UPDATE: Tickets are sold out for this event. If you'd still like to attend, there will be a line forming outside the venue starting at at 6:00 p.m. and we'll be releasing all unclaimed tickets at 6:45 p.m. Thanks for your support!

How would you improve your city? Our new event series might give you some ideas. 

GOOD Ideas for Cities taps creative problem solvers to tackle real urban challenges and present their solutions at live events across the country. Thanks to a partnership between GOOD and CEOs for Cities and a generous grant from ArtPlace we're taking the program to five mid-sized cities in 2012, starting with Portland, Oregon. 

In late 2011 we issued a call for creatives in Portland, and chose six teams to represent the city. Each team has been issued a challenge proposed by an urban leader working in Portland, and at the event, they'll present their ideas for a solution to that challenge. The urban leaders will then join them onstage for a brief Q&A moderated by GOOD Ideas for Cities editor Alissa Walker. And afterwards, a reception will provide a perfect time for all guests to talk about how to make these ideas for Portland a reality.

Thursday, February 16
Doors at 6:00pm
Program begins at 7:00pm 

Ziba Auditorium
910 NW Marshall
Portland, OR 97209

Hosted by Portland State University Graphic Design Department and Ziba
Sponsored by AIGA Portland
Special thanks to our partners: Dill Pickle Club, Scout Books, ADX, Paul Searle

The Challenges 

Local schools must be supported by the community if they are to be successful. How can our neighborhoods, and institutions in them like businesses, work better to support youth, their educational outcomes and opportunities?

The Office of Mayor Sam Adams: Cary Clarke, Arts and Culture Policy Director; Lisa Libby, Planning and Sustainability Director; Kali Ladd, Education and Youth Policy Director
Wieden + Kennedy: Nick Barham, Eugenie Frerichs, Bernadette Spear, Seth Weisfield, Igor Clark, Patrick Nistler, Jamie Ostrov, Joseph Limauro, Matt Brown

Today one of every two adults in Multnomah County is overweight or obese. The way we build our cities is part of the problem. How might we re-think our public spaces to promote public health and more active lifestyles?

Department of Planning, City of Portland: Eric Engstrom, Principal Planner
Official Mfg. Co.: Mathew Foster, Jeremy Pelley, Fritz Mesenbrink

A reduction of the amount of meat and dairy in local diets could have a profound impact on the city's environmental footprint. How do we get the residents of Portland to consume less meat?

Sustainable Food Policy and Programs, City of Portland: Steve Cohen, Manager
Ideas for Cities from Ziba: Carl Alviani, Ryan Coulter, Steve Lee

Local businesses are hesitant to set up shop in some areas located outside of Portland's city center. How do we help nurture a stronger, more competitive business climate in Lents Town Center?

Portland Development Commission: Kevin Cronin, Senior Program Manager and Shawn Ulman, Public Affairs Manager
Team ADX: Building a Community of Thinkers and Makers: Eric Black, Kelley Roy, Greg Simons, Sean Barrow, Simon Yuen, Sarah Thilman, Tyesha Snow, Iain Thatcher, Max Miller

Portland is known worldwide as a bike town; yet we have stalled when it comes to infrastructure. How might we create a major new bikeway that helps make bicycling as visible, safe, convenient, and pleasant for as many people as possible?

Bike Portland: Jonathan Maus, Founder
THINK.urban: Jason King, Allison Duncan, Katrina Johnston

Local farmers are reporting that they are working more markets yet making less money. How do we increase access to fresh locally grown food while ensuring profitability for our region’s farmers?

Portland Farmers Market: Trudy Toliver, Executive Director
Sincerely Interested: Nicole Lavelle, Sarah Baugh, Justin Flood