The city of Bellevue, Washington has adopted new zoning and land use standards as part of an ongoing Downtown Livability Initiative.
"Bellevue has been chugging away on a Downtown Livability Initiative for its business, retail, and housing core over the past four years," reports Stephen Fesler. The process began in 2013 with a Citizens Advisory Committee and ended recently when the city adopted a set of final land use code changes.
The changes include "a broad spectrum of recommendations related to public open space, design guidelines, public amenities, pedestrian environment, building form, and parking," explains Fesler, who proceeds to detail some of the new standard's wonky approaches to livability. So, if you're interested in how regulating tower floorplates and upper level stepbacks could have an effect on the livability of a downtown area, this is the article for you.
There are also sections on sidewalk widths, street trees, and public realm quality if that's more your speed.
FULL STORY: Bellevue Adopts New Downtown Livability Standards
A Small Town Makes its First Zoning Update Since 1997
Mixed-use development and a floodplain overlay are the big-ticket items when the small community of Akron Borough in Pennsylvania recently updated its zoning code.
Pittsburgh Moves Ahead With Zoning Changes for University-Adjacent Neighborhood
The implementation of a new master plan for the neighborhood of Oakland, home to the University of Pittsburgh, is moving forward despite controversy and a contentious community engagement process.
Planning Trends to Watch in 2023
The days and weeks since the arrival of Covid-19 have been filled with so much noise about the future, it’s been difficult to distinguish between big stories and frivolous distractions. Planetizen is here to help.
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)