Seattle

Mount Rainier

Seattle Mayor Calls for ‘Low-Pollution Neighborhoods’

An executive order signed last week consolidates actions the city plans to take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

December 14, 2022 - The Urbanist

Close-up of "Bike Lane Closed" sign

A Simple Fix for Blocked Bike Lanes

A bike lane detour in Seattle illustrates a cheap and easy way to safely direct bike traffic around obstructions such as utility work.

December 9, 2022 - Seattle Bike Blog

Seattle

Seattle Considering Expedited Design Review for Affordable Housing

An emergency order in April 2020 exempted affordable housing projects from the city of Seattle’s design review process. A new ordinance would allow affordable housing proposals there own path to approval for another two-year test period.

November 22, 2022 - The Center Square

Transit Planning

Sooner Rather Than Later: Support Builds for Eastside-Only Light Rail in Seattle

The Eastside Link light rail route, now known as Line 2, is delayed. A Sound Transit board officials is suggesting that some of the route can open soon, while the rest of the route is prepped to open later.

November 10, 2022 - The Seattle Times

Two-way bike lane in downtown Seattle, Washington protected wtih concrete curbs

Seattle Planning Commission Urges Reimagining of the City’s Streets

In a set of recommendations submitted to the city, the commission calls for revised land use and transportation policies that reclaim public space from cars and shift focus away from vehicle throughput to more pedestrian-oriented uses.

November 7, 2022 - The Urbanist

Three people standing next to Lime bikeshare bikes looking out over water toward the Seattle skyline

New Shared Mobility Tax, More Traffic Cameras Could Be Headed to Seattle

Proposals before the city council include a per-vehicle tax on shared bikes and scooters and a hike to the city’s vehicle registration fee.

November 3, 2022 - The Urbanist

Bus Lane

Opinion: Give Every Seattle Bus Dedicated Lanes

Painting red dedicated bus lanes can improve travel times for bus riders, encourage more people to use public transit, and reduce emissions from transportation.

October 31, 2022 - The Urbanist

Google Street View of Third Avenue in Seattle with buses and pedestrians

Op-Ed: A Bold but Attainable Vision for Seattle’s Third Avenue

The editorial board of The Urbanist lays out their plan for a reimagined Third Avenue that plays to the strengths of the corridor while improving safety and transit service.

October 20, 2022 - The Urbanist

View of Seattle skyline with houses in foreground

Community Land Trusts Make Homeownership Accessible

The organizations sell homes to low-income buyers at rates far below market prices, putting homeownership within reach for more families.

September 27, 2022 - Next City

Sound Transit Light Rail Extensions

Checking in on the Progress of the Sound Transit 3 Plan

The Seattle area's $53.8 billion transit expansion plan is moving along in fits and starts.

August 15, 2022 - The Seattle Times

Sound Transit Seattle

Free Transit Starts September 1 for Seattle Youth

Sound Transit is launching a fare-free program for young riders in the hopes of educating and recruiting future riders and making schools and jobs more accessible to transit-dependent youth.

August 12, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

Aerial view of waterfront houses in Seattle, Washington

Seattle Works To Revise Comprehensive Plan

The city has developed five concepts for updating its comprehensive plan to increase density and reverse the legacy of exclusionary zoning.

August 7, 2022 - Crosscut

Construction on a tunnel is visible next to the Seattle waterfront.

A Permanent Decline in Revenue Forecasted for the Tunnel Bertha Built in Seattle

Public transit isn't the only mode struggling to attract the expected number of users in 2022. State Route 99 in Downtown Seattle is also failing to live up to expectations and struggling to make ends meet.

August 4, 2022 - The Urbanist

Seattle

What Should the ‘Next Seattle’ Look Like?

With the city getting ready to update its comprehensive plan, one writer examines some models for improving affordability, accessibility, and community in Seattle.

July 14, 2022 - The Urbanist

Seattle Construction

Seattle Ponders a New Approach to Zoning for its Comprehensive Plan Update

The city of Seattle will have an updated comprehensive plan by the end of 2024, with zoning changes to follow by 2025.

June 28, 2022 - The Urbanist

Bus stop with passengers and bus in downtown Seattle

Seattle Transit Winning Back Riders Faster Than Ridehailing

Ridehailing companies saw a steep drop in ridership in the city during the pandemic, followed by a slow recovery as their prices increase and demand slows.

June 23, 2022 - The Urbanist

SR-99 on-ramp in Seattle

Seattle Traffic Deaths Rose Again in 2022

Despite a commitment to eliminating traffic deaths by 2030, 2022 is shaping up to be the deadliest year in more than a decade.

June 22, 2022 - The Seattle Times

Mount Rainier

After Major Investments, Seattle Still Falling Behind on Affordable Housing Goals

The city aims to build 20,000 units of affordable housing by 2025, but as housing costs continue to increase, more Seattleites are being squeezed out of their homes.

June 16, 2022 - Crosscut

Broadway Bike Lane

Seattle Remains Far From Its Vision Zero Goals

One Seattle councilmember is calling for more urgency in addressing the city’s rising traffic deaths.

June 9, 2022 - South Seattle Emerald

Sound Transit

Seattle Prepares for Major Transit Disruptions

Sound Transit claims maintenance work is necessary to prepare for upcoming transit extensions, but critics question the need to make drastic service cuts.

June 8, 2022 - The Urbanist

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.