2014 National Convening Skills Presenations Portland Plan | Page 81

Healthy Connected City

Portland Today
Chronic disease: Chronic disease rates including those for obesity, diabetes and respiratory illness have skyrocketed.
Today, one in 16 Multnomah County residents has diabetes; one in eight has asthma; one in four youth is overweight; and
one in two adults is overweight or obese.
Incomplete neighborhoods: Only 45 percent of Portlanders live in health-supporting, complete neighborhoods with
businesses, frequent transit service, schools, parks or greenspaces and other amenities close enough to safely and easily
walk or bike to meet their daily needs. In some areas, services are scattered or missing, or streets may lack sidewalks,
bikeways or other safe connections providing local access.
Lack of neighborhood economic vitality: From 2000 to 2008, 17 of Portland’s 23 neighborhood market areas lost jobs.
Commercial vitality is widely uneven among neighborhood business districts as shown by retail sales capture rates.
Active transportation: Active forms of transportation, such as walking, biking and taking transit, can help reduce the risk
of developing chronic diseases and can reduce transportation costs. Currently, only 27 percent of commuters walk, bike or
take transit to work, and Portlanders travel 16 miles per day by car on average.
Carbon emissions and climate change: Portland’s carbon emissions are six percent below 1990 levels, while the U.S.
average is up about 15 percent. However, climate scientists have determined that reductions of 50 to 85 percent by 2050
are needed to avoid, reduce and adapt to anticipated impacts from climate change. Significant changes may affect weather
patterns, increased flooding, wildfire, drought, disease and invasive plant and animal species. The City is developing
a Climate Change Adaptation Plan to help guide future policy decisions and investments in areas of public health,
infrastructure and natural systems.
Parks and nature in the city: Nearby parks, streams and natural areas give Portlanders places to recreate, relax and spend
time with friends and family. This improves both physical and emotional well-being. Currently, 76 percent of Portlanders live
within a half-mile safe walking distance of a park or natural area. The Portland region’s 40-mile loop and the larger regional
trail system provide access along rivers and through major natural areas like Forest Park, Johnson Creek and the Columbia
Slough. However, this popular system of trails is incomplete and has few connections to neighborhoods.
Watershed health: Neighborhoods with generous tree canopy and less pavement have cleaner, cooler air. Trees and
other veget