A Crowded Future for the Pacific Northwest

Population growth estimates foresee the equivalent of an additional 15 Seattles concentrating in the Pacific Northwest over the next one hundred years. How the region handles this growth is up for debate, but with a distinct sense of urgency.

1 minute read

February 24, 2009, 10:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"If you look at projections for the Pacific Northwest, through the 21st century, a population equivalent to 15 Seattles will move into this 'livable' corner of the planet."

"So as not to wreck the West, however, an expanding population must live largely within its present footprint. We can't bulldoze rural land forever, while burning ever more gasoline to get to work."

"But nobody dictates to Americans. We get our backs up when told to 'do what's good for you.'"

"The marketplace is where efforts to channel growth will succeed or fail."

Monday, February 23, 2009 in The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

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