Recent Posts

Op-Ed: A Tale of Two Cities — Why Do Plazas Empty Us?

Cities should overhaul their approach to plazas to create places where people can really belong and linger, argues urban researcher Jae Seong Cho, who points to the shortcomings of Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Plaza and Los Angeles’ Grand Park to illustrate his point.

Washington’s First Try at E-bike Rebates Leaves Thousands of Vouchers Unredeemed

84% of Washingtonians offered a $1,200 instant rebate on a new e-bike this spring followed through and made a purchase, compared to just 24% of those who were offered a $300 rebate. The lessons learned during the first rollout of the program are likely to shape the next round of incentives.

Holiday Video: Why Are They Making Up Nonsense About Our Cities? Portland Edition

Ray Delahanty of CityNerd pushes back on doomsday conservative portrayals of Portland, Oregon by taking a bike tour of the city, showing lots of vibrant street life, urban redevelopment, and some great safe streets interventions.

City of Seattle Purchases 18-Acre Laurelhurst Property, Scuttling Sprawl Plans

The $64 million sale of the hotly contested Talaris property in Laurelhurst surprised housing advocates who had long been fighting sprawl and pushing for a more forward-thinking urban vision. But with considerable roadblocks to redevelopment still in place, Talaris's future remains uncertain.
Tens of thousands of soccer fans attend a Sounders FC match at Lumen Field. (Stephen Fesler)

New Three-Day Regional Transit Pass Coming to ORCA in June

In time for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup matches in Seattle, transit riders will have two new fare payment options, including a special three-day pass.

Ferguson Proposes Borrowing $3 Billion for Highway Maintenance, Ferries

The governor's proposed $3 billion in bonds would add onto a Washington state transportation budget that already allocates nearly 12% to debt service. With a 60% vote needed to authorize, the idea will likely face considerable skepticism at the state legislature.

Sunday Video: Is Mass Timber Revolutionizing Midrise and Highrise Design?

Uytae Lee of About Here ticks through the design entrants at a recent mass timber architecture competition, showcasing the vast architectural diversity possible with the eco-friendly construction method.

Op-Ed: Make Seattle a Dog City for Everyone

People experiencing homelessness face huge hurdles to owning dogs and other pets while navigating social services. But Caleb Sinéad Shapiro argues it doesn't have to be this way.