About the Sustainable City Year Program
The Sustainable City Year Program is an innovative university-community partnership program founded by the Sustainable Cities Institute (SCI) at the University of Oregon in 2009-10. In this unique model, existing courses, faculty, and students from across campus are purposefully directed toward a single Oregon community over an academic year to address vexing issues identified by the community. SCYP and the students, faculty, and communities it partners with are a shining example of Oregon innovation, leadership, and how leveraging resources can contribute to meaningful, additional, and society-wide value.
SCYP is more than just students working on a project for a class. It is creating Oregon’s future workforce, developing a connection with local government and Oregon communities, and generating creative, out of the box ideas by high achieving students and faculty experts. The projects that SCYP works on are prioritized by our partners, which means they are important and relevant. It is difficult to put a limit on SCYP’s potential, just as communities have limitless possibilities to improve the quality of life for their residents, businesses, and visitors.
Funding Acknowledgment
Community partnerships are possible in part due to support from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as former Congressman Peter DeFazio, who secured federal funding for SCYP through Congressionally Directed Spending.
Partnering with SCYP
Cities and public agencies apply to partner with SCYP - learn more about the partnership process and how SCYP can help communities explore solutions to their biggest challenges.
2024-26 Partner
City of Tualatin
The City of Tualatin is a thriving, welcoming community of nearly 28,000 residents. Known for its exceptional quality of life, strong community involvement, and attractive location, Tualatin offers a balance of small-town charm and big-city access. Its strategic location 12 miles south of Portland and 30 miles north of Salem at the crossroads of Interstates 5 and 205, combined with commuter rail access via the Westside Express Service (WES), makes Tualatin a vital hub for both residents and businesses in the Portland metropolitan area.
In 2022 the city adopted the Core Opportunity Reinvestment Area Plan, which includes a vision to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic vitality of this 457-acre central Tualatin area. SCYP classes will support the city’s downtown revitalization goal to create a community identity that encourages investment and redevelopment in the downtown core area.
Tualatin's residents enjoy over 200 acres of public parks and riverfront spaces, top-rated schools through the Tigard-Tualatin School District, and one of Oregon’s premier shopping destinations—Bridgeport Village. The city is also rich in recreational and cultural offerings, including the famed Giant Pumpkin Regatta.
FALL 2025
Downtown Tualatin Site Analysis and Land Use Planning
- Classes: PPPM 608, 610, 613
- Faculty: Megan Banks, Anne Brown, and Kaarin Knudson
- Leads: Sidaro Sin and Quin Brunner (Urban Renewal / Economic Development) and Erin Engman (Planning)
Project Description: Master of Community and Regional Planning program students integrated thematic research, historical context, data analysis, and an iterative design process to create a comprehensive vision for a 41-acre site in a reimagined downtown Tualatin. Student work examined opportunities to strengthen walkability, cultivate an age-friendly community, and build economic development prospects. Student recommendations targeted infrastructure improvements and compact infill development to prioritize pedestrian experiences, memorable all-ages activity nodes throughout the project area, and resilient spaces.
FALL 2025
Multi-Modal Connections to Downtown Tualatin
- Class: PPPM 399 Urban Transportation
- Faculty: Robert Binder
- Leads: Sidaro Sin and Quin Brunner (Urban Renewal / Economic Development) and Mike McCarthy (Engineering)
Project Description: Students studied how Tualatin can improve travel connections among downtown, nearby neighborhoods, commercial areas, and the future Riverfront Park. Students’ multi-modal analysis included an existing conditions and needs assessment in three focus areas—Network, Multimodal, and Parking + Land Use. Each set of small groups completed an evaluation and scoring of final project recommendations, which included protected bike facilities, pedestrian plazas, and strategic parking consolidation to improve connection and create a destination centered around the Lake at the Commons.
FALL 2025
Downtown Revitalization Market Study
- Class: Oregon Consulting Group
- Faculty: Scott Day
- Lead: Sidaro Sin and Quin Brunner (Urban Renewal / Economic Development)
Project Description: Oregon Consulting Group conducted a comprehensive market analysis to help Tualatin identify and advance downtown’s economic role and long-term development potential. The study built on previous planning efforts and identified strategies to strengthen the business environment, leverage existing assets, and inform future investment. Students interviewed marketing experts and recommended various events throughout the year to bring visitors and residents to eat, shop, and attend various family-friendly activities.
FALL 2025
Park Structures for the New Riverfont Park Storage Facility
- Class: Timber Tectonics in the Digital Age ARCH 484/584 (UO) and WSE 425/525 (OSU)
- Faculty: Nancy Cheng (UO) and Mariapaola Riggio (OSU)
- Leads: Dustin Schull (Parks & Recreation Director) and Kira Hein (Project Manager)
Project Description: Students from the University of Oregon’s Department of Architecture and Oregon State University’s Department of Wood Science and Engineering collaborated in a design-build studio to develop concepts for a temporary structure that could be installed at Tualatin’s future riverfront park. Using sustainable “kit-of-parts” construction and materials such as Mass Plywood Panels, the open-air, covered structure was designed and engineered for storage or rental equipment and demonstrates environmentally responsible design while delivering functional, community-centered structures. The students’ final structure was successfully constructed using reclaimed wood.
WINTER 2026
Design for the Downtown Catalyst Site
- Class: ARCH 484/584 Architecture Design Studio
- Faculty: Sebastian Guivernau
- Lead: Sidaro Sin and Quin Brunner (Urban Renewal / Economic Development) Winter 2026
Project Description: Student designs for the Catalyst site explored a range of downtown design options and nearby supporting sites. Students considered potential buildings, streetscapes, and public spaces that when constructed or put in place would reflect and reinforce Tualatin’s identity and consider its relationship and connectivity to the new Riverfront Park.
This image by M.O. Stevens is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
WINTER & SPRING 2026
Downtown Floodplain Study
- Class: PSU Civil & Environment Engineering (PSU CE 484)
- Faculty: Patrick McLaughlin (PSU)
- Leads: Sidaro Sin and Quin Brunner (Urban Renewal / Economic Development) and Mike McCarthy (Engineering)
Project Description: The downtown core of Tualatin is located within a floodplain, which can present challenges for redevelopment. This project provided a preliminary floodplain analysis to help guide future downtown revival efforts, with the intent that future development projects will do a detailed site-specific floodplain analysis. The goal of the project is to reduce the extent to which the floodplain deters new development by offering early-stage insights that can inform planning and design.
WINTER & SPRING 2026
Downtown Stormwater Management Study
- Class: PSU Civil & Environment Engineering (PSU CE 484)
- Faculty: Patrick McLaughlin (PSU)
- Leads: Sidaro Sin and Quin Brunner (Urban Renewal / Economic Development) and Mike McCarthy (Engineering)
Project Description: Stormwater management in downtown Tualatin is challenging due to existing impervious surfaces, but these conditions should not deter future redevelopment. This project provided a stormwater management analysis and information to be used as a preliminary guide for downtown redevelopment projects, with the intent that future projects will do a more detailed site-specific stormwater management analysis.
WINTER & SPRING 2026
Boones Ferry Road Walkability Exploration
- Class: PSU Civil & Environment Engineering (PSU CE 484)
- Faculty: Patrick McLaughlin (PSU)
- Leads: Sidaro Sin and Quin Brunner (Urban Renewal / Economic Development) and Mike McCarthy (Engineering)
Project Description: Walkability along and across Boones Ferry Road is key to the atmosphere and safety of downtown Tualatin. Boones Ferry Road is also a key driving route and one of the few crossings of the Tualatin River, so ensuring strong connectivity between areas is paramount. The goal of this project is to improve walkability and explore streetscape designs while maintaining or improving mobility for driving, transit, and other modes.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the City of Tualatin for the opportunity to be a part of Tualatin’s future. Special thanks to Sidaro (Sid) Sin, Urban Renewal / Economic Development Manager, for serving as the lead contact for project coordination and support. SCYP also acknowledges the Tualatin City Council, Mayor, and staff.
This SCYP and City of Tualatin partnership is possible, in part, with support from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as former Congressman Peter DeFazio, who secured federal funding for SCYP through Congressionally Directed Spending and the US Department of Education. With additional matching funds from the City of Tualatin, the partnership will allow UO students and faculty to study and make recommendations on city-identified projects and issues.