City Profiles / Medium Cities / Eugene, OR

Eugene, Oregon

Green space makes up 16 percent of Eugene, including more than 3,000 acres of natural areas—and it is continuing to grow with the acquisition of 260 more acres of natural land in the Eugene Hills Ridgeline Trail System and 190 acres of community parkland. Far from going unused, this space is enjoyed by the town's particularly active population—Eugene has been named one of the country's best biking cities, with 33 miles of off-road bike paths and more than 90 miles of bike lanes. In fall 2006, the city began developing the Pedestrian and Bike Strategic Plan, a five-year program to improve the infrastructure for walkers and bikers and more fully integrate them into the city's transportation system.

Oregon's cities are required to set urban growth boundaries, which creates both advantages and challenges for the city of Eugene, among them a limited housing supply selling at comparatively high prices. But these boundaries have likewise created a city that is compact with preserved farmland and natural areas outside of the city limits. Eugene's own growth-management policies, enacted through public process in 1998, made livability a high priority with an emphasis on social equity and inclusive recreational and cultural offerings. The city has had an active Human Rights Program since the 1970s.

Eugene first adopted a Sustainability Policy in 2000, and in July 2006 adopted the Sustainable Buildings policy, directing that all city-owned and occupied buildings will follow the LEED system for maintenance and new construction. In 2007 it elected a sustainability manager, and in 2008 assembled a sustainability commission, a citizen-advisory board to provide community feedback on the city's environmental efforts.