Mobycon Lands in Portland: A Peek Inside Our Newest Office

The word is out! We’ve opened a new office in Portland, Oregon! Mobycon started nearly 40 years ago with our first projects in the Netherlands, and this year marks a decade since we expanded into North America. With our office in Ottawa, Canada, it’s time to open our second U.S. office in Portland, replacing our previous location in Durham, North Carolina.

With representatives across Canada, the East Coast, and now the West Coast (we recently welcomed our newest team member Jamie Arnau), we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

To celebrate our new Portland office, we sat down with our team members Nick Falbo and Jamie Arnau to hear more about their plans and the skills they bring to the team.

So tell us, what skills or expertise do you bring to the team that you’re most excited to share? 

Jamie: I am passionate about making complex or innovative transportation topics easy to understand and visually engaging for the public. I’m excited to bring my graphic design and visual communications skills to the team, mainly using my expertise to enhance community and stakeholder engagement.

Nick: I have a background in visual design and animation and know many ways to tell a story. Now more than ever, communities in the United States need a positive vision of the future. We can help tell that vision through photos, graphics, animations, and more.

Jamie: “It’s all about challenging the norm, thinking critically, and embracing new, unconventional ideas.”

Jamie, how does Portland’s unique culture or vibe inspire your work?

Portland’s motto, “Keep Portland Weird,” really resonates with me. It’s all about challenging the norm, thinking critically, and embracing new, unconventional ideas. That’s how I approach my work—constantly looking for ways to grow, evolve, and learn outside of traditional frameworks. The city’s vibe encourages creativity and individuality, which directly influences how I approach planning. I’m inspired to think beyond the expected, to push boundaries, and to find innovative solutions. 

Additionally, Portland has a laid-back, friendly atmosphere, and I strive to bring that same approachable energy into my interactions with colleagues and clients.  

Nick, how does Portland’s approach to network design align with our Dutch-inspired solutions? 

The City of Portland and region is a leader in U.S. planning. Our office follows Dutch practices for network design when evaluating and recommendations for other cities. This includes maintaining a strong hierarchy to offer a clear role to the network for each mode. In addition, we recommend creating a separation of modes where possible, and context specific street design when not.

Jamie, what kind of projects are you most looking forward to tackling in this new space? 

I’m excited to work on our MobyCoach program and provide on-call support to our clients. Through this program, we can offer timely advice on projects and challenges and insights from a Dutch perspective, all tailored to their local needs. It’s a unique opportunity for our U.S. clients to give their staff of planners, designers, and engineers access to a wealth of expertise the Mobycon team has to offer. I’m excited to collaborate with clients who are passionate about Dutch innovation and to work alongside my colleagues to help them with any questions they have or overcome any challenges they may face.   

Nick, how do you see the Portland office helping to shape the future of our company? 

The Portland office is Mobycon’s anchor in the United States and expands our reach into the west-coast region and Pacific time zone. Operating in Portland is a perfect home base for us to reach the U.S. and Western Canada from a place known for progressive transportation and land use planning.  

Jamie and Nick, what’s the first thing you’d recommend to someone visiting Portland for the first time? 

Jamie: My first advice for anyone visiting Portland is simple: don’t rent a car! The city has an excellent public transit system, so taking the train from the airport into downtown is a great way to get a feel for the city right away. Once in the city, hop on a shared e-bike or e-scooter and explore! From the iconic food trucks to the beautiful urban forests, there’s so much to discover in Portland’s many vibrant neighborhoods without needing a car. 

Nick: Come for the summer and join in on Pedalpalooza, our summer-long bike-fun festival. Locals organize community-led rides of all types to build community and have fun.

Want to learn more about our services and what we’re up to? Follow us on Social Media for the latest updates, insights, and projects. If you find yourself in Portland, don’t hesitate to walk by and say hi! We’d love to chat and show you how we can help.