Seeking Solutions to Long-Term Public Engagement in Rapidly Diversifying Communities: A Case Study in Washington County, Oregon

Authors

Meg Merrick, Portland State UniversityFollow
Andrée Tremoulet, Portland State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

3-2016

Subjects

Local government -- Oregon -- Washington County -- Public opinion, Civic engagement, Oregon -- Politics and government -- Citizen participation, Community development -- Oregon

Abstract

This paper explores the challenges in engaging a rapidly diversifying public in county government decision-making. The State of Oregon recognized the importance of meaningful public engagement by naming it as the first goal of its landmark statewide land use planning system adopted in 1973. Washington County, which is part of Portland’s tri-county metropolitan region, is geographically large, historically white but, in recent years, rapidly diversifying. It is also largely suburban and includes the region’s largest unincorporated communities. In addition, Washington County includes significant agricultural activities and small rural communities.

Description

Presented at the Urban Affairs Association Conference in San Diego, March 17, 2016.

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/16880

Citation Details

Merrick, Meg and Tremoulet, Andrée, "Seeking Solutions to Long-Term Public Engagement in Rapidly Diversifying Communities: A Case Study in Washington County, Oregon" (2016). Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies Publications. 140.
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/16880