Oregon Active Transportation Summit

Did you know that a single line of zoning code can determine whether a neighborhood is walkable—or car-dependent for decades? While we often focus on transportation investments building sidewalks and bike lanes in the public realm, local rules and regulations that govern the development in the private realm quietly shape the design of communities. Supporting community mobility requires more than just infrastructure investments—it demands cross-sector collaboration across land use and transportation practitioners.The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) works with communities across the state to develop plans and regulations that foster active transportation and public transit. To make this work easier, DLCD and Cascadia Partners developed the Walkable Design Standards Guidebook, a practical resource that offers model code language and guidance on when and why certain approaches make sense for different places. This guidebook helps communities create walkable, vibrant, and transit-supportive environments.This session will provide attendees with an understanding of the often-overlooked land use regulations that shape urban environments and provide actionable strategies to improve community walkability. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for walkable urban design and learn how to apply them effectively. Through case studies from the Portland area, we’ll explore the interplay between urban design, walkability, and transit networks—offering concrete examples that participants can adapt to their own communities.