Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities

Oregon is missing our goals to reduce climate pollution, particularly pollution from transportation. Transportation related pollution is important as it accounts for roughly 38% of Oregon's climate pollution. While the Oregon Department of Transportation worked with partners to develop and adopt a Statewide Transportation Strategy to reduce pollution, the state and local governments have not fully adopted the policies and investments in that Strategy. Hence we are currently off-track, and projected to become even more off track in the future.

Meanwhile, we’re experiencing the real-world impacts of climate disruption. Extreme weather events, such as wildfire, ice storms, and droughts, are harming Oregon families and economy. These events will be more frequent and severe if climate disruption continues unchecked.

Historic redlining, related government loan practices, locating of highways, and other public and private actions have created significant inequities among Oregonians. While some of those policies have changed, we are still feeling the impacts generations later.

The average Black household today has roughly one-tenth the wealth of the average white household (about $17,150 vs. $171,000). That’s in large part because most of the wealth passed down inter-generationally is in the form of housing. Those people who were allowed historically to buy in more desirable neighborhoods have passed down that wealth, and those forced into more hazardous areas have been able to pass down less wealth.

71.9% of white households own homes

41.8% of Black households own homes

The 30.1% gap is wider than it was when race-based discrimination against homebuyers was legal.  

(2017, Urban Institute)

A More Equitable, Cleaner Future

We have a key opportunity to act based on the three factors above – climate pollution, inequity, and changing household demographics.

We are developing regulations and guidance to help build communities where more Oregonians can meet their daily needs with shorter and fewer car trips, and more transit, biking, and walking. 

Imagine being able to walk a short distance to buy bread or a gallon of milk, to get to work or school, or to go to a nearby park. 

Imagine not having to chauffeur your kids everywhere, and not having to pay separate car payments, insurance and repairs for every driving-age person in your household.

Imagine a community where people of all ages, disabilities, races and incomes can afford a decent place to live and have access to convenient and affordable transportation choices.

Imagine shorter trips, less time stuck in traffic, and more ways to meet your daily needs in your neighborhood.

This isn’t science fiction. It’s the sort of city shape we have had in the past, and experience today in places like McMinnville’s downtown, or in other neighborhoods with a diversity of businesses, parks, schools and housing.

As we achieve this future, we’ll also create space for freight and emergency vehicles to get around more efficiently.