Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 23 F E B R UA R Y 2 4 , 2 0 2 0 I n his Portland post, Levine introduced best practices in housing policy, land use and equity planning, while manag- ing the largest private investment in the city since the Great Fire of 1866. Mainebiz caught up with him to find out what he's up to now. Mainebiz: You've been in hands-on urban planning for a long time, why the change? Jeff Levine: I'd been working in local government planning for almost 25 years, and I was ready to do something new. I was contacted about working at MIT, and it was an exciting opportu- nity to help shape the direction of the profession. I've taught graduate level classes at other universities and enjoy working with those starting out in the planning field. I also wanted to work on planning issues with a broader per- spective as a land use consultant. MB: What specifically are you doing? JL: I'm on the MIT faculty in their Urban Studies and Planning Department. I teach a practicum, a hands-on, project- based course, to a group of students every year, and also teach economic development planning and advise stu- dents. I'm also consulting on housing, land use and development projects with a range of public and private clients. MB: What are the best things, planning-wise, happening in Portland? JL: Portland's residents and government believe in the value of good urban plan- ning. Plans created 20 years ago have resulted in the successes we see today. For example, the restriction on housing in the central waterfront has been key to maintaining some of the essential character and industry of the city. While there is more to be done, especially on issues of affordability and workforce development, Portland is seen nation- ally as a model of how good planning gets good results. MB: What should Portland look out for? JL: Portland's at a decision point about transportation, mobility and growth. e dominant existing pattern of work- ers driving downtown and expecting their employers to subsidize parking for them is not sustainable. e city will need to invest in mobility rather than road capacity and parking if the growth of the last 10 years is going to continue. Providing better mobility around the region without adding more cars will also help with the housing shortage. e city should partner with METRO, pri- vate companies, and other stakeholders to develop solutions that are environ- mentally and fiscally sustainable. MB: What's the biggest misconcep- tion about urban growth? JL: ere's an assumption that new devel- opment causes gentrification. It's not that simple. Popular places become more expensive because they're great places to be, which is also why there is interest in new development. However, where new development is limited, gentrifica- tion still happens, sometimes even more quickly because supply is limited. Cities should generally leverage new develop- ment to help address public challenges through tools like reasonable impact fees and inclusionary zoning requirements. MB: You're also doing research on land use and planning impact of legalized adult-use cannabis? JL: is is the first time that a new land use has been introduced into cities in this way since the end of prohibition. It's important to think through how a whole new land use like cannabis businesses will affect other services, vacancy rates, rents, and even the built form. Last fall I was able to hire a research assistant and began collecting data on this issue. I have a lot more to do, in part because I haven't had the time to seek funding for the project, but it's on my to-do list. MB: You're writing a book about leadership in urban planning. JL: It comes out of work I did a few years ago on how to lead in the plan- ning profession. I taught part of an all- day program at the National Planning Conference. After that, I created a three-module on-line training unit on the issue. It was a natural progres- sion to turn that work into a book. e intended audience will be planners that are looking to make a difference. O N T H E R E C O R D B Y M A U R E E N M I L L I K E N B Y M A U R E E N M I L L I K E N Jeff Levine was Portland's director of planning an urban development before leaving last year to become a lecturer of economic planning and development for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as an adjunct role at the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine. Our financial education program can help your employees develop good financial habits and make smarter long-term decisions. This program covers key financial topics to help with financial planning and benefits decisions. We offer: •Group workshops •Benefits guidance •Financial tools and resources •Retirement planning Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP (with flame design) in the U.S. Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services Inc., a registered investment adviser © 2020 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Financial education is a workplace solution. John Hughes, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP® Private Wealth Advisor 5 Ward Street, Scarborough, ME 04074 An Ameriprise Private Wealth Advisory Practice Bring a financial wellness program to your organization, contact me today! (207) 883-4434 | john.x.hughes@ampf.com johnxhughes.com P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F M I T Jeff Levine Jeff Levine was was Portland's director of Portland's director of planning before leaving planning before leaving last year for academia. last year for academia. He urges cities to He urges cities to leverage development leverage development to address public to address public challenges with tools challenges with tools like impact fees and like impact fees and inclusionary zoning. inclusionary zoning.

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