Commute, City, and Community: A Personal Perspective on Urban Living

Over the past several months, I have been inspired by my knowledgeable partner, Juliáe Riva and by Charles Montgomery’s book Happy City: Transforming our Lives Through Urban Design, to think more about how the city in which I live, work, and play affects my happiness and my views on sustainable urban design. This thought has been catalyzed by a looming change in my life: an office move from the East Waterfront in Portland to Lake Oswego, a wealthy suburb 9 miles from downtown Portland. 

At first, I was hesitant to write this. I am no expert in urban design, sustainability, or happiness for that matter. I am writing this article to share my personal experience having lived and worked in both urban neighborhoods and far away suburbs, and experienced commutes from a quick 2.5 miles to 10 miles. The thoughts below are my opinions and observations, and I share them with hopes for a brighter future for the places we live. 

Transportation: 

While it would be easy to write about my commute when addressing transportation (or how it is about to get much longer!), I want to focus elsewhere. How do I move around when I am not going to work? More importantly, how does it make me feel?

Growing up in a suburb, we had to drive several miles to the nearest grocery store. Picking up a forgotten ingredient, grabbing a quick snack, or a Mother’s Day card you forgot to buy (not that I ever did that) would take at least 40 minutes round trip, or even an hour if you’re partial to Trader Joe’s.  More importantly, this was only possible if you have a car and are able to drive, which not everyone can, especially children, elderly people, and people with disabilities. In fact, in Oregon, where I live, almost ⅓ of the state’s population is unable to drive for a variety of reasons according to a 2019 study. 

That suburban experience was formative for me, guiding my decisions on where to live and how to get around. I benefited from ample greenspace and a beautiful home in a suburban neighborhood, but I did not have the freedom to choose how I got around. 

As an adult, I chose to live in a community that is easily navigable by transit, foot, bike, or car. I walk when I can, or better yet, bike! For me, the experience is empowering – navigating the city in the way I choose. The same distance that used to get me out of the neighborhood to a grocery store can now get me across the city to many shops, parks, or restaurants. While I am biking, rather than being upset at the driver in front of me for not going fast enough (it’s the long, skinny pedal!), I am able to experience the city in a way not possible by car. Hearing the sounds, seeing the sights, and (sometimes, unfortunately) smelling the smells of Portland. 

I will be the first to admit that I don’t always make the choice to bike or walk, particularly in the dark, rainy, and cold Pacific Northwest winter. I drive a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, which makes my shorter drives entirely on electric range while still allowing me to drive longer distances to pursue my outdoor hobbies. My drive is usually short. This saves me time, money, and emits less carbon dioxide. Although it is sometimes necessary to drive, choosing to bike or walk has the added benefit of making the neighborhood safer for all, with less air pollution, less noise from vehicles, and safer roads for all. 

Time: 

Now, it is time to flex my (unbeatable) commute. I live about 2.5 miles from my office, a bit too far to walk, but a perfect 15 minute bike ride in the morning. In fact, with traffic, biking is sometimes shorter than driving! 

This commute is not only enabled by the distance traveled, it is also because Portland has worked hard to become a safer city to walk and bike in. It is no surprise then, that I love living and working in Portland. I am able to take advantage of bike lanes for the vast majority of my ride, and when I am not in a dedicated bike lane, I am cruising down neighborhood greenways (a series of bike-friendly streets in urban neighborhoods), or even the beautiful Eastbank Esplanade (a waterfront bike and footpath that meanders directly past my office)! 

I am able to choose whether I drive, bike, or bus to work, which is a privilege (but it shouldn’t have to be). Subsequently, my favorite restaurants, parks, and gym are all within a short bike ride of my workplace and home. It also lets me get more done that would not be possible in a suburb, all while being physically active.

Community: 

Portland is a testament to how community-centered city design and accessible, walkable neighborhoods can lead to active and enduring communities. Out of the cities I have lived in, it has the most community events by far. On any given summer day riding around the city, you are bound to run into impromptu group bike rides, block parties, and community yard sales. Parks are packed with groups of friends sitting on blankets picnicking, watching free shows, dancing their hearts out at Sunday silent discos, or playing pickup soccer! There are also those who give back to their community. It is not uncommon to see folks picking up trash on their daily walks, simply because they love the place they live. These lively communities did not spring up by accident; they were built intentionally through urban design. 

Portland neighborhoods are structured in a way that creates dense, walkable communities without sacrificing the peacefulness of the neighborhood to noisy traffic. With the use of mixed zoning and accessible dwelling units Portland neighborhoods, particularly on the Inner East Side have achieved a rare balance of multifamily dwellings, single family homes, and businesses that allow walkability for its residents. This mixed housing provides a population density that can support business in a smaller area. For example, in my neighborhood there are multiple coffee shops in a small area including two that are right next to each other! This is less likely to exist in dispersed communities where the population is less dense simply because there are not enough customers in the area to support more than one. 

This density and distance are important, especially when paired with sustainable infrastructure such as bike lanes, lowered speed limits, and safe pedestrian crossings that allow people to get around quickly and safely. When you’re on a bike or walking, you are instantly connected and engaged with the world around you. You are able to smile and say hello to neighbors in passing, have chance encounters with friends, and nod to fellow cyclists on the way. In a car, most of these chance encounters are lost as you zip by on major, congested roads.

Ease of transportation is not the only factor contributing to community building. Portland's ample green, public spaces and beautification initiatives, such as The City Repair Project’s street paintings, also contribute. Portland Public Parks has nearly 12,000 acres of land split up into 154 public parks, including Forest park, one of the largest urban forests in the country. In addition to the positive health benefits of green spaces, parks provide a place for people to meet and relax.

What’s Next?

Living and working in a walkable, dense urban neighborhood has shaped the way that I interact with those around me, how I get around, and made me a happier and healthier person.

Although I’m not able to share all of my thoughts and takeaways in a short blog, I do want to leave with a note on the future.

With my upcoming office move, I will go back to a longer commute to a less walkable community.  It is up to me to make the best of the world and infrastructure I live in by making conscious decisions in my lifestyle to live a more sustainable life. I will continue to read, listen, and learn about urban design to deepen my understanding of the built environment, and take other modes of transportation when I can.