Planners in Seattle want to add housing to Little Saigon, a neighborhood with a strong Vietnamese culture, without disrupting the district's character or displacing residents.
"The central Seattle neighborhood of Little Saigon is best known for its strong cultural identity and its cluster of Vietnamese groceries, restaurants and other family-owned businesses.
But city planners also know the community east of the International District for its mostly untapped potential for new housing.
That room to grow has officials plotting major change for Little Saigon. Seattle's planning department wants to bring condos and apartments to the business-oriented, close-to-downtown neighborhood surrounded by the Central District, Rainier Valley and Chinatown. A proposal for new zoning could be before the City Council as soon as late this year.
Backers say the new rules would bring vibrancy to the neighborhood while making much-needed room for more Seattle residents. They see today's long blocks of gray, low-slung buildings, vacant parcels and surface parking lots there making way for tree-lined streets and pedestrian-friendly walkways featuring bright storefronts and housing."
FULL STORY: Would changes revitalize or swallow Little Saigon?

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.

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

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions