Seattle

25 mph speed limit sign partially obscured by red and orange fall leaves

Study: Seattle’s Lower Speed Limits Reduced Crash Injuries

A change in the city’s speed limits has been shown to reduce the likelihood of injuries during collisions.

March 30, 2023 - Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Buses in downtown Seattle on the dedicated 3rd Avenue bus lanes

Seattle Bus Lane Cameras Capture Over 100,000 Violations

An automated traffic enforcement pilot program caught drivers illegally using transit lanes more than 110,000 times in less than a year.

March 28, 2023 - Axios

Seattle

More ADUs Than Single Homes Being Built in Seattle

Permits for accessory dwelling units jumped by 250 percent between 2019 and 2022.

March 10, 2023 - The Seattle Times

View of Seattle skyline with houses in foreground

Thousands of Seattle Housing Units Blocked by Lawsuits

Legal challenges filed by condo associations are holding up multiple high-rise housing developments that could bring much-needed housing and jobs to downtown Seattle.

March 2, 2023 - The Urbanist

Rainbow painted crosswalk next to green painted bike lane on Seattle, Washington street

Seattle Vision Zero Review Largely Misses the Point

The city released what it called a comprehensive review of its Vision Zero initiatives, but one critic argues the report doesn’t address some key opportunities for improving road safety.

March 1, 2023 - The Urbanist

Black and white photo of Pike Place Market entrance in Seattle with "PUBLIC MARKET" and "Meet the producer" signs

A Chatbot Talks Regeneration and Recovery for Seattle

In his recent analysis of trends to watch for 2023, Managing Editor James Brasuell noted how ChatGPT might replace all the writers of Planetizen, and more. Chuck Wolfe decided to take literally Brasuell's “don't let it sneak up on you” admonition.

February 28, 2023 - Charles R. Wolfe

Covered pergolas for outdoor dining line the curb on Ballard Avenue, Seattle

Seattle Historic District Could Remove Street Dining

Despite the popularity of Ballard Avenue’s outdoor dining pergolas, some district board members argue the patios don’t match the district’s historic character.

February 7, 2023 - The Urbanist

Seattle buses in line at a depot with Seattle skyline in background

Seattle Brings Free Transit to Public Housing

Linking transit programs to housing can lower administrative costs and streamline the process for riders.

January 31, 2023 - Route Fifty

View of downtown Seattle across a body of water with colorful houses in the foreground

Op-Ed: Seattle’s ADU Rules Leave Long-Term Renters Out in the Cold

One resident argues that adding a unit for long-term rental is too expensive and difficult, especially when compared to the city’s ‘super easy’ process for permitting a short-term or vacation rental.

January 24, 2023 - The Seattle Times

Aerial view of waterfront houses in Seattle, Washington

How Zoning Changes Could Boost Housing Supply in Seattle

The Puget Sound region could benefit from zoning tweaks that would encourage more transit-oriented development and ‘gentle’ density increases, new research finds.

January 9, 2023 - Urban Institute

Seattle Road Toll

Seattle’s SR 99 Tunnel Seeking State Bailout

The beleaguered project is not bringing in the expected toll revenue, leaving the Washington Transportation Commission on the hook for construction costs.

December 27, 2022 - The Urbanist

Gold Seattle Streetcar on street against stormy gray sky

Boosters Hope Streetcar Could Breathe New Life into Downtown Seattle

Supporters of a stalled streetcar project say reviving the line would create more transit connections and boost economic development in the area.

December 21, 2022 - The Urbanist

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

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.