Washington
Elevating the ‘Small Stuff’ in Urban Design
Chuck Wolfe recaps arguments in favor of increased attention to incidentals — from benches to bollards — in urban development practices.
Washington State Legislates Statewide Cohousing Development
The new law will prevent local governments from prohibiting the development of coliving multifamily development through zoning and other regulations.
Snohomish County Opens Third BRT Line
The new 11-mile Swift Orange Line connects Edmonds, Washington, with the city of Everett and will soon link up with the Sound Transit Link network.
Seattle Area Developers Target Areas Around Light Rail Extension
The East Link line, which will connect Redmond and Bellevue to Seattle in 2025, is spurring transit-oriented development near future stations.
Deconstructing Office-to-Residential Conversions in Seattle
In a two-part inquiry in GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe looks at clearing the path to office-to-residential conversions and the complex path beyond.
Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding
The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.
Washington State’s Unhoused Residents Receive Close to Half of Jaywalking Tickets
Homeless people make up 0.4 percent of the state’s population but receive over 40 percent of jaywalking tickets.
Study: Seattle Vision Zero Projects Not Bad for Business
An analysis of seven road safety project sites showed no negative economic impact on surrounding businesses.
Washington State Requests Federal Funding for Tsunami Preparedness
The state’s Department of Natural Resources says it needs continued funding to map coastal areas at risk for tsunami impacts and prepare mitigation and evacuation plans.
Seattle to Introduce Electric Buses With Wireless Charging
In-ground induction chargers will reduce the cost of the charging network.
Seattle Mobility Advocates Say City Should Triple Transportation Levy
A measure set to go before voters in November will fund road safety and mobility projects, but advocates say a much bigger investment is required to meet the city’s needs.
Which Cities and States Will Join the “Mansion Tax” Club Next?
Higher taxes on high-value property sales are being considered in Chicago, Connecticut, and Washington state as a way to address the housing crisis.
Should Transit Riders Sit on Transit Agency Boards?
A proposal under consideration by Washington State lawmakers would give public transit riders a seat at the table and a voice in decisions that directly affect them.
How to Participate in Post-Pandemic Urban Resilience
In a summary of a recent talk, Chuck Wolfe provides five tools to help reimagine post-pandemic urban spaces with a focus on livability and co-creation.
Washington State Transportation Budget Must Weigh Megaprojects, Maintenance
Major infrastructure projects face ballooning costs, putting basic maintenance and safety upgrade projects on the back burner.
Washington House Passes Lot Splitting Bill
Residential properties can now be split, with certain restrictions, into multiple lots to spur more housing development.
Washington State Legislature Could Continue Housing Reforms in 2024
2023 saw some victories and some setbacks for housing advocates. Lawmakers plan to continue the fight in 2024.
Seattle Passes Building Emissions Law
The law calls for buildings larger than 20,000 square feet to eliminate fossil fuels by 2050.
GAO: Washington State Slow on Clean Water Reporting
The Clean Water Act mandates reporting of ‘impaired waters’ to support conservation and restoration efforts.
Seattle’s Bike Infrastructure Hamstrings Growth
Design standards that call for minimal road space allocated to bikes are limiting the growth of cycling in the city.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
