The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and Portland State University (PSU) are offering the Portland Traffic and Transportation class as a way to empower Portlanders to make a difference in the future of their city.
The brainchild of U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, the course features leaders and experts who share an inside look at the transportation history, projects and policies that have shaped Portland, and advise students on how they can help make a more sustainable and equitable community through transportation.
For the past 32 years, the Portland Traffic and Transportation course has been made available at no cost to area residents who have an interest in learning more about the city’s mobility infrastructure. The course will feature local and state transportation experts and community-based organization leaders. This year’s speakers include Ashton Simpson (Metro), Rukaiyah Adams (CEO/Founder/Activist), Millicent Williams (Director of PBOT), Michael Alexander (former Executive Director, Urban League), Winta Johannes (Executive Director, Albina Vision), and many other community professionals.
Returning to the head of the classroom again is Thuy Tu. Tu has more than 25 years of experience in urban planning, transportation analysis, and community engagement. In addition to the technical knowledge Tu brings to the classroom, she shares her passion and enthusiasm for the work. “It’s with great honor and privilege to inspire, guide and facilitate these conversations of equity and mobility with our neighbors, experts, and those who live and thrive in our communities,” says Tu. “I am continuously in awe with our students’ creative ideas and solutions on how we can improve our transportation system for everyone!”
Former student Caroline Crisp said this about the Portland Traffic and Transportation class, “I absolutely loved this class! It helped me build my professional network by connecting with other transportation folks locally and throughout the nation. I learned so much and it inspired me to go to graduate school for transportation planning!”
Students will have weekly assignments, a field trip, and a final class presentation. Class size is limited to 30 students with seats held for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members to ensure class diversity with representation from all geographic areas of Portland.
When: Thursdays from 6:40 p.m. to 8:40 p.m., Sept. 28 to Nov. 30, 2023
Where: Portland State University, Fariborz Masseh Hall, Room 234
Interested in joining the 2023 class? Register here for the fall class. Registration closes Thursday, Sept. 14.