Opinion

A five story building with yellow insulation before siding is added.

Editorial: Seattle Should Not Pass Transportation Impact Fees

Facing a housing slowdown, foisting more costs onto new homes to fund a hodgepodge of transportation projects is a terrible idea. The four members of...

The Sexiest Part of the Zoning Ordinance

In the dark recesses of the municipal code, between definitions of Electric Vehicles and Entrance Ramps, Seattle’s zoning ordinance turns sexy. It lustily describes...

The Next Pedersen? Bob Kettle’s Anti-Housing Red Flags Raise Alarm

Kettle is the most anti-housing candidate running for Seattle City Council; if he wins, he'd represent the city's fastest-growing district: D7. As Seattle City Council...
People using outdoor seating during a Bothell festival.

Rising Star Candidates Beyond Seattle

Ally endorsements point to the best urbanist candidates around Puget Sound. In city council races, The Urbanist Elections Committee only endorsed in Seattle and Bellevue...
A rainy downtown Seattle street scene with bus 590 approaching.

Op-Ed: Sound Transit Should Run Link All Night or Provide Shadow Night Bus Service

Standing on the platform of SeaTac Airport Station after midnight, straining to see whether the next light rail train is coming, I can’t help...
Green street trees shade Tacoma sidewalks. Colored dots on the sidewalk represent the values of the cooling effect.

A Tree Grows in Tacoma, But Will It Be There in 10 Years?

Tacoma has the least tree canopy in the Puget Sound Region. Residents experience this reality in higher average temperatures and poor air quality. On a...
Movie poster for Murder Party showing a man in glasses wearing knights armor costume made of cardboard and blood-soaked. He's holding two chainsaws across his chest and looks terrified. An assortment of people are behind him wearing costumes for a baseball player, vampire, robot, and cheerleader.

Murder Party Is an Urbanist Halloween Masterpiece

It sucks when Halloween falls early in the week. The spookiest night of the year and you have to wake up for work early...

Seattle Must Pursue ‘Rapid Progress’ Option and Transform Its Streets

Comment by October 31 to urge the City to improve the Seattle Transportation Plan. Seattle is mapping out the next two decades of transportation investments...