Developing A New Vision For Seattle's Green Infrastructure

A recent column calls on the city’s residents to come together to develop a 100-year plan to keep the 'Emerald City' green and livable.

1 minute read

August 16, 2006, 12:00 PM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


A recent column in the Seattle Times calls for a new vision of Seattle's green infrastructure that is integrated, ecologically-sensitive, balances density and community, and provides accessibility for multiple user groups. The authors lay out a three point plan for achieving the goals detailed in their vision.

"Widening our lens beyond parks and playgrounds, we can craft an integrated system of 'green infrastructure' that will serve us as we creatively confront a future of rising obesity rates, global climate change, increased density and constantly stressed natural systems. By taking the bold step of viewing our streams, shorelines, wetlands, bikeways, parks and urban forests as not just amenities, but as providers of essential, life-sustaining services, we can create connected open spaces that will efficiently and economically accommodate a dense, livable and, ultimately, sustainable city."

Thanks to Brice Maryman

Saturday, August 12, 2006 in The Seattle Times

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

People walking by a brick school in Cambridge.

After public outcry, Massachusetts city releases housing development tracker

Cambridge’s tracker currently shows 250 housing projects in various stages of development.

15 minutes ago - Smart Cities Dive

A rendering of the park, with green grass and a bass sculpture that looks like several tall arches in a row.

40 years after approval, Chicago breaks ground on new park

The park honors Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the city’s first permanent non-native settler.

1 hour ago - Block Club Chicago

the New Mexico State capital building, made of orange clay

‘Hoodwinked:’ New Mexico bill aimed at microgrids paves way for data center development

In an interview with High Country News, Padilla said the legislation “ignited” New Mexico's economy.

2 hours ago - High Country News