The Urbanist
The Urbanist
  • Transportation
  • Housing
  • Politics
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletters
  • More [has_child]
  • About Us [subitem]
  • Contact Us [subitem]
  • Board of Directors [subitem]
  • Write For Us [subitem]
  • Elections Committee [subitem]
  • Privacy Policy [subitem]
Wilson Seeks to Clean House Ahead of First Budget Rollout
Politics

Wilson Seeks to Clean House Ahead of First Budget Rollout

  • Amy Sundberg
September 21, 2026
Housing Advocates, Workers Pack City Hall to Support Temporary Fee Break
Housing

Housing Advocates, Workers Pack City Hall to Support Temporary Fee Break

  • Ryan Packer
September 21, 2026
Op-Ed: Gregoire and Locke Speaks for Oligarchs, Not the Democratic Base
Opinion

Op-Ed: Gregoire and Locke Speaks for Oligarchs, Not the Democratic Base

  • John Burbank (Guest Contributor)
September 20, 2026
Op-Ed: Seattle Needs More Than a 10-Minute Walk or Roll to a Park
Opinion

Op-Ed: Seattle Needs More Than a 10-Minute Walk or Roll to a Park

  • Rebecca Bear and Paulina Lopez
September 19, 2026
Traffic Safety Package Advances with Change Targeting Historic Districts
Vision Zero

Traffic Safety Package Advances with Change Targeting Historic Districts

  • Ryan Packer
September 18, 2026
Deconstruction Is a Key Frontier for Climate Action in Seattle
Climate Change

Deconstruction Is a Key Frontier for Climate Action in Seattle

  • Syris Valentine
September 18, 2026
Seattle's Speed Camera Program Enters New Frontier
Vision Zero

Seattle's Speed Camera Program Enters New Frontier

  • Ryan Packer
September 17, 2026
Foster Resurrects Housing Accelerator, Teeing Up MHA Fee Break in 2027
Housing

Foster Resurrects Housing Accelerator, Teeing Up MHA Fee Break in 2027

  • Doug Trumm
September 16, 2026
Seattle Breaks Ground on West Seattle RV Safe Lot
Homelessness

Seattle Breaks Ground on West Seattle RV Safe Lot

  • Doug Trumm
September 16, 2026
Bellevue Council Faces Decision Point on Parking Reform
Eastside

Bellevue Council Faces Decision Point on Parking Reform

  • Ryan Packer
September 15, 2026
Pinehurst Tour, September Social, and Final Ticket Sales for CityNerd Talk
Events

Pinehurst Tour, September Social, and Final Ticket Sales for CityNerd Talk

  • Diego Batres
September 14, 2026
Rob Saka Throws Together Traffic Safety Legislation Ahead of Council Deadline
Vision Zero

Rob Saka Throws Together Traffic Safety Legislation Ahead of Council Deadline

  • Ryan Packer
September 14, 2026
Op-Ed: Building Toward a Greener, Housing-Abundant Seattle
Opinion

Op-Ed: Building Toward a Greener, Housing-Abundant Seattle

  • Logan Schmidt and others
September 13, 2026
Environmental Complaints Against Seattle Growth Plan Thrown Out in State Ruling
Housing

Environmental Complaints Against Seattle Growth Plan Thrown Out in State Ruling

  • Ryan Packer
September 12, 2026
Faulty Pantograph Blamed for Sound Transit's Apple Cup Train Stall
Link light rail

Faulty Pantograph Blamed for Sound Transit's Apple Cup Train Stall

  • Doug Trumm
September 11, 2026
New Airo Trains Start Rolling on Amtrak Cascades September 30
Amtrak

New Airo Trains Start Rolling on Amtrak Cascades September 30

  • Ryan Packer
September 10, 2026
Feds Hope to Boost Homebuilding with 'ROAD to Housing' Act
Housing

Feds Hope to Boost Homebuilding with 'ROAD to Housing' Act

  • Doug Trumm
September 10, 2026
Metro Prevails in 'Race the L8' Rematch Thanks to New Bus Lanes
Transit

Metro Prevails in 'Race the L8' Rematch Thanks to New Bus Lanes

  • Ryan Packer and Doug Trumm
September 09, 2026
Kirkland Council Divides Over Affordable Housing Fees in Low-Density Zones
Eastside

Kirkland Council Divides Over Affordable Housing Fees in Low-Density Zones

  • Ryan Packer
September 08, 2026
The Urbanist Fall Member Drive: Staffing Up to Expand Our Coverage
Organization News

The Urbanist Fall Member Drive: Staffing Up to Expand Our Coverage

  • Diego Batres
September 08, 2026
Urbanism 101: What Is Transportation Resilience?
Transportation

Urbanism 101: What Is Transportation Resilience?

  • Maulsri Jha
September 07, 2026
Sunday Video: Is Minneapolis Too Nice for Its Own Good?
Video

Sunday Video: Is Minneapolis Too Nice for Its Own Good?

  • Doug Trumm
September 06, 2026
Washington's Complete Streets Mandate Stops Short in Mukilteo
Transportation

Washington's Complete Streets Mandate Stops Short in Mukilteo

  • Ryan Packer
September 05, 2026
Op-Ed: Brian Heywood’s Plan to Take Over Snohomish County Government Must Be Stopped
Opinion

Op-Ed: Brian Heywood’s Plan to Take Over Snohomish County Government Must Be Stopped

  • Andrew Villeneuve (Guest Contributor)
September 04, 2026
Seattle's Pinehurst Light Rail Station Will Open September 30
Link light rail

Seattle's Pinehurst Light Rail Station Will Open September 30

  • Doug Trumm
September 03, 2026
After Voters Pass Connect Tacoma Levy, Officials Eye Next Steps
Transportation

After Voters Pass Connect Tacoma Levy, Officials Eye Next Steps

  • Carolyn Bick
September 03, 2026
BNSF Demands Cloud Seattle's Path to Replacing Aging Jackson Street Bridges
Transportation

BNSF Demands Cloud Seattle's Path to Replacing Aging Jackson Street Bridges

  • Ryan Packer
September 02, 2026
Op-Ed: Seattle Press Are Concocting a False Narrative to Undermine Mayor Wilson
Opinion

Op-Ed: Seattle Press Are Concocting a False Narrative to Undermine Mayor Wilson

  • Maggie Block
September 01, 2026
Announcing Special Guests for Our CityNerd Talk, Plus a Call for Volunteers
Events

Announcing Special Guests for Our CityNerd Talk, Plus a Call for Volunteers

  • Diego Batres
August 31, 2026
Winter Rollback of Pike Place Market Pedestrian Pilot Moves Forward
Parks and Public Space

Winter Rollback of Pike Place Market Pedestrian Pilot Moves Forward

  • Ryan Packer
August 31, 2026
Sound Transit Board Greenlights Targeted Fare Gate Retrofits
Transit

Sound Transit Board Greenlights Targeted Fare Gate Retrofits

  • Doug Trumm
August 30, 2026
Op-Ed: From the Bargaining Table to Olympia, Educators Need Our Support Now
Opinion

Op-Ed: From the Bargaining Table to Olympia, Educators Need Our Support Now

  • Kelabe Tewolde
August 30, 2026
Op-Ed: Washington’s Primary Election Results Underscore the Case for Proportional Ranked Choice Voting
Opinion

Op-Ed: Washington’s Primary Election Results Underscore the Case for Proportional Ranked Choice Voting

  • Zane Gustafson
August 29, 2026
Everett Link Reaches Key Federal Approval Milestone
Transit

Everett Link Reaches Key Federal Approval Milestone

  • Ryan Packer and Doug Trumm
August 28, 2026
Op-Ed: The Washington Legislature Must Reform SEPA to Save the Growth Management Act
Opinion

Op-Ed: The Washington Legislature Must Reform SEPA to Save the Growth Management Act

  • Patrick Taylor
August 27, 2026
Bainbridge Avoids Triggering Builder's Remedy with Temporary Zoning Changes
Kitsap

Bainbridge Avoids Triggering Builder's Remedy with Temporary Zoning Changes

  • Ryan Packer
August 27, 2026
Bellevue Permitting More New Housing Than Seattle, Intake Data Shows
Eastside

Bellevue Permitting More New Housing Than Seattle, Intake Data Shows

  • Ryan Packer
August 26, 2026
Democrats Poised to Gain Seats in Washington State Legislature
Politics

Democrats Poised to Gain Seats in Washington State Legislature

  • Doug Trumm
August 26, 2026
Op-Ed: Land Value Capture Could Fund Ballard Light Rail
Opinion

Op-Ed: Land Value Capture Could Fund Ballard Light Rail

  • Aaron Schechter
August 25, 2026
Strauss Proposes Program Phasing Out Street Parking for RVs
Homelessness

Strauss Proposes Program Phasing Out Street Parking for RVs

  • Amy Sundberg
August 24, 2026
Sound Transit Says Train Derailment Was Isolated Incident
Transit

Sound Transit Says Train Derailment Was Isolated Incident

  • Doug Trumm
August 23, 2026
King County Council Sets Aside Emergency Motion to Restore Route 372
Transit

King County Council Sets Aside Emergency Motion to Restore Route 372

  • Ryan Packer
August 22, 2026
Seattle Seeks to Broaden Climate Action Plan, with Adaptation in Mind
Climate Change

Seattle Seeks to Broaden Climate Action Plan, with Adaptation in Mind

  • Syris Valentine
August 22, 2026
Wilson Order Tees Up Sweeping Traffic Safety Changes, Accelerating Projects
Vision Zero

Wilson Order Tees Up Sweeping Traffic Safety Changes, Accelerating Projects

  • Ryan Packer
August 21, 2026
Wilson, Rinck Paint Bus Lane to Speed Up Route 8
Transit

Wilson, Rinck Paint Bus Lane to Speed Up Route 8

  • Doug Trumm
August 21, 2026
Wilson Launches Housing Task Force, Pledging to Streamline Permitting
Housing

Wilson Launches Housing Task Force, Pledging to Streamline Permitting

  • Doug Trumm
August 20, 2026
Sammamish Poised to Pivot Away from Town Center Growth This Fall
Eastside

Sammamish Poised to Pivot Away from Town Center Growth This Fall

  • Ryan Packer
August 19, 2026
Op-Ed: How Pike Place Market Can Thrive in the Winter Without Car Traffic
Opinion

Op-Ed: How Pike Place Market Can Thrive in the Winter Without Car Traffic

  • Gordon Padelford and Seattle Streets Alliance
August 18, 2026
UW Tacoma Aspires to Double Enrollment, Become Downtown's Largest Park
Tacoma

UW Tacoma Aspires to Double Enrollment, Become Downtown's Largest Park

  • Carolyn Bick
August 18, 2026
Pike Place Pedestrian Pilot Poised to Scale Back for Winter
Parks and Public Space

Pike Place Pedestrian Pilot Poised to Scale Back for Winter

  • Ryan Packer
August 17, 2026
Sunday Video: High Oil Prices Can Make Better Cities
Video

Sunday Video: High Oil Prices Can Make Better Cities

  • Stephen Fesler
August 16, 2026
Op-Ed: Give Ballard a Sounder Stop While It Waits for Light Rail
Opinion

Op-Ed: Give Ballard a Sounder Stop While It Waits for Light Rail

  • Matthew Trecha
August 16, 2026
Op-Ed: With MHA Reform In Vogue, Unaddressed Utility Costs Loom
Opinion

Op-Ed: With MHA Reform In Vogue, Unaddressed Utility Costs Loom

  • Parker Dawson
August 15, 2026
West Seattle Link Opening Slips to 2035, Sound Transit OKs Property Acquisitions
Link light rail

West Seattle Link Opening Slips to 2035, Sound Transit OKs Property Acquisitions

  • Doug Trumm
August 14, 2026
How North Bend's First Attempt to Build Workforce Housing Fell Apart
Eastside

How North Bend's First Attempt to Build Workforce Housing Fell Apart

  • Ryan Packer
August 14, 2026
State Extension Denied, Bainbridge Island Pivots on Growth Plan
Housing

State Extension Denied, Bainbridge Island Pivots on Growth Plan

  • Ryan Packer
August 13, 2026
Seattle Advances Ban on Surveillance Pricing, Targeting Grocery Giants
Economics

Seattle Advances Ban on Surveillance Pricing, Targeting Grocery Giants

  • Amy Sundberg
August 13, 2026
Seattle Council Passes Wilson's Junk Fee Ban, Aiding Renters
Housing

Seattle Council Passes Wilson's Junk Fee Ban, Aiding Renters

  • Doug Trumm
August 12, 2026
Op-Ed: Progressives Are Winning the Future of Washington's Legislature
Opinion

Op-Ed: Progressives Are Winning the Future of Washington's Legislature

  • Kamau Chege
August 12, 2026
Proposal for a Vision Zero Action Plan in Lynnwood Meets Resistance
Vision Zero

Proposal for a Vision Zero Action Plan in Lynnwood Meets Resistance

  • Ryan Packer
August 12, 2026
Seattle Prepares Gun Violence Prevention Policy Update
Police and Public Safety

Seattle Prepares Gun Violence Prevention Policy Update

  • Amy Sundberg
August 11, 2026
Seattle Is Still Studying Housing at Magnolia's Fort Lawton
Housing

Seattle Is Still Studying Housing at Magnolia's Fort Lawton

  • Ryan Packer
August 10, 2026
Sunday Video: How Safe Is Your City’s Transportation System?
Video

Sunday Video: How Safe Is Your City’s Transportation System?

  • Stephen Fesler
August 09, 2026
Op-Ed: State Lawmakers Must Step Up Wildfire Alleviation Efforts
Opinion

Op-Ed: State Lawmakers Must Step Up Wildfire Alleviation Efforts

  • Rep. Shaun Scott
August 08, 2026
Sound Transit Board Committee Advances Fare Gate Retrofit Program
Transit

Sound Transit Board Committee Advances Fare Gate Retrofit Program

  • Ryan Packer
August 07, 2026
Op-Ed: Chief Shon Barnes Wasn’t a Martyr; He Was the Status Quo
Opinion

Op-Ed: Chief Shon Barnes Wasn’t a Martyr; He Was the Status Quo

  • Clifford Carl Cawthon
August 06, 2026
King County Metro Adds 3,000 Weekly Trips with Fall Route Adjustments
Transit

King County Metro Adds 3,000 Weekly Trips with Fall Route Adjustments

  • Ryan Packer
August 06, 2026
August Social and The Urbanist x CityNerd: Building a Transit-Oriented Puget Sound
Events

August Social and The Urbanist x CityNerd: Building a Transit-Oriented Puget Sound

  • Diego Batres
August 05, 2026
Library Levies Up Big in Early Primary Results, Mixed Bag for Progressive Challengers
2026 Election

Library Levies Up Big in Early Primary Results, Mixed Bag for Progressive Challengers

  • Doug Trumm
August 05, 2026
Voter Turnout Lags as Washington's Primary Election Enters Home Stretch
2026 Election

Voter Turnout Lags as Washington's Primary Election Enters Home Stretch

  • Ryan Packer
August 04, 2026
Op-Ed: Sound Transit Gave Us a Ballard Date. Here’s How To Accelerate It.
Opinion

Op-Ed: Sound Transit Gave Us a Ballard Date. Here’s How To Accelerate It.

  • Seattle Subway
August 04, 2026
Issaquah Breaks Ground on Affordable Housing Project Ten Years in the Making
Eastside

Issaquah Breaks Ground on Affordable Housing Project Ten Years in the Making

  • Ryan Packer
August 03, 2026
Op-Ed: Vote Gabe Rothstein for Seattle Municipal Court
Opinion

Op-Ed: Vote Gabe Rothstein for Seattle Municipal Court

  • Austin Field (Guest Contributor)
August 03, 2026
Op-Ed: Federal Transportation Policy Is Growing Unhinged Under Trump
Opinion

Op-Ed: Federal Transportation Policy Is Growing Unhinged Under Trump

  • Mike McGinn
August 02, 2026
Sunday Video: Where Are America’s Trains?
Video

Sunday Video: Where Are America’s Trains?

  • Stephen Fesler
August 02, 2026
Wilson and Council Clash after Seattle Police Chief's Resignation
Police and Public Safety

Wilson and Council Clash after Seattle Police Chief's Resignation

  • Amy Sundberg
August 01, 2026
Full Ballard Link Line Could Take Until 2060 To Build, Sound Transit Says
Transit

Full Ballard Link Line Could Take Until 2060 To Build, Sound Transit Says

  • Ryan Packer
July 31, 2026
The Builder's Remedy Looks To Be Coming to Bainbridge Island
Kitsap

The Builder's Remedy Looks To Be Coming to Bainbridge Island

  • Ryan Packer
July 31, 2026
Wilson Ousts Police Chief Amid Criticisms of Missteps, Frequent Absences
Police and Public Safety

Wilson Ousts Police Chief Amid Criticisms of Missteps, Frequent Absences

  • Doug Trumm
July 30, 2026
Impending Metro Service Changes See Last-Minute Pushback in Lake Forest Park
Transit

Impending Metro Service Changes See Last-Minute Pushback in Lake Forest Park

  • Ryan Packer
July 30, 2026
Op-Ed: Join the Children’s Political Table in Voting to Empower Kids
Opinion

Op-Ed: Join the Children’s Political Table in Voting to Empower Kids

  • Ayan Mohamed and others
July 30, 2026
Op-Ed: Hannah Sabio-Howell is the Leader LD43 Needs
Opinion

Op-Ed: Hannah Sabio-Howell is the Leader LD43 Needs

  • Rep. Shaun Scott and Alexis Mercedes Rinck
July 29, 2026
Op-Ed: Too Easy for Whom?
Opinion

Op-Ed: Too Easy for Whom?

  • Carol Goertzel and Jerry Blackburn
July 29, 2026
Seattle Council Reins In Growth Plan Appeals in Narrow Vote
Housing

Seattle Council Reins In Growth Plan Appeals in Narrow Vote

  • Ryan Packer
July 29, 2026
Metro Set to Go It Alone on RapidRide R Line, Won't Seek Federal Funding
Transit

Metro Set to Go It Alone on RapidRide R Line, Won't Seek Federal Funding

  • Ryan Packer
July 28, 2026
Mercer Island Gets Housing Plans in Order Ahead of State-Imposed Deadline
Eastside

Mercer Island Gets Housing Plans in Order Ahead of State-Imposed Deadline

  • Ryan Packer
July 27, 2026
Sunday Video: Amsterdam Car-Lite Streets Grow As Parking Gets Removed
Video

Sunday Video: Amsterdam Car-Lite Streets Grow As Parking Gets Removed

  • Stephen Fesler
July 26, 2026
Op-Ed: A Multiuse Path Building Spree Can Tackle Sidewalk Deserts
Opinion

Op-Ed: A Multiuse Path Building Spree Can Tackle Sidewalk Deserts

  • Travis Merrigan
July 25, 2026
Councilmembers Reverse Course After Backlash to Universal School Meal Delay
Education

Councilmembers Reverse Course After Backlash to Universal School Meal Delay

  • Amy Sundberg
July 24, 2026
Issaquah Leads State With Program to Self-Certify Backyard Cottage Plans
Eastside

Issaquah Leads State With Program to Self-Certify Backyard Cottage Plans

  • Ryan Packer
July 24, 2026
Sound Transit Asks Riders to Weigh In on 2027 Service Plan
Transit

Sound Transit Asks Riders to Weigh In on 2027 Service Plan

  • Stephen Fesler
July 24, 2026
Progressives Seek to Replace Rep. Gerry Pollet, but Split on Challenger
Politics

Progressives Seek to Replace Rep. Gerry Pollet, but Split on Challenger

  • Amy Sundberg
July 23, 2026
Bremerton Fast Ferry Headed for 35% Weekday Service Cut This Fall
Ferries

Bremerton Fast Ferry Headed for 35% Weekday Service Cut This Fall

  • Ryan Packer
July 23, 2026
Seattle Should Kick the Ball Forward After Successful World Cup
Editorial

Seattle Should Kick the Ball Forward After Successful World Cup

  • Doug Trumm
July 22, 2026
Seattle Funding Measure Adding 100,000 Bus Trips Heads to Voters
Transit

Seattle Funding Measure Adding 100,000 Bus Trips Heads to Voters

  • Ryan Packer
July 22, 2026
SDOT Prepares to Roll Out the Route 8 Red Carpet on Denny Way
Transit

SDOT Prepares to Roll Out the Route 8 Red Carpet on Denny Way

  • Ryan Packer
July 21, 2026
Op-Ed: Bellevue Must Invest in Safe Routes to Stations in Light Rail Era
Opinion

Op-Ed: Bellevue Must Invest in Safe Routes to Stations in Light Rail Era

  • Complete Streets Bellevue and Eastside Urbanism
July 21, 2026
Upcoming Urbanist Events with Endorsed Candidates
Events

Upcoming Urbanist Events with Endorsed Candidates

  • Diego Batres
July 20, 2026
Property Owner Opposition Prompts Seattle Public Restroom Reshuffle
Parks and Public Space

Property Owner Opposition Prompts Seattle Public Restroom Reshuffle

  • Ryan Packer
July 20, 2026
Pierce County Pursues Regional Homelessness Approach, Hoping to Avoid Neighbor’s Pitfalls
South Sound

Pierce County Pursues Regional Homelessness Approach, Hoping to Avoid Neighbor’s Pitfalls

  • Carolyn Bick
July 19, 2026
The Urbanist

Advocacy Journalism for Better Cities

The Urbanist is based in Seattle and registered as a nonprofit 501(c)(4) entity.

About Us

Founded in 2014, The Urbanist's mission is to tell stories that inform and influence the public and their leaders — and win them to our vision of people-centered communities in the Puget Sound region.

Social Media
  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • RSS
Contact Info
  • The Urbanist
  • PO Box 31196
  • Seattle, WA 98103
  • Pitches and Inquiries

© The Urbanist
Published with Ghost