Student Profile

Metro allocates hundreds of millions of dollars in federal transportation funds every year, but is the region investing in the most vital transportation projects? Are individual projects done in a coordinated way that contributes to an integrated land use and transportation system? Performance measurement is key in answering these questions. Once implemented, measurements can help planners at Metro monitor the effectiveness and progress of the region's transportation investments. Working closely with Metro staff in an internship, I assisted in developing indicators, researched the experiences of other regions and local partners, discussed potential pitfalls and applications, and recommended best practices for implementation. I saw firsthand how broad goals such as vibrant communities can be translated into policy, and policy into measurable outcomes. By analyzing Metro’s regional programming, I saw the effects of state and federal planning policy on the ground, and learned how to create a project that can provide useful feedback not only for Metro but also for federal, state, and local partners. Performance measurement is a small but important piece of the puzzle. Once in place, it can ensure that the Portland region is investing limited transportation funds in the most effective way.
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B.S. URS 2013

mwl49@cornell.edu

Martin Leung attributes his interest in planning and development to his diverse upbringing in Hong Kong and rural Oregon, where he experienced drastic differences in urban form and lifestyle. Since joining the City and Regional Planning department, he has been able to explore his interests in land use, transportation, and real estate with engaging, accessible professors and challenging academic projects.

Martin has worked with Metro in Portland, Oregon, to develop performance measurements for regional transportation investments. As part of DesignConnect, he has consulted with communities on main street revitalization and the mixed-use redevelopment of a regional mall. As co-president of Big Red Bikes, he led a dedicated team of students who launched and expanded Cornell's new bike sharing program. In the past, he has served as a member of the Campus Infrastructure Committee and as the faculty-dean liaison for the Organization of Urban and Regional Studies.

After graduating from Cornell, Martin hopes to pursue a career that contributes to the long-term sustainability of cities and feels that CRP has fully prepared him for such a challenge