Washington
Seattle May Not Need Alaskan Way Viaduct
Seattle finds out that closing their major highway doesn't result in traffic chaos. Maybe closing another one - the Alaskan Way Viaduct - permanently, as some citizens would like to see, is more feasible that some would have us believe.
Development Threatens Wetlands
Citizens and homeowners in Washington have teamed up against a number of proposed housing developments that would replace more than 100 acres of open space and wetlands.
Condo Conversions Leaving Seniors Stranded
The wave of condo conversions in the Seattle area is hitting seniors especially hard.
Roadwork Boosts Transit Ridership
With major roadwork underway on a stretch of heavily-used Interstate 5 in Seattle, many commuters chose public transit to avoid the resulting congestion. But many are wondering whether commuters will keep using transit after the work is done.
Urban Villages Struggling To Attract Jobs
Three mixed-use, walkable urban villages near Seattle have become very popular with residents since their creation in the '80s and '90s. But while small businesses prosper and home vacancies remain low, few jobs are available.
How Seattle Has Grown
Urban geographer Richard Morrill discusses the history of growth in Seattle, the influences that cause it, and which of the influences can be controlled.
Seattle Puts Double-Decker Buses Into Service
Hoping to boost capacity without using additional road space, Seattle will become only the second city in the nation to put the London style buses into service.
Townhomes Sprouting Up In Seattle
Hundreds of new townhomes are being built in neighborhoods across Seattle. Neighbors want input into the new housing, but a loophole allows development to move forward under the radar.
Seattle Moves To Preserve Historic Downtown Structures
With a wave of new development underway downtown, the City of Seattle has nominated 37 structures as historic landmarks, and has plans for even more preservation efforts.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
