual overview of field research, planning strategies, history of road building and bicycle transportation in America, and options for adaptively using roadways; 2. Detailing a typology of riders; 3. Characterizing preferred route characteristics; 4. Discussing different types of destinations for cyclists; 5. Presenting an overview of the economic benefits of bicycle tourism in rural communities along with assessment strategies and examples to help communities identify bicycle tourism potential; and 6. Providing a bicycle-friendly top-ten list for states, regions, and communities.
Open Access
The “Big One”: Attracting Funding to Natural Hazard Mitigation Along the Oregon Coast
(2017-06-09) Hammarback, Kate; Gowan, Christian; Deiters, MaryBeth; Cannon, Kea; Branch, Lauren
The overarching goal of the project is to answer the question: How does Conservation Capital engage with coastal Oregon to attract funding in natural hazard mitigation for a CSZ event? To address the research question, the final project provides our client with: (1) In-depth analysis of three coastal communities; (2) Scorecard of evaluative criteria for potential coastal community partnerships; (3) Access to key stakeholder perspectives through eleven qualitative interviews; and, (4) Contact list of key coastal stakeholders who have agreed to be contacted by the client.
Open Access
Bike Share Equity Strategies: Successes and Failures
(Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon, 2016) Setterfield, Brett R.
Across the country, many different cities and jurisdictions are implementing bike-‐share systems to provide active transportation options for community members and tourists alike. One of the primary struggles many systems in the U.S. are facing is the lack of equitable strategies promoting bike share to low-‐income and minority populations within each community. This study aims to identify the strategies existing bike-‐share systems have put in place to address the equity issues and distinguish which strategies have been successful, as well as those that have fallen short of their goal. Through interviews with nearly a dozen bike-‐share operators across the country, this research provides distinct characteristics for successful bike-‐share equity strategies for the City of Eugene to consider when implementing its bike-‐share system.