Early Densification in an Urban Center: Portland, Oregon and the War Code Housing Program

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Date

2019

Authors

Franey, Kerrie

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Oregon

Abstract

In order to house the thousands of workers migrating to Portland, Oregon to fill jobs in war-related industries during World War II, Portland’s government relaxed building code standards to allow temporary housing through internal conversions and accessory dwelling units such as garages, outbuildings, and trailers. This terminal project examines Portland’s War Code Housing Program as a historical example of rapid densification in an urban center. Using a database of property information and GIS shapefiles, this terminal project assesses the relaxation of the City’s building code to determine whether a similar relaxation of certain aspects of today’s building code could safely and effectively further encourage dense and affordable housing in Portland. The model of internal conversions and accessory dwelling units to create housing is not radical and is already in discussion among Portland’s urban planners. This is the first published record of the sites associated with the War Code Housing Program and the accompanying data will be valuable to future researchers, city officials, and Portland’s residents.

Description

185 pages

Keywords

urban density, Portland, OR, World War II, War Code Housing Program, urban planning

Citation