Seattle has the political momentum behind sustainable urbanism, but it doesn't seem to have a physical neighborhood example of how sustainable urbanism can work, according to this article.
This article from Sustainable Industries wonders whether the city will be able to create a game-changing neighborhood like other nearby cities.
"Portland, Ore., has the Pearl District. Vancouver, B.C., has its entire downtown cluster of residential towers and street-level shops and schools. Such an example in Seattle might be the most powerful way to convince the rest of the city to relax its skepticism toward density and mass transportation, according to proponents.
The idea that Seattle needs a trophy development comes from Marshall Foster, the city's planning director, a veteran of one of those leading architecture and planning shops (Mithun). He understands that for all the enthusiasm in the green urbanism crowd, the city still has a lot of single-family, suburban style neighborhoods. It's a place where "Lesser Seattle" and "Keep the bastards out" took root as catchphrases against big-city growth aspirations. It's a place where a parking rate hike became a 'war on drivers.'"
FULL STORY: Can green urbanism make its case through public housing?
Another Fun Neighborhood Analysis Toy
A Trulia feature offers lots of interesting information about neighborhoods (or at least about how their residents perceive them).
Op-Ed: Good Design Isn't Just for Downtowns
Richard Driehaus attests to the importance of intentional, context-oriented design on the neighborhood level.
When Speeding Pays
Speeding is paying-off in the amount of $15 million for Seattle area schools thanks to speed-enforced cameras, a proven but nonetheless controversial traffic safety tool. Revenue will be used to make walking safer under a proposal by Mayor McGinn.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Greening Oakland’s School Grounds
With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.
California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas
Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.
Native American Communities Prepare to Lead on Environmental Stewardship
In the face of federal threats to public lands and conservation efforts, indigenous groups continue to model nature-centered conservation efforts.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland