Washington

Man riding LimeGlider green shared mobility pedal-less e-bike/scooter hybrid.

Seattle Lime Bike and Scooter Rides Jumped 61% in 2025 After Introduction of ‘LimeGlider’

Lime added a half-bike, half-scooter hybrid dubbed the LimeGlider to its Seattle fleet in May.

December 18, 2025 - GeekWire

Google street view of parking lot with cars in Spokane, Washington, Washington.

Spokane Could Tax Parking Lots 12% to Increase Development

A proposal before the city council would tax surface parking lots in an effort to boost infill development.

November 27, 2025 - The Spokesman-Review

Current Seattle mayor-elect Katie Wilson holding up a sign during a transit protest.

Co-founder of Seattle Transit Riders Union Wins Mayoral Bid

Katie Wilson, co-founder and general secretary of Seattle's Transit Riders Union, edged out incumbent Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell in one of the nation's closest races on Nov. 4 that took nine days before a winner could be declared.

November 20, 2025 - Governing

Construction crane against downtown Seattle skyline at sunset.

Pro-Housing Candidates Sweep Puget Sound Region

Growth advocates won multiple local seats around the Seattle area.

November 9, 2025 - The Urbanist

An African American gentlemen walking by the front sidewalk of suburban townhouse with cherry blossom. Colorful red siding duplex with blooming pink flower.

Seattle’s Zoning Reform Could Unlock a ‘Multiplex Boom’

A package of stackable density bonuses could make it easier for developers to build 12-plexes.

October 6, 2025 - The Urbanist

Rendering of row of colorful homes with pergola with purple flowers.

‘Fish-Friendly’ Washington Development Blends Affordability and Sustainability

A community land trust took on a difficult site in suburban Seattle — and ended up with a sustainable, diverse, mixed-ownership-form development that challenges multiple norms.

September 30, 2025 - Shelterforce Magazine

Man in tree cutting branch with chainsaw.

Seattle Conflict Between Trees and Housing Heats up

A 2023 update to Seattle’s tree ordinance has led to sharp increase in the number of trees being cut down for redevelopment, prompting advocates to call for better protection of the city’s tree canopy.

September 19, 2025 - Associated Press

White and blue Sound Transit light rail train on floating brige.

Floating Light Rail Bridge Crossing Marks Historic Moment for Seattle Transit

Once testing is complete, Sound Transit will open the world’s first light rail line that uses a floating bridge connecting downtown Seattle to the Eastside.

September 17, 2025 - KOMO News

Modern black building for Together Center in Redmond, Washington.

Washington Nonprofits Build Housing on Their own Offices

While affordable housing with some office space for nonprofits is relatively common, in Redmond, Washington, a group of human services organizations went the other way: they rebuilt their collective office space and added housing.

September 15, 2025 - Shelterforce Magazine

Man with two shepherd-type dogs crossing crosswalk in urban Seattle, Washington.

Now 20% Car-Free, Seattle's Population is Growing. Its Traffic is Not.

Since 2017, the number of cars in the city has stayed roughly the same, even as the population continues to grow.

September 9, 2025 - The Urbanist

White Seattle Sound Transit light rail train at platform inside covered station.

Seattle Mayor Addresses Soaring Light Rail Costs

As the cost for Sound Transit’s light rail expansion keeps growing, Mayor Bruce Harrell promised to streamline permitting and communication to ensure the project is finished sooner.

September 8, 2025 - KIRO Radio

People walking across crosswalk in downtown Spokane, Washington with enclosed glass skyway connecting two buildings in background.

Spokane Updates its Complete Streets Policy

Mayor Lisa Brown signed a revised version of the city’s Complete Streets framework that more closely aligns with state law and the city’s municipal code.

August 12, 2025 - KREM

Aerial view of mid-rise apartment buildings in Seattle.

Landlords Fined for First Time Under WA’s New Law Capping Rent Increases

For the first time, Washington’s attorney general has enforced the state’s new cap on rent hikes, fining eight landlords $2,000 each for violating the law.

August 11, 2025 - Washington State Standard

Downtown Seattle skyline on an overcast day.

Washington’s New Rent Cap Set Just Below 10% for 2026

Washington’s statewide cap on annual residential rent increases will be just shy of 10 percent next year, down slightly from its current level.

July 23, 2025 - Washington State Standard

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11, 2025 - Real Change

Aerial view of Spokane, Washington with river in foreground.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package

Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

July 8, 2025 - The Spokesman-Review

White Waymo autonomous car driving fast down city street with blurred background at night.

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.

June 16, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

View of downtown Seattle with construction cranes and cloudy sky as seen from top of Space Needle.

Seattle’s Upzoning Plan is Ambitious, Light on Details

The city passed a ‘bare-bones’ framework to comply with state housing laws that paves the way for more middle housing, but the debate over how and where to build is just getting started.

May 29, 2025 - The Urbanist

Aerial view of Shared Roof apartment building in Seattle with glass greenhouse on roof.

Seattle Families Build Their Dream Apartment Building From Scratch

A group of friends decided to buy land and finance the construction of a custom-built apartment building with unique apartment layouts and sizes and a wealth of shared amenities.

May 26, 2025 - Fast Company

Line of RVs being used as homes parked on street in Mountain View, California.

Seattle Safe Parking Site to Close, Relocate

A nonprofit leases lots during permitting stages to erect tiny homes and RV safe parking sites for unhoused residents. But the model means constant uncertainty and displacement.

May 25, 2025 - The Seattle 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.

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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.