Portland, ORE. — The City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability has hired Patricia Diefenderfer as its new chief planner. Critical duties for this position include leading the bureau’s comprehensive land use, neighborhood, district, economic, historic, and environmental planning and urban design.
Diefenderfer joins BPS with more than 22 years of municipal planning experience, including current and long-range planning, neighborhood and downtown planning, transit-oriented district planning, transportation and streetscape planning, historic preservation, and community development.
In her new role as Chief Planner, Diefenderfer will direct the development and implementation of urban planning, design strategies, and equitable community development policies and programs. Diefenderfer has extensive experience leading teams on wide-ranging efforts in two of the country's most diverse cities: Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif. Additionally, her values are aligned with the City’s core values of anti-racism, equity, transparency and communication, and represent the way in which she has approached her work as a planner.
“The City of Portland is at an important juncture in its growth and development and in its pursuit of being an affordable, equitable, and livable city, in which people of all races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds have the same access to quality neighborhoods and opportunities,” stated Diefenderfer. “I look forward to helping lead the City in this next important chapter.”
“Patricia is a skilled people manager and team builder,” said BPS Director Andrea Durbin. “Her extensive planning experience, especially in highly diverse communities, will help guide equitable policies and programs, ensuring a livable city for all current and future Portlanders.”
“The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability is laying the groundwork for making Portland more equitable and resilient,” stated Commissioner Carmen Rubio. “I know that Patricia will be a partner in that future-oriented work, and I look forward to working with her in the months and years to come.”
Diefenderfer’s first day with BPS is Wednesday, April 27, 2022.
BPS worked with Motus Recruiting and Staffing to conduct a national recruitment for this position and appreciates their support.
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