Washington
Seattle Could End Restrictions on Co-Living
Current regulations prohibit ‘congregate housing’ in many parts of the city.
Sound Transit’s $3 Billion Lynnwood Link Extension Opens
After five years, Sound Transit’s light rail connection linking south Snohomish County to downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport is now open.
Burien Church Sues City Over Housing
A church in the small town of Burien that offers shelter to some 100 unhoused people came in conflict with city officials over permitting.
Spokane Could Eliminate Parking Minimums Near Transit
A Washington state proposal to reduce parking minimums failed in the state legislature earlier this year.
ACLU Sues Washington State for Anti-Camping Laws
In the first legal challenges since June’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that cities can enforce outdoor sleeping bans, the ACLU filed a lawsuit alleging Washington’s anti-camping laws violate the state constitution.
Seattle Sees Strong Bike Share, Scooter Ridership
The city’s shared bikes and e-scooters provided half as many trips as a $2 billion tunnel.
King County to Sunset Public Restroom Program
The agency cites the high cost of the program and a county code that bars restroom facilities from transit centers as reasons for ending the six-month pilot.
Seattle Law Eases Office Conversions
Despite city and state incentives, officials expect the program will result in a modest number of new housing units.
Spokane City Council Calls for ‘Safe Streets Now!’
The Washington city approved a resolution aimed at improving pedestrian safety.
Spokane Launches Safe Streets Initiative
The Washington city received a $9.6 million federal grant to fund quick-build traffic calming and bike and pedestrian infrastructure projects.
Top 5 US Cities for Office-to-Residential Conversions
As more and more cities look to adapt vacant office buildings into homes, a new analysis from Urban Institute says some cities will benefit more than others.
Sound Transit Adds ‘Fare Ambassadors’ to Enforce Payment
Riders found without proof of payment will have options to pay rather than receive a citation.
Snohomish County Transit System Adds New BRT Line in Major Restructuring
The Community Transit network is making a slew of changes, including several new bus rapid transit lines.
Spokane Imposes Temporary Ban on New Subdivision Housing Due to Wildfire Risk
Citing inadequate fire protection and public safety resources, the Spokane City Council has temporarily halted subdivision development in the wildland-urban interface of Latah Valley.
Is 'Hacking' a Planning Commission a Good Idea?
Does giving short shrift to grassroots tradition cut against the dynamics of community-based decision-making?
Seattle Mayor Raises Transportation Levy by $100 Million
The proposal sent to City Council includes more funding for multimodal transportation and road safety.
A Cutting-Edge Planning Hackathon in Seattle
In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe covers an atypical urban planning and policy gathering called an “Urban Resilience Hackathon,” which was held at the University of Washington in Seattle late last month. For a day, the event showcased collaborative problem solving and innovative thinking in addressing urban challenges.
Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises
Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.
Seattle Downtown Plan Expands Permitted Uses
The Downtown Activation Plan shifts from Euclidean to form-based zoning to encourage more commercial development.
Seattle Road Safety Advocates Say Transportation Levy Perpetuates Car-Centric Status Quo
Critics of a proposed $1.3 billion transportation levy say the package isn’t enough to keep up with inflation and rising costs and fails to support a shift away from car-oriented infrastructure.
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.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
