[Changes in Portland, Ore. bureaus by the mayor-elect reflect a commitment to sustainability as a guiding principle in planning decisions, not an add-on. It also comes after a few years of insider discussion about the need to have "sustainability" permeate the city government's regular activities, and not just be cordoned off in its own department.

This is an EXCERPT: read the whole article here. -Ed.]

Portland Mayor-elect Sam Adams today will announce significant changes to the city's bureaucracy as well as new responsibilities for his City Council colleagues that he hopes will make government more efficient and accountable.

A new Bureau of Sustainable Planning & Development will merge the Office of Sustainable Development and the Bureau of Planning. Adams said it is meant to ensure that sustainability principles are at the core of everything the city plans and builds. The council's long-term plan is to position Portland as the global epicenter of sustainable practices and commerce.

The new bureau will be headed by Susan Anderson, former head of the Office of Sustainable Development. Planning Bureau Director Gil Kelley has been offered a severance package, Adams said.

Photo credit: Stuart Seeger