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The Bike Bellevue plan was set to repurpose a lane on a minor downtown street to create a safe space for people on bikes. Then Kemper Development got involved.

Rinck’s Momentum Points to Seattle Voter Realignment, not Simply Even-Year Bump

Seattle voters are backing progressives and rejecting the centrist coalition that swept into power in 2023,. But it was a swing in voter preferences rather than demographics that propelled the progressive Rinck in the primary.
The low bridge stands at dusk with the high bridge above it, and a cyclist is coming off the bridge and is blurred by motion

Op-Ed: Vote Yes on Seattle Prop 1 to Save Lives

Cyclist Steve Hulsman died after being struck by an SUV in West Seattle on December 21. His widow, Rita Hulsman, urges Seattle residents to vote YES on the Keep Seattle Moving levy to prevent future deaths.

Pacific Northwest’s Largest Highway Project Ever Is in Deep Denial

Proponents of a $7.5 billion project to widen I-5 and replace the Columbia River bridge are ignoring induced demand, creating faulty traffic models that obscure its real environmental impact.
A Stay Housed rally with a "Housing is the Cure" banner at Seattle City Hall with a crowd of about 50.

Op-Ed: Seattle Council Should Double Rental Assistance, Not Slash It

To prevent homelessness and improve housing stability, Seattle City Council should not cut funding for Tenant Services and Rental Assistance as Mayor Bruce Harrell proposes, and instead double it.

Op-Ed: Expanding Tree Canopy Is a Climate Solution and Livability Boost

Bellevue, Seattle, and Tacoma are each working to expand tree protections, but all should go further to expand canopy and adapt to a warming climate.
More than a 100 market-goers near the Pike Street entrance to Pike Place Market.

Final Push for The Urbanist’s Fall Member Drive

Give today to help us finish our fall member drive strong. Our members are crucial to powering our advocacy journalism. We couldn't do it without you.

Why Ballard Link Is Still Trapped in Planning Limbo

Ballard Link is still in planning, eight years after the passage of Sound Transit 3. With the environmental review process essentially starting over, major action on the project isn't expected until 2025.

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An evening shot of Esterra Park on NE Turing St

The Urbanist Teams Up with Eastside Urbanism for October Monthly Meetup...

We’re headed to Redmond for our October meetup while we hunt for a new Seattle venue for our monthly socials. Please join The Urbanist and...

Join for The Urbanist’s RapidRide G Line Opening Celebration

The Urbanist is hosting an opening day celebration for the RapidRide G Line, which commences service early Saturday morning. Our event is from 5:00pm to 7:30pm at Stoup Capitol Hill.
An Urbanist banner standing in a corner of a brewery with a few dozen people gathered chatting.

Join The Urbanist for Our Monthly Meetup Tonight

Join The Urbanist for our monthly meetup tonight (August 22nd) from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Stoup Capitol Hill.

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Bellevue Greenlights Downtown Bike Detour Proposed by Kemper Development

The Bike Bellevue plan was set to repurpose a lane on a minor downtown street to create a safe space for people on bikes. Then Kemper Development got involved.
An evening shot of Esterra Park on NE Turing St

The Urbanist Teams Up with Eastside Urbanism for October Monthly Meetup...

We’re headed to Redmond for our October meetup while we hunt for a new Seattle venue for our monthly socials. Please join The Urbanist and...

Mercer Island Plans to Densify Town Center… With a Big Catch

In response to state law, Mercer Island is poised to upzone some of the blocks closest to transit. But new affordability mandates may negate the move.

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Updated Seattle Growth Plan Adds Five Neighborhood Anchors, Bigger Fourplexes

An updated version of Seattle's 20-year growth plan includes additional opportunities for housing density, but mostly retains the city's longstanding pattern of walling off lower-density areas of the city.

Seattle’s Growth Plan Keeps Most of the City Unaffordable, County Committee...

Seattle's 20-year growth plan doesn't do enough to ensure that lower income residents will be able to access the vast majority of the city's residential neighborhoods, according to King County's Affordable Housing Committee.
The intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Othello Street.

Single Family Zones Are Biggest Culprits in Displacement of Black Seattleites

Seattle's single family areas have seen their Black population plummet by 9,126 since 1990. Meanwhile, "urban village" neighborhood have added more than 8,000 Black residents in that span. Why then is low-density zoning expected to blunt displacement?

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Transportation

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Land Use/Housing

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Commentary

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Ryan Packer in a bike helmet along a bike path with an autumn-colored tree behind

Ryan Packer Talks Vision Zero, Traffic Safety on Hacks and Wonks...

Ryan Packer broke down local "Vision Zero" traffic safety campaigns on a recent episode of the Hacks and Wonks podcast.
Photo of Rian Watt wearing a t-shirt from the National Civil Rights museum and an unbuttoned button down shirt. He is smiling slightly.

Rian Watt Talks Primary Results on Hack and Wonks Podcast

The Urbanist's Senior Advisor Rian Watt discussed primary election results and the latest happenings at Seattle City Hall on a August 9 episode of...

Urbanist Publisher Doug Trumm Discusses Transportation Levy on Hacks & Wonks...

The Urbanist’s Publisher Doug Trumm was recently on Crystal Fincher's Hacks and Wonks podcast to discuss the Seattle transportation levy proposal, which came in well short of where safe streets advocates were pushing the mayor to go. The episode is a good primer on the levy debate.

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