Preface The 1970s in Oregon could easily be called our Land Use Decade—a remarkable period of citizen activism in which the people of this state squarely faced up to the challenge of rapid growth and did something about it. From our land use planning laws to local comprehensive plans, Oregonians began to put order on the chaos of the sprawling development that threatened to destroy this state's natural heritage and future livability. Today, we are just beginning to accrue the benefits of our foresight. The times, however, have not stood idly by. The new decade has brought with it a tough set of issues which tvill only broaden the challenges of the last ten years. We must now grapple with the impacts of increasingly scarce resources, energy and capital, inflated costs of goods and services, and the decline of big government's willingness and even ability to meet social needs. The old growth and quality of life questions have not gone away—they've just gotten more complex. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the local level. The 1980s will require that the grass roots level perform as it has never performed before. Fortunately for Greater Portland—for any American city—the real creative potential of the '80s will be found in our neighborhoods and communities. This is the simple but profound message of Knowing Home: Studies for a Possible Portland. Rich in past perspectives and future visions, this guide offers us an image of a self-reliant city that will help our localities navigate the difficult choices ahead. This is not distant idealism or rigid ideology, but real, sound and humane advice for a city and a society in the throes of rapid change. We would do well to take it to heart and put its vision to practice. / diO( 4 «
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc4NTAz