About the Greenheart

Many large cities have developed regional plans for things such as growth management, transportation and economic cooperation with neighboring communities. But outside of urban areas, regional planning is often more challenging due to limited resources, localized priorities and lack of shared values. However, if rural and small-town lifestyles are to be preserved, this type of long-term planning is not only important but essential.

Educators at planning institutions in the Pacific Northwest were inspired by an innovative project done in the Netherlandsto explore regional planning options in the area bounded by the Vancouver, BC and Seattle metropolitan areas. This area, christened the “Greenheart,” is a traditionally agricultural region containing a number of small towns and communities. As these towns’ larger neighbors expand, urbanization pressures affect the ability of residents to maintain their customary lifestyles. Economic, social and environmental drivers threaten the region’s distinct identity.

This challenge is being studied at a number of educational institutions and because of the region’s proximity to the Canadian border the issue has illicited international interest. This site is designed to help student and faculty at participating research institutions to collaborate on research projects, to share resources and to inform others of Greenheart happenings. To date, this website serves people from the following institutions:

• The University of Washington, Seattle
• Western Washington University
• The University of British Columbia
• Regional community colleges

More information about opportunities for student involvement and student projects is coming soon.

To contact the webmaster for questions about the design and development of this site, please email: greenheart@u.washington.edu.

Greenheart News Coverage

Saving the GreenFor more information about Greenheart projects, please read the feature article “Saving the Green” from Pacific Northwest Magazine ( June 22, 2003). The challenges faced in the Greenheart region are clearly discussed and illustrated with excellent photos, and founder Robert Tibbs’s philosophy is discussed in more detail.

The Greenheart Project is Growing at Huxley Huxley College continues to host the non-profit Cascadia Pacific Center and its core ‘GreenHeart’ regional landscape strategies and its civic development project. The ‘GreenHeart’ project involves three universities of the emerging ‘Cascadia Pacific’ metroregion: The University of Washington, The University of British Columbia, and Western Washington University. Holland’s Wageningen University is also involved.

State Study Revives Idea of New Western Washington HighwayRead more about the State of Washington's proposal to expand upon the current highway system in the Greenheart region. Seattle Times, July 15, 2004. (Must register to view story.)

Director Plans to Preserve Cascadia Pacific Region If Robert Tibbs, director of the Cascadia Pacific Center, gets his wish, Skagit Valley and the Netherlands will have a lot more in common than just tulips.