A graphic of blue and green mountains with the skyline of a city in front of them with the words WA Can't Wait in a white box on the left corner.

What It Will Take to Close the Illegal Growth Loophole in 2022

Note: This article was revised on 10/29/21 to reflect Futurewise's decision to rename the "vesting loophole" as the "illegal growth loophole" to more clearly...

Five Things to Watch at Sound Transit Under CEO Dow Constantine

Expectations are high for longtime board member Dow Constantine's new job as Sound Transit CEO. Here's what The Urbanist's newsroom has at top-of-mind in the months ahead.

Much DADU About Nothing

Since the release of the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) Committee recommendations, there has been much speculation on what diversifying the single-family zones...

Issaquah TDR Deal Recommended For Denial, Perhaps For The Better

On January 18th, the Issaquah Land & Shore Committee recommended denial for a major modification request to the Issaquah Highlands development agreement, citing lack...
A cottage in a leafy backyard in the fall.

Missing Middle Bill Dies in House, but Statewide Backyard Cottage Reform Remains in Play

Oregon passed statewide missing middle housing reform in 2019, as did California in 2021. Hopes were high that Washington State would follow suit in...
A photo of a dirt street crowded with people and vehicles with a green mountain in the distance and electrical wire

Latest IPCC Climate Report Underscores Need for Collaborative Action Among Urbanists

The latest reports from the United Nations International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment are out and their findings on cities are simply...

City Council Continues MHA-R Deliberations, Entertains 11 Amendments To Legislation

If you've been following Seattle's Mandatory Housing Affordability process since the beginning, then you know that, so far, the City has adopted a framework for...

Wilburton Rezone Can Facilitate Over 5,000 New Homes in Bellevue – If Done Right

Later this year, Bellevue City Council will complete a years-long process to rezone the Wilburton neighborhood east of I-405. Historically a commercial and office...