Washington

McMAnsion

Zoning Changes Would Mean More Granny Flats and Fewer McMansions in Seattle

Is this a two-birds-with-one-stone situation?

May 30, 2019 - The Seattle Times

Washington State

Friday Funny: The Onion Gets Weird With Climate Politics

We really didn't see this one coming.

May 17, 2019 - The Onion

Seattle Apartments

Choosing Incentives Over Mandates for Minimum Urban Densities

Washington's House Bill 1923 is one of a number of bills under consideration this year on the West Coast that attempts to leverage the power of the state for the sake of new development.

May 17, 2019 - The Urbanist

Washington State

A Surprising Place for Climate Relocation: Washington State

The city of Hamilton in Skagit County, Washington showcases another kind of community at risk from the effects of climate change and considering relocation to higher ground.

May 14, 2019 - The Seattle Times

Seattle Redevelopment Site

Big Redevelopment Opportunity Pops Up in Seattle

This unique redevelopment opportunity is possible because the Washington National Guard plans to abandon a 25-acre property in Seattle, with a mandate to achieve the "highest public benefit" for taxpayers as a result of the redevelopment.

May 12, 2019 - KUOW

McMAnsion

Accessory Dwelling Units as Mansionization Control

One benefit of more accessory dwelling units (ADUs) could be less mansionization of oversized single-family homes.

May 10, 2019 - Curbed Seattle

JR Shinkansen

Cascadia High Speed Rail Authority Has its First Funding

The state of Washington has allocated funding from its 2019-2021 biennium transportation appropriations bill to study the creation of the Cascadia High Speed Rail Authority.

May 4, 2019 - The Urbanist

Broadway Bike Lane

If You Build It, They Will Ride (400% More)

A more than 400 percent increase in bike ridership following the opening of a protected bike lane on Second Avenue proves that Seattleites are more inclined to ride with safe facilities.

May 1, 2019 - Streetsblog USA

Sound Transit

Puget Sound Travel Survey Highlights What's Influencing Region’s Travelers

The 2017 survey shows that most people drive, but income and housing location also affect people’s options and choices.

April 28, 2019 - The Urbanist

Americans With Disabilities Act

'Project Sidewalk' Crowdsources ADA Compliance

A crowdsourcing app allows citizens to hold the public realm to higher standards of access and mobility.

April 27, 2019 - Crosscut

Pedestrian Infrastructure

A 'Curious' New Report on Pedestrian Behavior in Public Spaces

The Seattle Department of Transportation recently released its first-ever public life study.

April 22, 2019 - Streetblog USA

Seattle Brick Loft

Apartment Units Fill Fastest in Seattle

Demand for housing in and around Seattle is way up—so much so that the region led the entire country in the number of apartments it has filled so far this year.

April 21, 2019 - The Seattle Times

 Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park

The Case for Wildlife Crossings

If wildlife crossings seem to expensive to build with so many infrastructure needs around the country, consider the cost of not building safe passage for animals.

April 20, 2019 - National Geographic

Tacoma Bus Rapid Transit

'Hybrid' Bus Rapid Transit Design Preferred in Tacoma, Washington

A hybrid design (some protected lanes and some mixing with car traffic) is the preferred option for a planned bus rapid transit route on Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, Washington.

April 19, 2019 - The Urbanist

On-Demand Shuttle

On-Demand Shuttle Service Launches in Seattle

Residents in southeast Seattle and Tukwila can now make use of Via to Transit on-demand shuttle transit service.

April 17, 2019 - King County

City Kids

A Little Baby Boom in Seattle

There must be something in the water for the first time in decades in Seattle; there are suddenly many more children living in the city.

April 16, 2019 - The Seattle Times

Donald Trump

Trump Signs Two Executive Orders Limiting States' Authority Over Energy Pipelines

The Trump administration's "energy dominance" agenda depends, in part, on growing the energy distribution network, namely pipelines, rail facilities, and ports. However, states can use the Clean Water Act to block pipelines and coal terminals.

April 15, 2019 - InsideClimate News

Seattle, Washington

Budget Overruns Put the Brakes on Seattle's Bicycle Master Plan

After initial projects funded by the 2015 Move Seattle levy came in well over budget, the city of Seattle will now have extra pressure to choose impactful projects while reducing the scope of its Bicycle Master Plan.

April 12, 2019 - The Urbanist

State Capital of Utah

Finding Ways for States and Cities to Work Together to Solve the Housing Crisis

The National League of Cities has a new report surveying local tools for addressing the housing affordability crisis. State partnerships are included.

April 9, 2019 - Governing

Traffic

Will Manhattan's "Central Business District Tolling" Clear the Way for More Congestion Pricing?

Cordon pricing applied to Manhattan's Central Business District, approved by the state legislature on March 31 and signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on April 1, has the ability to be a game changer for other cities considering similar programs.

April 8, 2019 - The New York Times

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.

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.