City of Bend (Fall 2024)
The City of Bend will partner with SCYP Community and Regional Planning graduate students to apply contemporary land use planning and urban design concepts to help transition a traditional, auto-centric neighborhood into an area with a mix of residential and commercial uses that is climate resilient, equitable and includes infrastructure that facilitates active transportation. The culminating final student product will summarize an urban design proposal and vision for the area. Beyond spatial considerations, planning policy recommendations to support the students' site-based recommendations will be included.
Bend is a thriving and growing City with highly engaged and active residents. In the geographic center of Oregon, Bend is nestled between the eastern side of the Cascades and the high desert. With a population of around 100,000, Bend is small city or big town, depending on perspective. Big enough to have great restaurants and other amenities, small enough that everyone is friendly. Bend see itself as a community of entrepreneurs, outdoor enthusiasts, community activists, and families. The local government aims to provide public service that is innovative as well as responsive to the community.
This SCYP and City of Bend partnership is possible in part due to support from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as former Congressman Peter DeFazio, who secured federal funding for SCYP through Congressionally Directed Spending. With additional funding from the city, the partnership will allow UO students and faculty to study and make recommendations on city-identified projects and issues.