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Opinion

I-5 and the Seattle Skyline at sunset looking down Yesler Way to Elliott Bay with Smith Tower peeking out on the left and the car-clogged I-5 trench on the right.

Why Climate Advocates Should Be Urbanists

Land use policy is a powerful tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change. So why isn’t it a bigger part of the policy debate? This four-part 'Land Use and Climate Change' series explores that question.
A photo of a tent in front of a glass window with exhibiting large portrait style photos of people.

Supreme Court to Rule on Laws Criminalizing Homelessness in Grants Pass Decision

Seattle and other West Coast cities are pushing for the right to clear encampments without offering shelter. But the U.S. Supreme Court would need to overrule the Ninth Circuit ruling deeming this unconstitutional as cruel and unusual punishment.

Seattle Council, Mayor Not Asking the Hard Questions about Police Recruitment

City leaders are weighing laxer hiring standards rather than improving SPD's culture and accountability systems. But SPD's bad reputation could be the bigger drag on hiring – not to mention safety outcomes.

Op-Ed: Building the Seattle We Want with the Growth We’ll Have

Seattle's proposed 20-year growth strategy could certainly use improvement. Here are suggestions to promote housing abundance, fight exclusion, and curb climate pollution.
The Bellevue transit center is ringed by towers and a construction project adding another.

An Urbanist Guide of Things to Do in Downtown Bellevue

If you're detraining at Downtown Bellevue Station and looking for entertainment and sustenance beyond malls and without burning a crater in your wallet at...
Looking at the microsoft campus from the redmond technology station

East Link TOD: Microsoft Grows Around Redmond Technology Station, If Not Housing

A huge Microsoft Campus "Refresh" redevelopment is underway next door to Redmond Technology Station. It will add three million square feet of office space, but not much housing and no highrises.
Owen Pickford holding a beer, wearing a Sounders shirt in front of a bridge, river and large towers in Tokyo.

Seattle Needs a Powerful Urbanist Media Outlet

Founder Owen Pickford reflects on a decade of The Urbanist and urges urbanists to chip in to keep this institution strong. Please make a donation during our spring member drive.

Op-Ed: Reclaiming Tacoma’s Extensive Historic Streetcar Network

Greater Tacoma used to have an enormously expansive streetcar network. With just one line, Tacoma's modern streetcar network has a long way to go to catch up to that rapid transit standard.