Framing Page for Regional Collaboration and Equity Session NNIP Portland 2012

1:45–3:45 – Wednesday afternoon

The problems and opportunities of cities are increasingly regional in nature. Issues of demographic transition, housing policy and homelessness, aging infrastructure, crime and gang violence, education and youth engagement do not respect jurisdictional borders. Successfully addressing these issues often requires a regional approach that begins with a common set of data that can benchmark the current situation, follow trends, track progress, and empower community groups to press for change.  Portland, Oregon is home to Metro, the only regional government agency in the U.S. whose governing body is directly elected by the region's voters. Metro was established in 1992 with voter approval of its charter. The Metro Council consists of a president who is elected region wide and six councilors who are elected by district every four years in nonpartisan races. They serve nearly 1.5 million people in Clackamas, Washington, and Multnomah Counties in Oregon. The Metro Charter gives Metro a broad set of responsibilities in regional land use and transportation planning, as well as management of regional parks and facilities and the management of solid waste.