Washington

Washington

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.

May 1, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

View of Washington state capitol dome in Olympia, Washington at golden hour.

Washington Legislature Passes Rent Increase Cap

A bill that caps rent increases at 7 percent plus inflation is headed to the governor’s desk.

April 29, 2025 - Washington State Standard

Spiral ramp on exterior of parking garage in downtown Spokane, Washington.

Washington State Legislature Passes Parking Reform Bill

A bill that would limit parking requirements for new developments is headed to the governor’s desk.

April 24, 2025 - OPB

View of downtown Seattle with Space Needle and mountains in background

Seattle Voters Approve Social Housing Referendum

Voters approved a corporate tax to fund the city’s housing authority despite an opposition campaign funded by Amazon and Microsoft.

April 23, 2025 - Next City

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Two people on bikes riding down paved Burke-Gilman bike trail in King County, Washington on a sunny day.

Washington State Plans Ambitious ‘Cycle Highway’ Network

The state is directing funding to close gaps in its existing bike network and make long-distance trips more accessible.

April 8, 2025 - Momentum Magazine

People walking at Pike Place Market, Seattle.

Report: One-Fifth of Seattle Households Are Car-Free

According to one local writer, the city’s low rate of car ownership should encourage officials to support public transit and reduce parking minimums.

March 18, 2025 - Seattle Bike Blog

View of Central Park lake with people sitting on lakeside rocks and NYC high-rises in background.

Public Parks as Climate Resilience Tools

Designed with green infrastructure, parks can mitigate flooding, reduce urban heat, and enhance climate resilience, offering cost-effective solutions to environmental challenges while benefiting communities.

March 16, 2025 - Grist

Washington state capitol dome in Olympia, Washington.

Washington State May Cap Rent Increases at 7 Percent

House Bill 1217 was passed by the House and will move next to the state Senate.

March 13, 2025 - Washington State Standard

An adult man, stopped on a Seattle, Washington street corner, preparing for a rainy morning bike commute.

Seattle Recorded Zero Bike Deaths in 2024, per Early Data

The city halved the number of pedestrian deaths compared to 2021.

March 10, 2025 - Seattle Bike Blog

Seattle buses in line at a depot with Seattle skyline in background

Seattle to Reinstate Bus Fare Enforcement

After a COVID-era move to eliminate fare inspections on city buses, King County Metro is reinstating checks for fare evasion.

February 27, 2025 - The Seattle Times

Trees in bloom with pink flowers on a residential street in Seattle, Washington.

Opinion: Housing Versus Trees Is a False Choice; Swap Pavement for Trees Instead

Seattle’s goal to cover 30 percent of the city with tree canopy by 2037 doesn’t need to be sacrificed in favor of density. There’s a better way.

February 26, 2025 - The Urbanist

View of Seattle skyline on clear sunny day with Space Needle on left and Mount Rainier in the background.

Housing Measure Wins in Seattle Special Election

Voters approved a new tax that could bring in $50 million per year for social housing.

February 16, 2025 - King 5 News

ELderly woman wearing black helmet and blue puffy vest stands next to e-bike with white and brown dog in rear basket.

Washington State E-Bike Rebate Set to Launch in April

The state program will offer up to $1,200 to fund the purchase of electric bikes.

February 4, 2025 - The Bellingham Herald

Amtrak train with downtown Seattle in background.

Amtrak Cascades Line Breaks Ridership Record

The route linking Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC served nearly one million riders in 2024.

February 2, 2025 - Daily Hive

Homes in rural area with snowy Mt. Rainier in background in Washington state.

Washington State Bills Would Boost Housing in Rural Areas

Several proposed laws could make way for more housing development outside the state’s major city centers.

January 29, 2025 - Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

View of trainsin Hundson Yards and New York City skyline.

Can We Resist Displacement From Transit-Oriented Development?

Transit stations increase nearby jobs and populations, but they could also contribute to displacement. What can we do differently?

January 26, 2025 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial view of Olympia, Washington with state cpaitol dome in foreground on a somewhat cloudy day.

Washington Lawmakers Eye Rent Stabilization

Democrats are pushing for a statewide rent stabilization bill that would give renters some protections while offering more flexibility for landlords than blanket rent control policies.

January 14, 2025 - The Urbanist

View of small town Benton in Washington State from Horse Heaven Hills.

Washington Tribes Oppose Wind Project

Tribal communities claim that a major wind energy project threatens sensitive cultural and environmental resources.

December 26, 2024 - High Country News

Railroad crossing sign next to tracks along rocky coast in Oregon.

Cascadia HSR Awarded Planning Grant

The $49.7 million federal grant will allow WSDOT to move forward with public outreach and planning work.

December 19, 2024 - Big Country News

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.