By Sarah Iannarone

Even though Portland's population increase has tapered off slightly, accommodating growth remains our most vexing challenge. In the next two decades, a quarter of a million people will move to Portland and another half to three-quarters of a million to the greater region.

Considered alongside budgetary constraints in Salem and political uncertainty in Washington, D.C., it's clear we are going to be hard pressed -- and on our own -- to address problems such as our housing shortage, traffic congestion, social inequality, air and water quality, and the impacts of climate change.

Portland has a reputation for resisting the national zeitgeist to forge its own path. Forty years ago, when other locales were expanding highways, we invested in transit. When they were devouring landscapes with sprawl, we implemented 'Smart Growth' policies like the urban growth boundary, conserving precious wilderness and agricultural lands. While other cities saw a dramatic decline in civic society, our engagement was robust.

Despite this history, I'm not optimistic about our ability to solve our problems or achieve the sustainable future we've planned. Throughout 2017, I've become increasingly disheartened by the decline of civil discourse in Portland. In a period of prosperity, when our reputation suggests we'd be working together to ensure livability for working-class and at-risk people, Portland's public sphere is increasingly acrimonious and divisive. Some might see this as local manifestation of a so-called culture war between left and right, or a class war between haves and have nots. But in a place as relatively homogenous as ours, I'm not buying it.

My diagnosis for Portland? We've got a serious case of NIMBY-itis.

That's the acronym for "Not in my backyard," which is shorthand for, "I think that (increased density, equity initiative, congestion pricing, etc) is a great idea, as long as it doesn't inconvenience me."

If we successfully navigated prevailing winds 40 years ago, shouldn't we be able to do it again? I believe so, but only if we stop acting like selfish, entitled NIMBYs. Portlanders across the political and economic spectrum have forgotten that healthy civic society is a collective effort demanding personal sacrifice. In recent years, demographic shifts, cost of living increases and leadership focused more on economic development than community building left our civic muscles atrophied when we need them most.

How do we shape up? When an apartment complex without parking is built next door, instead of complaining, figure out how to get by with one -- or no -- car. Instead of lamenting a loss of neighborhood character with zoning changes, ask how increasing density and diversity could make your place better for everyone. Vote "yes" to increase taxes. When a homeless shelter is proposed nearby, instead of protesting to shut it down, have meetings about how to ensure it succeeds. Spend less time arguing on social media and more time talking face to face. Most important, when you meet someone new always ask, "How can I help you get involved in our community?"

My prescription might sound parochial, even Pollyannaish. But there's an urgency to the problems we face. We must unify around clearly expressed, easy to measure goals in the short term. Portland's long-term prosperity will be rooted less in policy reforms or infrastructure investments than in the cohesiveness of our society.

Our New Year's resolution should be to exorcize our NIMBY reflexes -- we all have them -- and redouble our efforts in 2018 to increase connectivity and trust within and across our communities.

Sarah Iannarone is associate director of First Stop Portland, a study tour program at Portland State University. She ran for Portland mayor in 2016.