Pittlandia: Is Pittsburgh the New Portland?

Many recent articles call Pittsburgh the new Portland, pointing to craft breweries and local food, but the real question is how the two cities stack up environmentally. Air-quality grades from the American Lung Association illustrate the gap: Pittsburgh still ranks among the country’s dirtiest cities while Portland enjoys much cleaner air, something residents should not have to travel 2,500 miles to experience. Portland’s commitment to sustainable urban design and fighting climate change puts it far ahead of Pittsburgh.

One difference lies in bicycling infrastructure and culture. Portland is a founding member of the Cities for Cycling initiative and continues to expand bike boxes, signals and corrals while enforcing pedestrian right-of-way laws that make cycling safer. Pittsburgh’s hills and winters pose challenges, but groups like Bike Pittsburgh have spurred progress—new bike share stations, safety reports and a Complete Streets policy show momentum toward a more cycle-friendly city.

Pittsburgh is also drawing lessons from Portland’s Climate Action Plan. The city plans pilot neighborhoods with bike racks and seeks to finance energy efficiency through green roofs and home rehabilitation programs modeled on Portland’s FAR Bonus Program. With recent ordinances like commercial building benchmarking and a forthcoming third edition of its climate plan, Pittsburgh is beginning to follow Portland’s example. By embracing these measures, the Steel City can still build a cleaner, healthier future.