Eugene's Equity Atlas Charts a Path Toward More Inclusive Planning

Historic photo of Eugene looking south from Skinner’s Butte down Willamette Street

The Planning Division is proud to announce the launch of its Equity Atlas: Selected Stories in Eugene’s History of Displacement—a research effort that documents how historic land use decisions have shaped today’s patterns of land use and housing access. Developed with funding from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, the Atlas responds to a statewide requirement for Oregon cities to pursue equity-informed planning. It draws from historical research and community input to share stories of how state and federal legislation, exclusionary zoning, and displacement have impacted Eugene’s marginalized communities over time.

The Equity Atlas is meant to serve as more than just a historical record—it’s the beginning of a process to understand past harms and inform more equitable planning practices and policies moving forward through the Urban Growth Strategies project. At the August 12, 2025 Planning Commission meeting, commissioners affirmed this research as a foundational tool for shaping Eugene’s Contextualized Housing Need, Housing Capacity Analysis, and Housing Production Strategy. These planning efforts will guide how and where Eugene grows, ensuring that future land use decisions address past harms and promote more equitable outcomes. This research is also being integrated into the Envision Eugene Comprehensive Plan, embedding equity into the city’s long-range vision for housing, land use, and community well-being.

Explore the Equity Atlas StoryMap to learn how Eugene’s past is informing a more equitable future.