Carol Mayer-Reed examines Portland’s lively food cart culture and its relationship to urban vitality in “Portland’s Street Food Phenomenon,” published in the May issue of ASLA’s blog, The Dirt. “The carts, which also form food cart pods, make a positive, colorful contribution to the city’s sense of livability, promote social interaction, and support small businesses. After all, the presence of people gathering in places attracts more people.”