The Riverfront Research Park (RRP) Project at the University of Oregon, located in Eugene Oregon, as a concept, was developed between the University and the City of Eugene in the early 1980's.  Its vision was grand for both its creators; to diversify and improve the economy of the metropolitan area while improving the research possibilities at the university.
 The Riverfront Research Park, by its original nature, is a community investment.   Its potential development has the capability to shift Eugene's future in many dramatic ways.  It would be a leader in the transformation of the city's economic base from one originally invested in natural resources to an information- based economy emphasizing clean -technologies; increased ties between businesses and the University through increased student and faculty "applied technologies" research; and profound ecological impacts- development itself, lost urban open space, increasing the built environment along the Willamette river, and more potential pollution in an already polluted area that would effect the river and the urban community's present and future quality of life.  All development that occurs in the community affects the environment which, historically in many cases, has led to an overall decreased quality of life for future generations.    As stated, this was a very bountiful project for the economy of Eugene and for the research at the University, but they are only two of an immense body of stakeholders, whose voices have spoken exclusively while not  taking into account the many other stakeholders who would be directly  and adversely affected.

Some Oregonians have begun to realize that our modern economic paradigm doesn't acknowledge that environmental preservation and conservation are necessary for continuing the current quality of life.   Historically, Oregonians were proud of the magnificent beauty their state had to offer, and were fearful that excessive use of natural resources and urban sprawl would ruin their quality of living.
Since 1967, the state of Oregon has expressed concern and had given the Willamette River and the Willamette River Greenway priority to be preserved.  By 1973, with the passing of Senate Bill 100, Oregon became the first state to make into policy, comprehensive statewide land use policy and planning goals.  Senate Bill 100, and the 19 land use goals were to increase local control in rural and urban development at the municipal and city levels, in order to slow down sprawl and environmentally destructive growth, and preserve the qualities of Oregon's natural environment.   Goal 15: Willamette River Greenway, of the statewide planning goals, was established to protect and enhance the Willamette River corridor for its future conservation.

Greenways, in and of themselves, are very innovative ways to preserve land and natural ecosystems in urban and rural environments.  They have been around for hundreds of years and have flourished in the U.S. throughout the 20th century.   The Greenway movement seeks to create and maintain inter-connected corridors of undeveloped and restored land throughout the nation.  With increasing urbanization and suburbanization sprawling out of control, greenways have been successful in keeping cities connected with their surrounding natural environment.

The Willamette Valley Greenway is a sacred get-away to many people from increasing urbanization and suburbanization.   Over the years there has been strong opposition to the development of the RRP.   Most strongly, students, faculty and community members have opposed the future development of the RRP north of the tracks, which divide the park, along the river within the Greenway.   Citizens have filed suit with Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA), and have filed petitions to halt greenway development.  Students have passed ballot measures opposed to development north of the tracks. Activists have protested with rallies and demonstrations.  The University and Student senates most recently have both passed resolutions against development north of the tracks.
Regional land use planning and the use of Greenway corridors, in many ways, are paradigmatic shifts in the way we live within and preserve the natural environment.   Land use is very comprehensive, with effects reaching to all paths of development and growth.  Greenways foster animal and plant diversity through the preservation of corridors of non-developed land.  They offer a sense of connectedness to our planet, and with that, a sense of place.  Greenway planning in Oregon is a means to move, on a regional level, towards ecologically sustainable planning, and ultimately, to a higher quality of life.   Eugene has the ability to preserve the ecological habitats within its urban boundaries without jeopardizing the state of its economy.   Eugene's economy has improved since the park's inception without the development of the RRP, and furthermore, preservation of undeveloped open space in urbanizing areas is one of greatest investments possible.

In this paper I will address the Riverfront Research Park, its history and development, and its impact to the stakeholders involved, in the context of land use planning, education and sustainability.  Chapter one gives a brief history of the formation of Oregon's land-use planning as it relates to the development of the Willamette River Greenway. Chapter two addresses Greenways, their function, and their importance to the future of the University of Oregon and Eugene.  Chapter three reviews the history of the RRP from its inception to its present state.  Chapter four reviews the history of the opposition to the devlopment of the RRP within the Willamette Greenway.  Chapter five addresses development of the Greenway and its long-term beneficial effects for the University of Oregon and for the City of Eugene in the context of Sustainability. Because, this is a current issue, connections need to made to tie planning, education, and inclusive decision- making processes together, to show flaws in land use planning and deficiencies in the completion of the RRP project.
Eugene has the ability to implement more structured policy and actions to move towards sustainable planning on a community scale, and the university has the resources, the access to knowledge, and the moral capacity to preserve the greenway.   We need to begin a more ecological paradigm shift in order to preserve the land and community for the future.