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Regional Policies, Practices, Tools, and Strategies to Implement Polycentric Development: Comparative Case Studies of Portland, Seattle, and Denver

Author

Listed:
  • Reid Ewing

    (Department of City and Metropolitan Planning, College of Architecture and Planning, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA)

  • Torrey Lyons

    (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID 83415, USA)

  • Seyed Hassan Ameli

    (Metropolitan Research Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA)

  • John Hersey

    (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID 83415, USA
    College of Environmental Design, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA)

  • Justyna Kaniewska

    (Department of City and Metropolitan Planning, College of Architecture and Planning, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA)

Abstract

Many of the larger US metropolitan regions promote polycentric development as a way of fostering livability, accessibility, and sustainability. Polycentric urban structures can increase transit ridership, promote active transportation, and decrease vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and CO 2 emissions. Although many regions include ambitious polycentric aspirations in their plans, only a few follow up with rigorous implementation and see their efforts come to fruition. The topic of implementation is also widely omitted from scholarly inquiry. This research aims to explore three examples of successful implementation of urban polycentricity: Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and Denver, Colorado. Each region employs a very distinct polycentric development model, but each relies heavily on its regional governance organization for direction, guidance, and even command in the implementation process. To understand specific strategies and methods used by each region, the authors conducted interviews with metropolitan planning organizations, central cities, and transit agencies in the three regions and used qualitative techniques to analyze the interview transcripts and collected documents. As regional governance organizations play a crucial role in implementing regional plans, their policies and practices were also investigated by the authors. Based on collected data and insights, we conclude that the three regions are great examples of an advanced implementation of polycentric development. This research can be helpful to other US metropolitan regions that wish to promote polycentric development. The lessons learned from the three case studies can provide guidance and possible paths to successful implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Reid Ewing & Torrey Lyons & Seyed Hassan Ameli & John Hersey & Justyna Kaniewska, 2024. "Regional Policies, Practices, Tools, and Strategies to Implement Polycentric Development: Comparative Case Studies of Portland, Seattle, and Denver," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-29, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:2:p:238-:d:1339458
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    References listed on IDEAS

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