Lamenting the gutting of historic buildings and leaving them a shell of their former selves.
Knute Berger wonders if Seattle's beauty is only skin deep in a recent post for Crosscut. According to Berger, "[e]fforts to preserve local 'character' while accommodating massive development have seen a revival of what’s called 'façadism' where old building exteriors are used as a kind of ground-level wrapping on new structures. Façadism is not a new phenomenon, but it’s booming in Seattle these days."
Berger points to the façadism trend as especially prevalent along the Pike-Pine corridor and in South Lake Union. Berger quotes Eugenia Woo, director of preservation for Historic Seattle, who states that "[f]açadism is NOT preservation." [Emphasis from the original.] Yet, according to Berger's analysis, the regulations written into the Pike-Pine Conservation Overlay District actively encourage façadism.
The article includes more detail about the politics surrounding preservation in Seattle and some examples of developments along the spectrum of façadism to preservation.
Read the full story: Seattle’s facadism fetish makes fools of history & progress
Seattle land ‘rematriated’ to Duwamish Tribe
Volunteer efforts transformed the space from a hazardous waste zone to a community gathering spot.
King County Metro adds 3,000 weekly bus trips, more connections to rail
King County Metro and Sound Transit are both making major adjustments to their bus networks to improve light rail connectivity across the region.
Commentary: Seattle's new transit wayfinding system is 'more confusing than clarifying'
Changes to Sound Transit signage could make it difficult to navigate the region's train system.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades
The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.
'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide
Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.
Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies
International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello