Seattle Going Global

Seattle seems to be on its ways to becoming a successful world city, according to a private consultant's list of the global trends that make cities great.

1 minute read

February 11, 2008, 7:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"Business leaders gained a glimpse of those trends -- economist-inspired insights into how global forces are already affecting downtown Seattle -- on Thursday morning at a State of Downtown economic forum.

Economists and researchers at Denver consulting firm Progressive Urban Management Associates have identified 10 global trends that affect downtown cores. Economist and company president Brad Segal presented the findings Thursday, along with data specific to Seattle."

Among the points:

"The cities of the future will be teeming with well-educated young women. They increasingly outnumber men in college enrollment and will form a majority of the work force by 2010. Seattle ranks fifth nationally in the number of college-educated young women."

"Cities will appeal by giving those women fun things to do. "Women tend to recreate more than men," Segal said."

"The cities with an advantage will be ones with strong public transportation systems. Transportation is Seattle's biggest vulnerability, Segal said."

"For Seattle commuters, an average annual delay of 12 hours in 1982 increased to 45 hours in 2005."

Thursday, February 7, 2008 in The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

portrait of professional woman

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 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 Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

7 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

4 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

5 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

6 hours ago - Next City