Washington

Washington

Spokane Prepares To Disband the State’s Largest Community of Unhoused People

With $24 million in state funding directed to Spokane’s efforts to reduce homelessness, city officials plan to relocate the over 600 residents of Camp Hope. But will services follow?

July 20, 2022 - RANGE Media

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

Police officer with POLICE on the back of their vest with police car in the background

Help! Not Police! Crisis Responses That Avert Police Calls

Cities, court systems, citizen groups, and affordable housing operators are crafting ways of responding to emergencies that reduce the risk of negative police interactions.

July 5, 2022 - Shelterforce Magazine

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

Washington State

Snohomish County, Washington, Sets its Sights on Sprawl

Advocates say it’s unnecessary, but Snohomish County is preparing to expand its urban growth areas to allow for more low density residential development.

June 27, 2022 - The Urbanist

Washington

Spokane to Test Citywide Residential Density Incentives

The Spokane City Council in July will consider the "Building Opportunity and Choices for All" pilot program, which would allow new residential densities throughout the city.

June 27, 2022 - Spokane City

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

Washington

Spokane To Implement Drought Response Ordinance

The city council voted to override a veto of the ordinance by the mayor, enacting new water conservation measures.

June 8, 2022 - City of Spokane

A sign, with the blue ocean int he background, reads "Tsunami Hazard Zone: In Case of Earthquake Go to Higher Ground or Inland"

Tsunami Defenses a Tough Sell in the Pacific Northwest

The experience of communities and school districts attempting to build elevated structures for residents to wait out the high water of a tsunami, an inevitable threat in the Pacific Northwest, has been challenging and impossible to differing degrees.

May 29, 2022 - Crosscut

Community Transit buses at the University of Washington, Seattle.

Bus System Redesign Paired With New Light Rail Service Near Seattle

Community Transit, the public transit authority for Snohomish County, Washington, is redesigning its bus system to plan ahead for the Lynwood Link Extension, currently more than halfway done with construction.

May 25, 2022 - The Urbanist

Mount Rainier

New Community Engagement Practices for Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan Update

A major update of Seattle’s comprehensive plan is just getting under way, with new opportunities for local groups to get involved with outreach and engagement.

May 16, 2022 - Capitol Hill Seattle Blog

Bus riders wearing masks on a New York City bus

Post-Pandemic Transit Likely To Remain Less Commuter-Focused

While the future of transit ridership depends on a range of still-uncertain factors, the commuter-centric patterns that characterized pre-COVID transit service are probably a thing of the past.

May 11, 2022 - Seattle Transit Blog

A very large yacht at berth in Washington, with wooded hills in the background.

Superyachts Calling the Shots for How Light Rail Gets Built in Seattle

Determinations made by the Coast Guard to accommodate superyachts will affect the price of light rail and other bridge projects in Seattle and environs.

May 4, 2022 - The Urbanist

Shishmaref

Coastal Tribes Facing Numerous Existential Threats From Climate Change

From Alaska to Washington, climate change is real, and it’s here now, for indigenous tribes.

May 2, 2022 - Crosscut

Pedestrians

Leading Pedestrian Intervals an Effective, Low-Cost, Pedestrian Safety Solution

Bellevue, Washington is acting on the data and giving pedestrians head starts at busy intersections around in the city’s downtown.

April 28, 2022 - The Urbanist

Pioneer Square, Seattle

How To Preserve Both Affordable Housing and Urban Trees

Housing and environmental activists are calling on the city to commit to a ‘Trees and’ approach, rejecting the perceived conflict between housing affordability and a healthy urban tree canopy.

April 26, 2022 - The Stranger

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.