Help shape the plan!

The Portland Plan will take a new approach to city planning by focusing our attention on the things that affect our daily lives, such as safety, neighborhood livability, quality education and affordable housing. Please take a moment to answer these questions. Your answers will help us prioritize our investments in our future.

There are 27 questions in this survey. Please select one answer for each question. If you select “Other,” please use the comment box to explain your answer.

Prosperity & Business Success

Unemployment Rate: In September 2009, Multnomah County’s unemployment rate topped 11.2%.

1: What should Portland’s priority be for creating jobs over the next 25 years?

A. Market our products and services to other countries and regions
B. Assist neighborhood businesses
C. Improve public infrastructure
D. Provide worker training programs
E. Invest in basic education
F. Drive innovation with higher education partnerships
G. Other

Job Growth: While the regional economy continued to grow, the growth of new jobs in Portland was lagging. Between 1980 and 2000, Portland captured 27% of new regional jobs, but between 2000 and 2006, Portland captured only 11% of new regional jobs.

2. Portland should increase the amount of public funds invested to achieve long-range job growth.

A. Strongly agree
B. Agree
C. Neutral
D. Disagree
E. Strongly Disagree

Neighborhood Business District Access: 41% of Portland households live within a half mile of a neighborhood business district. Neighborhood businesses provide jobs and offer residents needed goods and services within walking distance of where they live.

3. What should Portland’s priority be to improve neighborhood business districts?

A. Market districts and recruit businesses
B. Invest in storefront improvement grants
C. Improve walkability and access to business districts
D. Change the business license and other fees
E. Other

4. Over the next 25 years, what do you see as the biggest threat to your household budget?

A. Job stability
B. Housing costs
C. Heating and utility costs
D. Transportation costs
E. Health care costs
F. Education costs
G. Other

Education & Skill Development

High School Graduation Rate: Only 63% of our students graduate on time.

5. What is the most important action Portland can take to improve high school graduation rates?

A. Recruit and retain great teachers
B. Provide better facilities
C. Provide more after school programs
D. Involve businesses in schools
E. Provide more mentoring programs
F. Other

Aging Schools: 80% of Portland school buildings were built before 1960. Only six out of 137 schools have been built since 1980.

6. Over the next 25 years, many schools will need to be renovated and some rebuilt. What improvement does your neighborhood school need the most?

A. Warm and dry buildings
B. Modern technology and classrooms
C. Improved access and security
D. Upgraded energy efficiency
E. Expanded community uses
F. Other

Arts, Culture & Innovation

Arts Funding: The Portland region spends $2.47 per capita on the arts. For comparison, Seattle spends more than $7.50 per capita.

7. What is your most important arts and culture need?

A. More space to practice and perform
B. More activities and arts education for children
C. More public art and activities in my neighborhood
D. More places for exhibitions and performances
E. More world-class events
F. Other

Sustainability & the Natural Environment

Natural Areas and Watersheds: Portland has 26,825 acres of environmentally sensitive natural areas - about 31% of the land area of Portland. Currently, about one-third of these areas are not protected.

8. What one aspect of Portland’s natural areas do you care about most?

A. Access to nature
B. Flood and landslide protection
C. Healthy watersheds (rivers, streams and habitat)
D. Enhanced property values in my neighborhood
E. Other

9. What should be local government’s primary role in protecting the natural environment?

A. Acquire and restore natural areas
B. Regulate to protect streams and trees
C. Help people restore their own land
D. Educate about the value of natural resources
E. Other

Energy Use: 69% of Portland’s electricity comes from fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas.

10. What is one new thing you are most willing to do to reduce energy use to help combat climate change?

A. Buy "green power" from utilities or install solar panels
B. Weatherize and improve home energy efficiency (insulation, new windows, appliances)
C. Walk, bike and take transit for more daily trips
D. Eat more fruits and vegetables and less meat
E. Use long-lasting goods rather than disposable ones
F. Other

Human Health, Food & Public Safety

Access to Parks: Approximately 76% of Portland’s population lives within a half mile of a park or natural area.

11. What part of Portland’s park system do you value most?

A. Natural areas
B. Playing fields, courts and pools
C. Playgrounds
D. Trails and greenways
E. Community centers, programs and classes
F. Public plazas
G. Other

Access to Healthy Food: 60% of Portlanders are within a half mile of a full-service grocery store.

12. What does your community need most to improve access to healthy food?

A. More grocery stores
B. More affordable grocery stores
C. A farmers market
D. Community gardens
E. Support for home gardening
F. Other

13. For you, what is the hardest part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle?

A. Time and discipline for exercise
B. A place to exercise
C. A full service grocery store
D. Cooking healthy meals
E. Stress – not enough time to relax
F. Other

14. Local governments should consider health impacts equally or greater with economic and environmental impacts.

A. Strongly agree
B. Agree
C. Neutral
D. Disagree
E. Strongly Disagree

Quality of Life, Civic Engagement & Equity

Volunteerism: Of the 51 largest cities in the country, the Portland metro area ranks second in its rate of volunteerism. Nearly 39% of Portland adults participated in a volunteer activity and contributed more 75 million hours of service in 2008.

15. With which of these groups are you most involved?

A. Place-based groups (neighborhood association, block watch, etc.)
B. Interest groups (Friends of Trees, Urban League, BTA, etc.)
C. School-based groups(PTA, academic)
D. Cultural groups
E. Business, trade or professional groups
F. Sports or recreation-based groups
G. Other

16. What is your most preferred way to comment on public issues?

A. Attend a public meeting
B. Fill out a written questionnaire
C. Write or call elected officials
D. Online surveys
E. Comment on websites, blogs, Twitter and Facebook
F. Other

Design, Planning & Public Spaces

Walkability: Portland’s citywide walkscore is 66 out of a possible 100. Some neighborhoods, like Irvington (83), have very high walkscores, while other neighborhoods like Bridlemile (46), have lower walkscores. (www.walkscore.com)

17. In deciding where to live during the next 25 years, which factor is most important to you?

A. Walking distance to stores and restaurants
B. Walking distance to public transit
C. Close to where you work
D. Close to quality schools
E. Attractive neighborhood
F. Other

Neighborhoods & Housing

Range of Housing Options: Between 2004 and 2008, 62% of new housing units in Portland were apartments or condos. However, single family homes still make up 61% of the total housing stock in Portland.

18. All neighborhoods should have a range of housing choices – type, size and affordability.

A. Strongly agree
B. Agree
C. Neutral
D. Disagree
E. Strongly Disagree

Transportation, Technology & Access

Vehicle Use: Portlanders travel an average of 16 miles per day by car, which is less than the national average of 23 miles per day.

19. What would make it easier to meet your daily needs without having to drive?

A. More grocery stores and other services within walking distance
B. Better sidewalks and safer crosswalks
C. Better bike routes
D. Better transit service
E. Better internet access
F. Other

20. What is your top spending priority for Portland’s limited transportation funds?

A. Maintain and repair existing streets
B. Vehicle safety improvements
C. Sidewalks and safer crosswalks
D. Bicycle facilities and bikeways
E. Transit facilities (MAX, streetcar, bus)
F. Relieve traffic congestion
G. Enhance truck, rail and shipping capacity
H. Other

Priority Issues

21. Today, what do you think is the most important issue facing Portland?

A. Prosperity, Business Success & Equity
B. Education & Skill Development
C. Arts, Culture & Innovation
D. Sustainability & the Natural Environment
E. Human Health, Food & Public Safety
F. Quality of Life & Civic Engagement
G. Design, Planning & Public Spaces
H. Neighborhoods & Housing
I. Transportation, Technology & Access

22. Over the next 10-25 years, what do you think will be the most important issue facing Portland?

A. Prosperity, Business Success & Equity
B. Education & Skill Development
C. Arts, Culture & Innovation
D. Sustainability & the Natural Environment
E. Human Health, Food & Public Safety
F. Quality of Life & Civic Engagement
G. Design, Planning & Public Spaces
H. Neighborhoods & Housing
I. Transportation, Technology & Access

Demographic Questions (optional)

Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey. Stay tuned; this is just one step in the process of creating our roadmap for the future.