The elevated park and event space replaces part of the demolished Alaskan Way Viaduct, connecting the city’s famous Pike Place Market to the waterfront.
The centerpiece of a major revamp of Seattle’s waterfront opened this month, with city officials cutting the ribbon on Overlook Walk, a new overpass and park space connecting Pike Place Market and the waterfront over Alaskan Way.
“One of the last major upgrades planned as part of the 15-year project to decide how to remake the central waterfront after the demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, the Overlook Walk is one of the most ambitious public works projects completed by the City of Seattle in decades,” explains Ryan Packer in The Urbanist.
According to Packer, Overlook Walk is designed primarily as a park and gathering space rather than a transportation connection, with parts of it set to close at 10pm every night. “While the Overlook Walk likely won’t make many people’s trips much faster, it will create the type of intuitive connection between some of the city’s most trafficked areas that simply hasn’t existed before, at least not since the elevated Alaskan Way highway dividing the city opened in 1953.”
Packer describes various elements of the Walk, including new playgrounds and stadium-style steps ready for concerts or events. “While many people have mixed feelings about the overall waterfront redevelopment, especially the new Elliott Way roadway up into Belltown and the incredibly wide section of Alaskan Way near Colman Dock, the Overlook Walk represents its high point, in more ways than one, and is poised to become one of the city’s most iconic new spaces.”
FULL STORY: Overlook Walk Finally Opens as the New Seattle Waterfront’s Centerpiece
I Help Plan Cap Parks; Here’s What Austin Can Learn from Other Cities
How freeway capping projects can literally and metaphorically bridge urban divides.
Addressing Tree Canopy Disparity in South Los Angeles
A new study highlights the complex challenge of addressing tree canopy disparities in South L.A., where historical environmental injustices, budget constraints, and competing community priorities hinder efforts to increase equitable tree coverage.
Austin’s Vision for I-35 Cap Parks Takes Final Shape
The city’s plan includes parks, entertainment pavilions, commercial space, sports fields, and other facilities over 30 acres of deck parks spanning a sunken Interstate 35.
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