The Urban Willamette Project covers the area the River travels, from Willamette Falls in Oregon City to the Columbia River, which divides the states of Oregon and Washington. The Willamette is one of the few rivers in the world that flows from south to north.
General urban life, including homes, industrial sites, warehouses, harbors, maritime businesses and freightyards, freeways, office complexes and parks share the area with the river.
The strong, continuing impact of the image of the river creates a rich vocabulary for those who live or work in, or commute to Portland, acting as a key part of the impression of the city. It becomes a major element in defining the City's sense of place.