New presidential digs: President Obama has unveiled the concept design of his planned presidential library in Chicago and even suggested that nearby streets should be reduced in size for safety.

Raise the tax: The Trump administration is apparently open to raising the national gas tax to fund transportation investment.

Toronto transit: Greater Greater Washington profiles the good and bad aspects of Toronto’s expansive transit system–even giving streetcars high marks.

Labor rights: A Kittitas County judge throws out an appeal against the state’s recently passed minimum wage and paid sick leave initiative.

Demographics and zoning: Sightline highlights the correlation between Seattle neighborhoods losing population due to smaller family sizes and zoning limiting new capacity for housing.

American gap: The housing gap in America remains especially unequal in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Expanded PPM: Mark Hinshaw reflects upon the design of the Pike Place Market expansion.

Appeal to landscape: A community group is appealing the decision to permit expansion of the Asian Art Museum over historic preservation of Volunteer Park’s Olmsted-designed landscape.

Map of the Week: Maps that tell the story of transformation in New York City.

Article Author

Stephen is a professional urban planner in Puget Sound with a passion for sustainable, livable, and diverse cities. He is especially interested in how policies, regulations, and programs can promote positive outcomes for communities. With stints in great cities like Bellingham and Cork, Stephen currently lives in Seattle. He primarily covers land use and transportation issues and has been with The Urbanist since 2014.