While some have pigeonholed him as anti-business, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn is taking the city through the recovery of the economy in a positive but potentially hard-to-swallow way, according to this column.
This column from The Seattle Times argues that McGinn's priorities are focused on the long-term economic and environmental health of the city.
"Mayor McGinn thinks about the economy in sophisticated, holistic terms. He understands that discontinuity is our future - the next 25 years are not going to be a replay of the past quarter century. And, most of all, he understands that two of the greatest challenges ahead are a high-cost energy future and either addressing climate change or paying the price for inaction.
Thus, the notion of strong, walkable neighborhoods with good schools, connected by transit to a vibrant downtown, is not a throwaway line or a luxury - it's key to economic health. This dovetails with the green-building challenge and retrofitting charming districts with broadband and other advanced infrastructure."
FULL STORY: McGinn: Promise and peril of 'Great Reset' mayor
Welcome to a New Era of Planning: the APA National Conference Draws a Crowd
The American Planning Association's 2015 National Conference has launched in Seattle, with more attendees than any event since before the recession.
A Chatbot Talks Regeneration and Recovery for Seattle
In his recent analysis of trends to watch for 2023, Managing Editor James Brasuell noted how ChatGPT might replace all the writers of Planetizen, and more. Chuck Wolfe decided to take literally Brasuell's “don't let it sneak up on you” admonition.
The Scary State of U.S. Municipal Finances
Analysis by The Wall Street Journal shows that even as other sectors of the economy fight their way back from the Great Recession, municipal finances lag far behind.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)