the pearl district: an urban neighborhood

7/31/2019 The Pearl District: An Urban Neighborhood

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The Pearl Districtan urban neighborhood

Kate M Washington

March 2012


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Introduction

The Pearl District is a world-renowned icon of urban renaissance, straddling

gentrification and revitalization with delicate balance via the incorporation of New Urbanism in

its evolution. The Pearl is a young neighborhood, only 20 years old in its most recent

incarnation. Its modern persona is heavily influenced by the tenets of New Urbanism, which

prizes mixed-use, walkability, diversity, human scale (see Photo 15) and conservation (Calthorpe

2010:15). Well-designed urban neighborhoods should operate as networks that increase social

capital for their residents. The influence of these ideas on the development of the Pearl is

apparent in nearly every block. At the street-level, buildings display visual variety, the

neighborhood boasts small parks and small schools, several buildings have LEED status

(meaning they are designed to use fewer resources) and residents benefit from a variety of food,

entertainment, civic involvement, transportation, employment and home options.

The Pearl is a small, downtown

neighborhood. It is located in the

northwest quadrant of Portland, OR

nestled between Downtown, the

Willamette River and the Northwest

neighborhood, encompassing

approximately 100 city blocks and

covering 245 acres (Comerford

2011:61). Its boundaries are formed

by W Burnside Street on the south and NW Broadway to the east. The Fremont Bridge frames

the north end of the Pearl, becoming the Interstate 405 Freeway that cradles its western

Photo 1

The Pearls 13

thAve warehouses are now a Historic District,

filling old buildings with retail, restaurants and homes


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boundary. The Pearl District Business Association (PDBA), however, draws the Pearls

boundaries a little wider. According to the PDBAs map, the Pearl extends four more blocks

north, three blocks further west and two blocks further east (PDBA 2010:4). The softer

boundaries of the neighborhood are NW 9th

Ave to the east and Northrup to the north.

Development is not as dense beyond those streets, therefore few people venture any further east

or north. Unlike the boundaries discussed in Streetwise (Anderson 1990:54), the borders of the

Pearl are not defended, they are very permeable. However, like the boundaries in Streetwise,

people on the other side differ economically. To the west, in the Northwest neighborhood, people

are wealthier and to the east, in Old Town, people are poorer, as if the Pearl represents a place on

the wealth continuum from the river to the hills.

The Pearl is an industrial neighborhood that has evolved into an urban neighborhood.

Originally part of the 1869 Couch Addition, the neighborhood housed rail yards, warehouses,

breweries and a residential development around the North Park Blocks. As transportation

patterns increasingly shifted away from rail and toward automobiles and highways, the district

emptied. Around the mid-20th

century, its low rents attracted artists and business start-ups, the

risk-oblivious first wave of spontaneous gentrification that Duany refers to in Three Cheers

for Gentrification (1996:2). By the end of the same century, the Pearl was the focus of multiple

urban design studies, committees and commissions intent on creating a dense, walkable, multi-

use neighborhood that would epitomize the concept of urban renewal.

Several people and organizations have been involved in the Pearls successful evolution.

The foremost leader of the Pearls planning is the award-winning Hoyt Street Properties. In

1994, Hoyt, in cooperation with the City of Portland, began development of 34 acres with the

primary goal of bringing high density housing to the neighborhood (see Photo 2). To date, Hoyt


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has developed 11 multi-level residential communities and coordinated the retail space on the

ground floors of their buildings as well as the Pearls park development, making the company

responsible for overseeing one of the largest urban developments in the country. Tiffany

Sweitzer, president of Hoyt, hasparticipated in the Pearls two-decade evolution. Sweitzer is a

member of the Urban Land Use Institute and the Congress for New Urbanism, which explains

the neighborhoods dedication to its principles (PDBA 2010:23-24).

Another factor contributing to the Pearls unique development strategy is its inclusion in

the River District Urban Renewal Area (RDURA). The RDURA was created by the Portland

Development Commission (PDC) in 1998 with the intention of developing high-density, mixed-

use urban residential neighborhoods. The RDURA oversaw the re-development of the Brewery

Blocks, the development of the Pearls three parks, the addition of the 10th

and 11th

Street

Portland Streetcar routes and the financing of over 1,000 low income housing units (PDC 2012).

Since approximately 1994, none of the Pearls growth has happened spontaneously nor

independently. Every detail has been designed and overseen by professionals with very specific

ideas about what makes an excellent urban neighborhood. The Pearl is now firmly in the hands

of Duanysrisk-aware (the investors and economic gentrifying force) and risk-averse (the

renovators and physical gentrifying force) (1996:2) who have a vested interest in improving both

property values and quality of life for Pearl District residents. As a result, residents of the Pearl

enjoy a geography of opportunity that raises their social capital by providing access for all to

communities of opportunity with good schools, public services and economic prospects (de

Souza Briggs 2005:8).


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Race & Social Class

Table 1: Demographics Changes in the Pearl District and Portland

The Pearl Portland

General Information 1990 2010 % Change 1990 2010 % Change

Total Population 629 5993 852.78% 437319 574083 31.27%Homeowners 3% 39% 36.00% 53.01% 54.98% 1.97%

Median House Value N/A $373,213 N/A 130,590 $227,135 73.93%

Median Gross Rent $321 1 $737 129.60% 437 $1,053 140.96%

Social Class

College Degree or Higher 19% 50% 31% 25.20% 42.39% 17%

Professional/Managerial 15% N/A N/A 29.2% 24.65% -5%

Population Below Poverty 62% 22% -40% 12.80% 8.50% -4%

Median Household Income $8559 1 $40,149 369.09% $25,592 $52,294 104.34%

Race

White/Non-Hispanic 85% 88% 3% 83.10% 75.58% -8%

Black/Non-Hispanic 8% 3% -5% 7.50% 6.28% -1%

Asian 3% 8% 5% 6.4% 7.42% 1%

Other race/two races or more 4% 1% -3% 6.40% 8.17% 2%

Ethnicity

Hispanic 3% 4% 1% 3% 9.97% 7%

1-Adjusted for inflation (2010)

2-http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=35280&a=58064

3-http://www.clrsearch.com/Portland_Demographics/OR/

4-http://2010.census.gov/2010census/popmap/

5-http://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/external/neighborhoods/index.html

6-http://www.movingtoportland.net

Table 2: Pearl District Demographics

Population 2010 % of Population

Total 5997

Male 3117 51.98%

Female 2880 48.02%

Under 18 289 4.82%

20-24 305 5.09%

25-34 1792 29.88%

35-49 1673 27.90%50-64 1269 21.16%65+ 639 12.151-U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census


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The Pearl District is a growing, racially homogeneous neighborhood that defies its rich

urban appearance with a surprising amount of poverty. Compared to the city of Portland, the

Pearl is less diverse, but generally representative of the citys overall distribution of races and

ethnicities. It is a white neighborhood, meaning that more than 80% of its residents are white,

with no more than 10% of any other race (Friedman 2005). As shown in Table 1, the total

population of the Pearl in 2010 was only 5,997 (barely 1% of Portlands total population), which

is, however, a significant increase from its 629-person population at the neighborhoods current

inception 20 years ago. The neighborhood has remained consistently white over the past 20

years. In contrast, its black population has decreased slightly, while the percentage of Asians has

increased slightly.

The Pearl District is also a young

neighborhood with regard to its

demographics. Nearly one third of

Pearl residents (29.88%) are 25 to 34

year olds, followed closely by 35 to

49 year olds (27.90%) and 50 to 64

year olds (21.16%). This information

may explain why the median

household income is $12,145 less

than the rest of Portland: a significant portion of the Pearl is either in the early stages of their

careers or of an age to still be attending college. Half of the residents, however, have already

earned a college degree.

Photo 2

More studio and 1 bedroom units, affordable for young

students and professionals


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The Pearls median household income of $40,149 marks it as a middle class

neighborhood. Most residents of the Pearl are renters (61%) who pay $316 less than other

Portlanders per month in rent despite higher home values in the neighborhood. A surprising 22%

of Pearl District households are below the national poverty line (which is $18,530 for a family of

3) compared to only 8.5% of households city-wide. However, the 2010 percentage of households

below the poverty line is 40% less than in 1990. Despite their lower incomes, residents enjoy a

very high quality of life because, contrary to the national trend, those shaping its growth value

the tenets of new urbanism and invest in strategies to create a diverse neighborhood even at the

risk of upsetting the stability found in more homogeneous communities (Jonas 2007:1).

The negative effects of poverty can be mitigated by careful integration in small

increments (Duany, 1996:4) and one way the Pearl is advocating for diversity is the inclusion of

low income housing units. Nearly a quarter of the neighborhood lives in affordable housing units

scattered throughout the neighborhood (Hughes 2011). While this has not disrupted the racial

homogeneity of the neighborhood, it has the potential to impact the economic homogeneity and

create opportunity for conflict between the interests of renters and owners over resource

reallocation (Spain 1993:157). As owners tend to be more established, invested and likely than

renters to participate in civic involvement such as the PDNA, low income neighbors benefit once

again from the New Urbanism values of the people shaping the neighborhood.

Observation of the neighborhood shows a low level of social integration. Observed racial

integration reflects demographics in Table 1 with a majority of white people, few black people

and more Asians than blacks. Most people seem to use public spaces alone or in pairs, with

family groups, but rarely for meeting in groups larger than two or three unless children are

involved. Children and dogs seem to be the most useful opportunities for interacting with other


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people. At Sisters Coffee, the only observed spontaneous interaction centered around a toddler

who was there with its mother, meeting up with its grandparents. At Jamison Square, an off-leash

dog sparked an interaction between a man and two women when the dog ran up to the man as he

tried to eat food (Linte 2012). Interactions are more likely to happen at Jamison Square because

Tanner Springs prohibits pets and is not designed as a childrens play space, however, both parks

create cosmopolitan canopies, neutral social settings where people of all walks of life are

welcome and spontaneous interaction is possible (Anderson 2004:21). The Lovejoy Starbucks

hosts a great deal of interaction on the weekends as patrons who seem to be regulars use the

space as a hang out. Few if any racial interactions were observed in the parks and cafs.

The decreasing black population combined with decreased poverty and increased income,

education level, home values and rents would indicate gentrification except that there was barely

a population to speak of 22 years ago. One might argue that the first wave poor artists were run

out by development, but this was not accomplished through the equation of disinvestment that

typically accompanies gentrification (Gibson 2007:5). Therefore, the Pearl District is less a

gentrifying neighborhood than a revitalizing neighborhood.

Photo 3

Children play in Jamison Square, creating opportunities for interaction


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Education

Table 3: Education Statistics for Chapman Elementary School and Portland Public Schools

School Data (2010-2011) Chapman PPS

% English as a second language 3.30% 9.10%

Student/teacher ratio 18.9 16.72% teachers w/ MA or higher 69.50% 68.30%

% eligible for free lunch 27.20% 37.15%

% dropouts 0.00% 5.40%

% enrollment by race/ethnicity White

71.70%

Black

4.60%

Hispanic

7.50%

Other

16.2%

Total Minority

28.30%

% who do not meet standards for

reading & math

Grades 3, 4, 5

Reading Math

Chapman


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The few Pearl District children scattered

throughout Portlands public schools benefit

from excellent extracurricular education as

well as the high socioeconomic status of their

classmates. As shown in Table 2, as of 2010,

less than 5% of Pearl residents are children. A

further breakdown of the data reveals that 173

are younger than school age, 66 are

elementary school aged, 27 are middle school

aged and 55 are high school aged.

Considering 14% of Portland children attend

private school (Marthens 2011), an estimated

100 Pearl District children attend public

school. Unlike most Portland neighborhoods, the Pearl has no public schools within its

boundaries. As recently as 2011, the neighborhood added two head start classrooms located on

the ground floor of the new Ramona Apartments (see Photo 4), but the only other school in the

neighborhood is the Emerson Charter School. Children who are not enrolled at Emerson or other

private schools attend Chapman Elementary, West Sylvan Middle School and Lincoln High

School, which are outside the Pearl. As a result, the quality of education is not a direct result of

any neighborhood effect in the Pearl.

As shown in Tables 3-5, the Pearl Districts public schools compare favorably with

Portland public schools. All three schools have lower rates of English as a second language,

Photo 4

The playground for the Head Start classrooms in

the ground floor of the Ramona Apartments


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fewer students qualifying for free lunch, higher test scores and 25% of the students are

minorities. This means that most teachers and students are able to work in English and not have

to accommodate a slower learning pace, most students are financially secure, the student body is

fairly homogenous and most students have access to help learning how to test well. On the other

hand, in two very important categories, these schools vary from Portland Public Schools

average. Chapman has an equal student/teacher ratio, while West Sylvan and Lincoln have

higher student/teacher ratios which may impact the quality of education and the teachers

availability to work one on one with students. Also, while Chapman has an equal number of

teachers with a Masters degree or higher, West Sylvan has a lower number, which may impact

students at a critical juncture. However, Lincoln has a higher number of teachers with a Masters

degree or higher, which may compensate for the higher student/teacher ratio (PPS 2011).

What the tables do not show, though, is the schools extraordinary extracurricular

programs. Chapman Elementary school offers a free computer club, chess club, book club and

garden club. After school fee-based programs include the Young Players Acting Workshop and

the Young Rembrandts Drawing Program as well as classes in Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and

French. Friendly House offers childcare before and after school on a sliding fee-based schedule

and Chapman is partnered with Legacy Health and ESCO to support enriching opportunities.

West Sylvan students participate in the Talented and Gifted program (TAG) and 6th

graders from

five different feeder schools attend East Sylvan separately from other grades in order to adjust

and develop class spirit. West Sylvan is also a magnet school for a Spanish immersion program.

Lincoln High School, Portlands first and oldest high school, continues the Spanish immersion

programs and also offers an International Baccalaureate Diploma as well as an International

Studies Center (PPS 2011).


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Crime

Crime in the Pearl District today is

very low, an expected effect of a

dense, walkable, mixed-use

neighborhood. However, as Figures 1

and 2 show, it was not always such a

safe place. Not until 2000 did the

crime rate begin to approach

Portlands average. This is because

until the effects of Hoyt Street

Properties developments began to take hold in the neighborhood (eg, higher population, more

pedestrians, greater civic involvement), the streets were largely lined with empty buildings, a

prime location for overflow from Old Town/Chinatowns homeless population and historically

high crime rate. As Hoyt exerted influence over the neighborhood, crime dropped until, today,

the Pearl is a much safer place to

live with crime rates only slightly

higher than the rest of the city.

Most Pearl District crime occurs in

the north end of the neighborhood,

which is less occupied (see Photo

5) and more likely to receive

vandalism and theft because there

are fewer eyes on the street.

Photo 5

The less-developed north end is where most crime occurs

Photo 6

Fences protect cars of wealthier neighbors in the more

developed central blocks of the Pearl


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The Pearl District has a strong

neighborhood association that

actively campaigns for livability

priorities such as garbage cans, public

toilets (see Photo 9) and pedestrian

safety, while encouraging year-round

use of the neighborhoods public

spaces and a sense of investment in

the community that lends itself

toward a low crime rate. While there is no neighborhood watch program, the Pearl has a Graffiti

Busters group that tackles graffiti on a regular basis and the PDNA hosts bi-annual Polish the

Pearl events where the community gets together to pick up trash, sweep the sidewalks and

maintain the blocks. The neighborhood also benefits from housing the Portland Mounted Police

stables. Mounted officers regularly patrol the neighborhood and their horses engender welcome

and interest from residents (see Photo 7).

Fig. 1: Crimes against Persons in Portland

and the Pearl, 1993-2009 (per 1000 residents)

Fig. 2: Crimes against Property in Portland

and the Pearl, 1993-2009 (per 1000 residents)

Photo 7

The Portland Mounted Police regularly patrol the

neighborhood, generating interaction and interest


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Neighborhood Amenities

Table 6: List of Neighborhood Amenities in the Pearl Neighborhood

Parks

North Park Blocks Waterfront/Naito Parkway Tanner Springs Jamison Square The Fields/Dog Park

Transportation

Portland Streetcar Bus systems Sidewalks Parking structures & on-street

Parking

Miscellaneous

Zimmerman Community Center Pearl District Neighborhood

Association

Pearl District Business Association Mounted Police Post office Laundromats & dry cleaners Public restrooms

Culture/Entertainment

The Armory Theatre The Museum of Contemporary

Craft

Several art galleriesServices outside the neighborhood

Legacy Good Samaritan Medical The Benson Hotel The Mark Spencer Hotel Churches Childpeace Montessori MAX Yellow Cab gas station Union Station

Schools

The Art Institute of Portland Willamette University Pacific Northwest College of Art Aveda Institute Portland Emerson Charter School Head Start classrooms

Grocery

Whole Foods Safeway (w/ pharmacy) Rite Aid (w/ pharmacy) Pearl Market (Convenience) Penzeys Spice Cash & Carry 9th Ave MiniMart (Convenience)

Banks

Banner Bank Key Bank Umpqua Wells Fargo West Coast Bank Albina Community Bank

Fitness

24 Hour Fitness Several pilates studios Several yoga studios LA Fitness

Dog Services

LexiDog Boutique & Social Club

Dogstar Hotel Dog-friendly restaurants Pearl Animal Hospital Dog Park Pet waste stations


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In accordance with the principles of

urbanism, the Pearl District boasts a

rich array of amenities that both

enrich the lives of residents and

attract outsiders who come to sample

the urban lifestyle (see Table 6). The

design for the Pearl calls for a triad of

parks that fulfill different needs for

the community: a plaza, a

contemplative park and a park for running and picnics. To date, Tanner Springs (see Photos 8

and 13) and Jamison Square (see Photo 3) have been completed and ground breaking ceremonies

were held in March 2012 to begin construction on the third park. The Fields, at the north end of

the neighborhood, will include a large lawn, a childrens playground and a dog park (Classen

2012:6-7). The North Park Blocks along the Pearls east boundary remain from the original

immigrant neighborhood. Lined by

tall trees, the park consists of five

blocks of lawn with benches, a

playground and statues.

As outlined in the

RDURAs goals, the Pearl relies on

resources outside the neighborhood

and is careful about which

businesses it brings in. Pearl

Photo 8

Tanner Springs, framed by the Fremont Bridge, provides a

quiet, dog-free environment

Photo 9

Public toilets are an important part of enjoying public spaces


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residents visit Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center for medical care and rely on Portland Fire

& Rescue Station 03 for emergency response (both are located in the Northwest neighborhood).

The absence of certain types of businesses is also notable. Chipotle and Quiznos are as close as

the Pearl gets to fast food, underscoring neighbors preference for healthy, locally owned

restaurants. Also, check cashing businesses, largely associated with areas of poverty such as the

neighborhoods discussed in Kozols Savage Inequalities (1992), are nonexistent in the Pearl.

This is indicative of the communitys commitment to mitigating the effects of poverty within

their neighborhood. Finally, a gas station is easily accessible on 16th

Ave (in Northwest), but the

lack of gas stations in the Pearl indicates the low demand, likely due to the comprehensive public

transportation system in place.

Residents of the Pearl access

multiple modes of transportation to

get where they are going. Not only

does the neighborhood have well-

maintained sidewalks for pedestrians

(the neighborhood has a Walk Score

of 95), it also has a well-designed

system of one-way and two-way

streets that accommodate vehicles and

bicycles with clearly marked lanes, signage and lights. Parking is available at parking structures

and on-street where drivers pay at solar-powered meters that accept credit and debit cards as well

as coins.

Photo 10

The Portland Streetcar runs through most of the Pearl,

providing connections to the MAX network


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Well-planned bus routes maximize commuter time and accessibility, but the jewel of the

Pearls transportation system is the Portland Streetcar(see Photo 10), an electric trolley that

travels north on 10th

and south on 11th

and is currently free throughout most of the neighborhood.

The Portland Streetcar gives residents access to the entire length of downtown Portland and links

commuters to the MAX lines in Downtown. In September 2012, the Streetcar Loop Project will

join the east and west banks of the Willamette, but end the free zone upon which many poorer

residents rely (Portland Streetcar 2011).

Dogs are a significant addition to the lives of

many Pearl District residents. Particularly in the

central blocks, a pedestrian cannot go more than

a couple blocks without seeing a dog or three out

for a walk. The Pearl is very accommodating of

dogs, providing an off-leash dog park as well as

dog hotels, salons, boutiques and dog-friendly

condos and apartments. Some restaurants even

have dog-friendly menus (Puro 2012:16). In

order to keep up with the waste from all these

animals, the PDNA has installed more than a

dozen Fido House Deluxe pet-waste stations,

which provide baggies and disposal (see Photo 11).

Dogs seem to be well-tolerated in the neighborhood, which is a typically white

interpretation of the urban dog dilemma discussed in Doggie Tales (Sentinel News 2008).

Even businesses that have no dogs signs posted make no protest when a customerenters with a

Photo 11

Pet waste stations provided by the PDNA
http://www.portlandstreetcar.org/http://www.portlandstreetcar.org/


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dog and if fellow customers are put out, they do not speak up. One place from which dogs are

explicitly prohibited is Tanner Springs because their presence and waste would upset the

environmental balance of the park (see Photo 8).

The Pearl District hosts a huge

number of food options. There are

two grocery stores in the Pearl. Whole

Foods (see Photo 12) is located at the

south end of the neighborhood in the

Brewery Blocks and Safeway is

located at the north end, a couple

blocks shy of the current development

boundary. A Rite Aid on 10th

Ave

serves as a pharmacy in addition to the Safeway pharmacy and two convenience stores fill in the

gaps. Penzeys Spice is a specialty store that sells spices and Cash & Carry, a few blocks north of

Safeway, is a warehouse-type store that sells food and restaurant supplies in bulk. The Pearl also

features scores of restaurants, bars, brewpubs, bakeries and cafs to satisfy any craving. They are

available in a range of affordability.

In addition to physical amenities, Pearl District neighbors benefit from the efforts of

community services. The PDNA began in 1991 as a foot patrol to address crime and now

influences the quality of life in the Pearl by weighing in on building design, cleanliness,

transportation and security. The PDBA promotes the neighborhood as a destination, cultivating

retail, dining, art and entertainment. Zimmerman Community Center provides child, adult and

family programs as well as a community garden. The Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center hosts a

Photo 12

Whole Foods caters to a more affluent clientele


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globally and environmentally conscious marketplace and event space within a restored, LEED

Gold certified building. Finally, the Portland Pearl Rotary Club, in the area since 1975, endorses

high ethical standards among its members, which, in turn, benefits the community at large.

Conclusion

The Pearl District is deceptively

affluent. One might argue that it is

an enclave for yuppies. Like the

neighborhoods in Urban Enclaves,

the neighborhood is abundant with

resources to support a dense

concentration of people with

money to spend on an affluent

lifestyle (Abrahamson 2005). At

first glance, it is an upscale neighborhood characterized not by large houses and huge yards, but

by a wealth of loft-style homes, expensive retail and waterfront views. While these elements

exist in the Pearl, upon closer examination, they appear to be less definitive than one might

assume. The primary characteristic that prevents the neighborhood from being categorized a

yuppie enclave is the diversity of household incomes. The Pearl includes a variety of incomes

ranging from those who can afford million dollar condos to those who live in subsidized housing.

One might also argue that it is a gentrifying neighborhood based on the amount of urban

renewal it has enjoyed over the past couple decades. The story of the Pearl is very similar to that

of the Village in Streetwise (Anderson 1990): a rundown historical neighborhood is discovered

Photo 13

Tanner Springs ringed by apartments with beautiful views


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by a small group of non-mainstream people who create an enclave of Bohemian values only to

be invaded by developers who know a good investment property when they see it. However,

the Pearl developers did not routinely demolish housing stock, they updated existed buildings

where possible (see Photo 1). Further, their development did not displace thousands of people,

nor did it create a more polarized community. In fact, developers in the Pearl have sought to

embrace diversity, accessibility, conservation and human scale, focusing more on revitalization

than gentrification. This has attracted a great deal of interest nationally and world-wide, making

it an attractive option for investment, media and relocating businesses (see Photos 16 and 17).

The Pearl has a busy future in store. Completion of the Streetcar Loop will spur housing

development within the Central City. As a result, the Pearl will probably see a final push to

develop the north end of the neighborhood as well as pressure to keep housing affordable.

Increased housing and population will likely reduce the crime rate in the northern Pearl as it

creates more eyes on the street. There will also be more pressure to create housing to

accommodate families so that as families grow, they do not have to move out of the Pearl due to

lack of affordable 2-3 bedroom homes. Two residential buildings are slated for completion in

2012 and a third is on the drawing table, but none feature those necessary larger units. As

development tends to drive up prices, making it difficult for residents to continue to afford to live

there, the Pearl will need to focus on keeping the neighborhood an affordable home for those

already in place. The designers of the Pearl will continue to implement the values of New

Urbanism, which will, in turn, continue to create a high geography of opportunity for residents

by raising social capital through access to good schools, public services and economic prospects.


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Gallery (Photos 14-17)

14: The Pearl is a high density neighborhood,

getting more use out of an acre than most

15: Human scale in planning creates spaces that

break up the imposing nature of large buildings

16: The Pearl is a popular site for filming TV shows

such as Leverage and Grimm, putting it on the

maps of nation-wide viewers

17: The Pearl attracts international business. The

Meier & Frank Warehouse is being renovated for

Vestas, a Denmark-based green energy company


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Spain, Daphne. 1993. Been-heres versus come-heres. APA Journal. Spring(1993): 156-171
http://www.politifact.com/oregon/statements/2011/nov/18/tom-hughes/20-percenthttp://www.movingtoportland.net/schools/private-schoolshttp://www.pdc.us/our-work/urban-renewal-areas/river-district.aspxhttp://www.pps.k12.or.us/schoolshttp://www.portlandstreetcar.org/node/11http://www.portlandstreetcar.org/node/11http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schoolshttp://www.pdc.us/our-work/urban-renewal-areas/river-district.aspxhttp://www.movingtoportland.net/schools/private-schoolshttp://www.politifact.com/oregon/statements/2011/nov/18/tom-hughes/20-percent

the pearl district: an urban neighborhood

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