Portland Oregon a Model City for Urban Planners?

Portland has been near and dear to my heart in many ways. I have numerous friends developed over the years and I have come to appreciate their laid back way of life and the fortunate opportunity to live in such a great small city. To us urban planners and urbanists, Portland has also been seen as a model city where they have done things right for decades. From the tearing down of a highway in the 1970s, to the creation of great public spaces, to having one of the most progressive urban growth management strategy anywhere in this continent, to a transit system that increasingly is putting older, more established ones to shame (think the Toronto Transit Commission - TTC). 

I will be visiting Portland for my fifth time in eight years, and I will be posting stuff here and on Twitter. I will be posting to the good, the bad, and the ugly with no bias. I will also have an urban planning friend come as well so we will both be able to share our experience, one who has been to Portland numerous times, and one who is a newbie and never been to Portland. Starting on August 6 come with me and go on a journey and see what Portland Oregon is all about.