--- a/Allura/allura/model/project.py
+++ b/Allura/allura/model/project.py
@@ -89,6 +89,13 @@
             result.extend(child.children)
         result.sort(key=lambda x:x.fullpath)
         return result
+
+    @property
+    def type(self):
+        trove = self
+        while trove.trove_parent_id != 0:
+            trove = trove.parent_category
+        return trove.shortname
 
 class ProjectMapperExtension(MapperExtension):
     def after_insert(self, obj, st, sess):