Opinion

A view of a snow capped mountain behind evergreen trees

Cleaning Up Our (Growth Management) Act

When it comes to planning in the State of Washington, the Growth Management Act (GMA) is where we start. It determines where we can...
A photo of a Rapid Ride bus at stop with a bike parked in front of it.

Call to Action: Save the Roosevelt RapidRide

The Seattle Department of Transportation and King County Metro recently reneged on the voter-approved promise of a Roosevelt RapidRide (J Line) by shortening the...
A photo of a beach with driftwood and snow.

Light Rail Expansion, Affordable Housing, and E-Bikes: What We Were Grateful For in 2021

It's always been fashionable to complain. Complaining is often easy and it can be cathartic too. But since the beginning of the Covid pandemic,...

2021 Articles from The Urbanist to Take Out for a Second Spin

From the viewpoint of an editor, it's clear that many articles do not end up receiving the attention they deserve the first time around....
Mayor Durkan with Ferris wheel and Seattle waterfront in background

Durkan Leaves Behind a Mess After Four Rudderless Years

Today is Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan's final day in office and attention is turning to her legacy as she passes the baton to her...
Ballard Bridge in a up position to allow a gravel filled barge to go by.

Dubicki: It Is Not Too Soon

Middle age, quarterbacks, and "Don’t Look Up" Here we are at the threshold of the most important celebration of the year: my birthday. As it...

URBANIST G.O.R.E. 2022!

New Year! New Horrors! Pay for the whole year, but you’ll only need the edge! In the spirit of Krampus, the Christmas demon who takes...
Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda with colleagues Tammy Morales to right and Lorena Gonzalez and Kshama Sawant to left during election rally at Amazon Spheres. (Credit: Teresa Mosqueda)

What Sawant’s Close 310-Vote Recall Victory Means for Seattle Politics

Business leaders just can't get rid of Kshama Sawant no matter how hard they try. Seattle's firebrand socialist city councilmember prevailed in her fourth...