Trees in the curb zone
There are many streets in Portland that lack planting strips or do not have enough space behind the curb for new trees to thrive. Many of these streets are in East Portland. These areas have lower levels of roofing and household income than other neighborhoods.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), Urban Forestry, and the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) are working together to address this issue with a pilot project to create new space for trees in the curb/parking zone. The Curb Trees pilot project offers the three offices the opportunity to collaborate on the installation of new street tree plantings. These new curb designs slow traffic to improve road safety and make room for trees on roads that they wouldn’t otherwise have.
The project comes directly from the recently adopted Pedestrian Master Plan (PedPDX) and the PBOT’s Pedestrian Design Guide. These efforts are a result of public support for more innovative approaches to tree planting in Portland. The pilot project is funded by PBOT and a Percent for Green grant from BES.
Urban Forestry works with PBOT in all phases of planning and implementation of the project. Urban Forestry’s role is to provide expertise on tree care and spacing requirements, as well as feedback on design. Urban Forestry will conduct species selection, planting and establishment for five years.
Project team members hope that the designs developed can serve as a template for future plantings in other parts of the city.
The Pedestrian Design Guide provides information on innovative tree planting practices such as B. Trees in the Curb Zone. This diagram is conceptual and not a technical drawing.
www.portland.gov
https://www.portland.gov/trees/get-involved/news/2023/3/23/city-bureaus-urban-forestry-join-forces-plant-more-street-trees
