Washington

Seattle

Seattle Could Upzone its Way to Affordability

Seattle is considering a proposal to upzone some of the densest parts of the city as part of its Mandatory Housing Affordability program.

October 3, 2016 - The Seattle Times

Oakland

Planetizen Week in Review: September 24, 2016

More than one city made big planning news this week. You only need two minutes and thirty seconds to find out more.

September 24, 2016 - Planetizen

Culvert

Court Ruling Mandates Culvert Improvements in Washington

In the state of Washington, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals delivered what some are calling the "most important ruling on treaty fishing rights since 1974."

September 20, 2016 - Crosscut

Why Don't Environmentalists Support Washington's Carbon Tax Measure?

A largely revenue-neutral carbon tax proposal, similar to the carbon tax in British Columbia which began in 2008, qualified for the November ballot in Washington. Environmentalists and Democrats, not Big Oil, may cause it's defeat.

September 19, 2016 - Crosscut

Washington Adopts 'First-of-its-Kind' Carbon Reduction Rule

The state's unique Clean Air Rule is called 'cap-and-reduce.' Businesses that fall under the cap are required to reduce emissions, just like California's cap-and-trade program. However, they can not be forced to purchase carbon credits.

September 18, 2016 - Crosscut

Spotlighting the Women Shaping Seattle

The Urbanist is publishing a series of articles focusing on the leadership of women is shaping the past, present, and future of Seattle.

September 17, 2016 - The Urbanist

20's Plenty

Sweeping Speed Limit Reductions Proposed for Seattle's Streets

Two Seattle councilmembers are proposing a large, necessary step toward slowing drivers enough to eliminate traffic deaths in the city.

September 15, 2016 - The Urbanist

Seattle

Roads Not Taken: Reimagining a Different Seattle

In 1851 the City of Seattle could have been a vastly different place if alternative development decisions had been made that took the original inhabitants, nature, and topography into consideration.

September 14, 2016 - Crosscut

Seattle Homeless

Seattle's 'Pathway Home' Initiative Seeks Housing First Strategy for Homeless

'Housing first' has become a policy buzzword of sorts to describe an approach to homeless services. A pair of new reports on the homelessness situation in Seattle finds consensus on the need for a housing first policy.

September 11, 2016 - Capitol Hill Seattle Blog

Gas Pump

Wouldn't It be Nice if Legislators Were Rewarded for Voting to Increase the Gas Tax?

Surprisingly, legislators are rewarded for supporting new gas taxes: they get reelected, according to a new analysis by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association. What's more, they overwhelmingly hail from red states.

September 9, 2016 - The Hill

Over $14 Million Awarded to Eight Projects to Find Alternatives to Gas Taxes

The U.S. Department of Transportation is funding ways to transition from the gas tax to other user-based revenue mechanisms to fund transportation infrastructure. The federal gas tax hasn't keep pace with transportation expenditures since 2008.

September 6, 2016 - U.S. D.O.T. Press Release

Voting

This November, Four Major Transportation Measures at Stake

If you live in Detroit, Atlanta, Seattle, or Los Angeles, you have more to look forward to in November than choosing Donald or Hillary. Major decisions concerning regional transportation are on the line.

August 31, 2016 - Governing

Seattle

Critiquing the Implementation of Seattle's Pedestrian Master Plan

A status update of the Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan leaves a writer wondering if the backlog of pedestrian infrastructure maintenance will grow while only a few planned projects get built.

August 23, 2016 - The Urbanist

Seattle

Reviewing Potential Amendments to the Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan

The Seattle City Council is currently considering the Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan. The plan could change significantly from Mayor Ed Murray's proposed draft to the final, approved version.

August 17, 2016 - The Urbanist

Seattle Transit

Light Rail Ridership Takes Off in Seattle After Expansion

Besting all expectations, ridership numbers have increased 83 percent since Seattle's Sound Transit light rail system added two new stations, connecting downtown to the city's Capitol Hill neighborhood and the University of Washington.

August 14, 2016 - Next City

Seattle

Debating Seattle's Growth

There's plenty to talk about in a city where rents have increased by 51 percent since 2010.

August 12, 2016 - Publicola

Seattle Waterfront Condos

Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning Gets Committee Approval in Seattle

A key component of the city of Seattle's Housing Affordability and and Livability Agenda moved forward earlier this week.

August 6, 2016 - KUOW

Proposed Water Pollution Rules Await Federal Approval in Washington State

A long and contentious battle, including threats fro the U.S. Environmental protection Agency, could soon find resolution.

August 5, 2016 - The Daily News

Seattle Light Rail Construction

Details of the Seattle's Big ST3 Light Rail Plan

The $54 billion ST3 plan would add 62 miles of light rail over 25 years.

August 5, 2016 - Seattle Transit Blog

Architect Declares the End of Micro-Housing in Seattle

Though housing advocates consider micro-housing units a helpful tool in keeping housing affordable, the city of Seattle has nonetheless produced a series of regulations making such projects harder and harder to build.

July 24, 2016 - Neiman Taber

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.