Seattle
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mapping Seattle's Bikeability
Comparing Seattle to Portland, transportation planner Adam Parast used GIS data to show the most bikeable parts of the city.
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.
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.
Sponsoring Seattle
Leaders in Seattle are considering a plan to offer naming rights to various parks and civic amenities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Seattle Could Ban New Houseboats
The city has hundreds of houseboats on its waterways, but new shoreline regulations could prohibit any new houseboats.
Seattle Upgrading its Stormwater System to Prevent Sewage Overflows
The city of Seattle is taking on a $500 million project to update its storm drains to reduce the amount of untreated sewage that overflows into waterways during storm events.
Reusing Stalled Construction Sites in Seattle
Officials in Seattle are trying to pass legislation that would allow stalled construction sites to be reused as parking lots and temporary vending areas.
Ten Actions For Cities In Response To Gulf Spill
Grist's Jonathan Hiskes spoke with smart growth leaders to devise strategies that municipalities, as opposed to U.S. government, can take to lessen oil dependency - that are financially sustainable, not overly dependent on technology, and ready to go
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
