Seattle

Controversy Still Surrounds Seattle Tunnel Project

What future lies ahead for the damaged Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle continues to stir controversy in the city. An upcoming ballot measure will ask voters to again weigh the project's feasibility.

April 12, 2011 - The New York Times

Giving Communal Housing A Shot

Seeing an unfilled niche in the housing marketplace, developers in suburban Seattle are trying to build a communal housing development.

March 30, 2011 - Sustainable Industries

Seattle's Growth Through Human Capital

Despite what seemed to be a drained post-industrial condition in the 1970s, Seattle has been growing. This post looks into why.

March 9, 2011 - The New York Times

Seattle's 'Unsustainable' Parks System

As the parks system grows in Seattle, it is becoming more difficult to afford to maintain. One local official calls the system "unsustainable".

March 8, 2011 - The Seattle Times

Housing Downturn Hits Unsuspecting Markets

Areas once thought to be virtually immune to the downturn in the housing market are starting to see signs of decline.

February 14, 2011 - The New York Times

Where To Rent, Where to Buy

A real estate report found that there are only four cities in the U.S. where it makes more sense for residents to rent rather than buy. The foreclosure crisis has made it more practical to buy rather than rent in 72% of America's 50 largest cities.

January 31, 2011 - San Francisco Examiner

Seeking an Example of Sustainable Urbanism in Seattle

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.

January 30, 2011 - Sustainable Industries

Seattle Tunnel Contracts Signed, But Opposition Remains

Contracts have been signed on a tunnel project to replace the earthquake-damaged Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle. But opponents are still trying to stop the project.

January 9, 2011 - The Seattle Times

Big Signs May Top Downtown Seattle Buildings

Seattle is considering a new policy that will allow companies to place large signs atop buildings downtown. It's part of an effort to lure companies downtown, but many locals are outraged.

December 22, 2010 - NPR

Mapping Seattle's Bikeability

Comparing Seattle to Portland, transportation planner Adam Parast used GIS data to show the most bikeable parts of the city.

December 22, 2010 - Ballard New Tribune

Opposing Seattle's Big Dig Project

Grist's Dave Roberts chats with Cary Moon, one of the key opponents to Seattle's version of the Big Dig, a tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Moon, urbanists, and environmentalists are supporting a multi-modal, surface boulevard alternative.

December 21, 2010 - Grist

A Map of Pedestrian Deaths

The Seattle Department of Transportation has released a map of all pedestrian deaths in the city, offering clues about where additional attention is needed.

December 19, 2010 - Publicola

Sponsoring Seattle

Leaders in Seattle are considering a plan to offer naming rights to various parks and civic amenities.

November 2, 2010 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Bicycle Activists Become Major Political Players

A one-time fringe bicycle activist group in the Pacific Northwest has turned into a major player in mainstream politics.

November 2, 2010 - The Seattle Times

B.C. and Washington Seek High Speed Rail to California

Officials in the Pacific Northwest are calling for a high speed rail line that connects British Columbia with California.

October 21, 2010 - CBC

Seattle's Sustainability Cred Suffering

In the progressive city of Seattle, Worldchanging's Alex Steffen finds the metro area falling behind other American cities with what is becoming an out-dated land use policy.

October 7, 2010 - WorldChanging

A New Waterfront in the Works for Seattle

Seattle is panning to tear down an aging viaduct that runs along its waterfront and replace it with a tunnel beneath downtown. When the viaduct falls, the city is looking to increase public space on a new waterfront.

September 28, 2010 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

A Very Small-Scale Bike Sharing Program in Seattle

A local activist in Seattle has started his own small-scale ad hoc bike sharing system with a handful of free bikes scattered throughout his neighborhood.

September 16, 2010 - The Stranger

The Vicious Cycle of Adding Capacity for Cars

Dan Bertolet argues that adding expanding car capacity in cities just inspires more people to drive and ruins the qualities that make the city attractive in the first place.

September 5, 2010 - Publicola

Seattle Considers Transportation Tax District

Seattle has a long list of transportation projects on the drawing boards, but little money to bring them into reality. So local officials are considering a plan to create transportation taxing districts to help fund the projects.

August 14, 2010 - The Seattle Times

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.