Düsseldorf-Portland
Urban
Diplomacy
Exchange
Düsseldorf-Portland
April 7 to 11, 2025
From April 6 to 11, 2025, an administrative exchange took place between the state capital of Düsseldorf and the city of Portland (Oregon, USA) as part of the Urban Diplomacy Exchange program. Three representatives of the Düsseldorf city administration, including those from the city planning department, traveled to the USA to discuss current urban development issues with their American colleagues.
Arrival and program start
The colleagues from Portland had already put together a varied and broadly-based program in advance. The mornings featured specialist presentations on topics such as urban planning, mobility and transport planning, and waste management. The afternoons featured excursions to selected projects in the city—including the Cully district on the outskirts of Portland. Initial acquaintances and informal exchanges were furthered during shared evenings in a relaxed atmosphere.
The delegation from Düsseldorf with its partners in the city of Portland
Kick-off on April 7, 2025
The official kickoff of the exchange began with a get-together and welcome remarks in the Portland Building. Initial presentations offered a basic insight into the planning approaches and current challenges facing the city of Portland. The day concluded with a guided urban development tour and a ride on the Aerial Tram.
Professional exchange & excursions (8–10 April 2025)
In the following days, both delegations from Düsseldorf and Portland presented their approaches and experiences on various topics such as urban planning, waste disposal, and infrastructure, including bridge construction. In addition, selected projects were visited on-site, such as a roughly 100-year-old movable bascule bridge.
A highlight was the visit to the Cully district, where the non-profit organization Green presented their long-standing work. Cully is considered a disadvantaged neighborhood that has received little attention in urban planning processes for decades. Verde is committed to social justice and infrastructure projects there – for example, through the installation of solar panels and the development of Cully Park. The Düsseldorf delegation also had the opportunity to attend a meeting of the local planning committee and gain insights into local decision-making processes.
Final workshop on April 11, 2025
The event concluded with a joint workshop prepared by the Portland Planning Office. The focus was on the differences—but also surprising similarities—between the German and American planning systems.
Conclusion
The exchange was an enriching experience for all participants. The Urban Diplomacy Exchange was particularly valuable because of the broader perspective—toward different planning approaches, administrative structures, and approaches to common challenges. In addition to the professional insights, the personal encounters with colleagues from Portland also contributed significantly to intensifying transatlantic cooperation.