Washington

Seattle

Regional Planning for Growth on Display in the Pacific Northwest

The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) released a new "Regional Centers Framework."

April 16, 2018 - The Urbanist

Seattle Sound Transit

How Much Parking Near Transit Is Too Much Parking Near Transit?

Faced with the expensive costs of adding park and ride facilities along its expanding transit system, transportation planners in the Seattle region wonder if it's money well spent.

April 15, 2018 - Crosscut

Washington

Seattle's Climate Action Plan Hits the Streets

The potential for congestion pricing is only one component of a new Climate Action Plan that focuses on transportation's role in emitting greenhouse gases.

April 10, 2018 - Smart Cities Dive

Puget Sound

Seattle's 'First-in-Time' Renter Protection Struck Down by Judge

A King County Superior Court judge recently struck down the city of Seattle's first-in-time rental regulation, in a decision that will likely be appealed.

April 9, 2018 - The Urbanist

Seattle, Washington

Seattle to Consider Congestion Pricing

Seattle has been putting its money where its mouth is with policies to discourage driving.

April 6, 2018 - The Seattle Times

On-Street Parking

Citywide Parking Requirement Reform Passes in Seattle

The U.S. city with the best recent history of convincing commuters to ditch the auto commute is taking further steps to make the city a little less car-centric.

April 3, 2018 - SeattleMet

Virginia Freeway

Popularity of Express Lanes Spreads Beyond Virginia

Dan Vock of Governing takes a broad look at congestion pricing, beginning with the success of Virginia's 66 Express Lanes, the ones where tolls initially topped $40. Notwithstanding complaints, managed lanes are spreading, but challenges remain.

April 3, 2018 - Governing

Seattle Stadiums

A Baseball Ticket Counts as a Train Ticket in Seattle

It's Opening Day for Major League Baseball, and fans of the Seattle Mariners have an extra reason to celebrate this year.

March 29, 2018 - Curbed Seattle

Seattle Apartments

Pressing Pause on 'Rent Bidding' Apps

Several new apps allow landlords to place available units out to bid. The city of Seattle is concerned the apps might exacerbate prices in an already expensive rental market.

March 28, 2018 - Smart Cities Dive

Single-Family Neighborhood

Upzoning of Seattle's Single-Family Zoning Called a 'Disappointing Half-Measure'

A critical analysis of a proposal that would incrementally increase density in parts of Seattle.

March 28, 2018 - Sightline Institute

Pacific NW States to Study Regional High-Speed Rail

The proposal promises a one-hour commute between Vancouver and Seattle.

March 25, 2018 - The Urbanist

South Lake Union

Opinion: Ban Cars From South Lake Union in Seattle

A Seattle Times columnist says it's time to ban cars from the congested and dangerous South Lake Union street.

March 22, 2018 - The Seattle Times

Broadway Bike Lane

A 'Redlining' Bike Tour

All it takes a map, a bike, and a desire to learn the history of racial segregation in the United States.

March 20, 2018 - KUOW

Olympia, Washington

Washington State Passes a Package of Transportation Bills

Importantly, the Washington State Legislature also left a few bills on the cutting room floor.

March 16, 2018 - The Urbanist

Issaquah Alps

A Shuttle Ride to the Trailhead

A pilot program by King County Metro and the King County Parks Department in the state of Washington found success in 2017, and is spending the beginning of 2018 looking at options to expand.

March 15, 2018 - Washington Trail Association

Homeless Cars

A Man's Truck Is His Palace?

In a move to grant further autonomy and rights to the homeless population of Seattle, a court found in favor of a man who argued his truck was his home and should not have been towed after he didn't move for 72 hours.

March 8, 2018 - The Seattle Times

Ballot Initiative Launched After Gov. Jay Inslee Withdraws Carbon Tax Bill

Environmental, labor, and community groups in Washington State filed an initiative for placement of a carbon fee on the November ballot. Unlike a similar measure in 2016, revenues would be used to mitigate emissions.

March 6, 2018 - knkx

Cascadia Rail Would Build High-Speed Rail for the Pacific Northwest

A proposal to connect Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland via high-speed rail service went public this month.

February 28, 2018 - Seattle Transit Blog

Brick Apartments

Affordable Housing Stock and Earthquake Risk

The city of Seattle needs more affordable housing, like most cities. It also has almost 2,000 existing affordable units at "high risk" in the event of an earthquake.

February 27, 2018 - Crosscut

South Lake Union

Faced With Rapid Growth, Seattle's South Lake Union Revamps its Design Guidelines

A popular and changing neighborhood in Seattle has recommitted itself to urban design.

February 26, 2018 - The Urbanist

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.