Washington

Embracing Congestion May Save County Money

Facing a transportation funding shortage, a county supervisor in Washington has proposed letting some roadways get more crowded and congested to save the money that would have been spent to improve them -- money the county doesn't have.

July 9, 2007 - The Columbian

Ex-Official Says Seattle Stopped Listening

Seattle's public participation process has served as an example for cities across the globe, but the former city official who was instrumental in creating that reputation says the city's current leadership has moved away from that model.

July 9, 2007 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The New Face Of Public Housing

A formerly crime-ridden public housing project has been redeveloped as a HUD Hope VI project. Many see as a successful turnaround, bringing in subsidized renters and buyers as well as market-rate homeowners.

June 25, 2007 - The New York Times

Seattle Grapples With Tree Losses

A rash of illegal tree cutting in Seattle has prompted local officials to act on the city's decreasing amount of trees and canopy cover. Tree-planting efforts hope to build the canopy back from less than its current city coverage of less than 20%.

June 20, 2007 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Seattle Approves Major Mixed-Use Project For Pioneer Square

Plans call for redeveloping the north parking lot of the Seattle Seahawks stadium into a new mixed-use development that will add 400 housing units to the historic district and better link the neighborhood with adjoining areas.

June 10, 2007 - The Seattle Times

Cities In US And UK Consider Public Wi-Fi

In both the US and the UK, local governments are looking to offer wireless internet access in public spaces as a way to get more people out on the streets and near businesses. But they are carefully considering the idea's sustainability.

June 6, 2007 - The Seattle Times, BBC

Light Rail's Long-Term Financing

This article from The Seattle Times takes a look at the long-term financing schedule associated with extending the region's light rail system.

June 6, 2007 - The Seattle Times

Seattle Asking Voters To Approve $23 Billion For Light Rail

Will Washington voters be willing to pay $125 per year per household for 50 miles of light rail extensions, part of Sound Transit's "Roads & Transit" ballot measure?

May 28, 2007 - The Seattle Times

Seattle Goes On Hybrid Bus Shopping Spree

King County Metro plans to add 500 new hybrid buses to its fleet -- increasing service by nearly a third.

May 18, 2007 - The Seattle Times

New Urbanist Revival For Low Income Housing In Seattle

A former area of low-income housing has been redeveloped as a New Urbanist neighborhood in Seattle. The housing stock has almost doubled -- and nearly 40% of it is priced for very low income families.

May 15, 2007 - The Seattle Times

Seattle Plans Clamp Down On Free Parking

Crews will soon begin installing metered parking on many of the city's free curbside parking spaces in an effort to move residents away from private cars.

May 8, 2007 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Affordable Green Housing Develops In Seattle

Seattle-based affordable housing developers use the city's green building standards and grant programs to get many affordable housing projects started in the city and beyond.

May 7, 2007 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

LDMRs and 'Air Condos' in Puget Sound

Snohomish County, Wash., officials are tussling with local city governments and fire-department officials over regulation of so-called "air condo" developments sprouting in the county's unincorporated areas.

May 3, 2007 - The Seattle Times

As Seattle Transit Ridership Increases, Officials Look To Expand

Rising gas prices have caused a noticeable increase in public transit ridership in Seattle. The rising demand has fueled transit officials to push for service expansion.

April 27, 2007 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Little Saigon Threatened By Retail Chains

Seattle residents are protesting a 600,000 square foot retail development set to move into the city's historic Little Saigon neighborhood. They fear that the character of the neighborhood will be erased by the major chain retailers on tap to move in.

April 23, 2007 - The Seattle Times

Henry Cisneros Offers Housing Strategies For Seattle

The former HUD secretary urges the Emerald City to make efficient use of land and increase densities, while advocating for the introduction of tax-increment financing and inclusionary zoning.

April 18, 2007 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Seattle's Workforce Grappling With Housing Shortage

The city is revisiting its affordable housing programs, which currently do little to help moderate-income residents who are increasingly priced out of homeownership.

April 4, 2007 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The Not-So-Evergreen State

Widespread development in Washington has changed the landscape of the state from forests to houses. Experts are predicting a further loss of more than 300,000 acres of forests within the next several years.

April 4, 2007 - The News Tribune

Seattle Drops Plans For Developer-Funded Parks

Plans to use fees charged to developers for building parks and open spaces in Seattle have been abandoned.

April 3, 2007 - The Seattle Times

Bike Lane Boost For Seattle Cyclists

Cyclists in Seattle are looking forward to the upcoming release of the city's Bicycle Master Plan, which will be open for public comment soon. The plan is expected to include more than 200 miles of bike lanes, up from 25 miles currently available.

March 29, 2007 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

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