Author Archives: Scott Bonjukian

Why I Call Myself an Urbanist

I was recently invited to to participate in a panel discussion pitting urbanism against NIMBYism (Not In My BackYard-ism). Asked to represent the “urbanist” perspective, this got me thinking about it meant to be an urbanist, how urbanism is defined, and if … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial, Housing, Land Use, Public Space, Resources, Sustainability, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Good and the Bad of Driverless Cars for Cities

The age of driverless cars is rapidly approaching, and no one seems to know what to do about it. The technology is picking up steam in the behemoth automotive industry while only a few states have regulations on the books … Continue reading

Posted in Cars, Energy, Government, Land Use, Roads, Sustainability, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Event Notice: Seattle City Council Presentation on Freeway Lids Wednesday

On Wednesday, December 16 at 12pm a group of local designers will present to the Seattle City Council the case for additional freeway lids over Interstate 5 in Downtown. The event will be an informal “lunch and learn”, starting at … Continue reading

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The Case for Lidding I-5 in Downtown Seattle

Amid Seattle’s rapidly growing inner neighborhoods remains the urban scar of Interstate 5, a massive concrete and steel ribbon that is the lasting legacy of 20th century transportation engineers. It helps move thousands of people and tons of freight every … Continue reading

Posted in Biking, Buses, Cars, Editorial, Land Use, Landscape, Megaprojects, Parks, Public Participation, Public Space, Roads, Transportation, Walking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Seattle’s Draft Comprehensive Plan Takes on the Big Issues

By 2040 the Puget Sound region is expected to have a population of 5 million, up from 3.9 million today. Seattle expects to be at the center of this growth and is planning for 120,000 new residents in 70,000 housing units, along with … Continue reading

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Limited Madison BRT Will Still Deliver Great Benefits

On Monday night the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) held its fourth open house on the $120 million bus rapid transit (BRT) project planned for Madison Street. SDOT staff and consultants from Nelson Nygaard chatted with a packed house about … Continue reading

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Efficiency, Equity Discussed at Forum on Seattle’s Transportation Congestion

On Thursday night the University of Washington hosted a lively panel discussion on Seattle’s infamous traffic woes. Organized by The Seattle Times, four experts on transportation debated various solutions for agonizing commutes and how emerging technology will change the way … Continue reading

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New Protected Bike Lanes Open in the University District

Over the last few weeks the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) installed protected bike lane (PBL) projects on both ends of the University District. The neighborhood is popular for bicycle commuting, with over 5,000 bike daily trips to the University … Continue reading

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How Seattle’s Mandatory Affordable Housing Program Will Work

The Seattle City Council is considering a mandatory affordable housing program linked to commercial developments. The program is no longer just a commercial “linkage fee” (otherwise known as an “impact fee” in Washington state), and now consists of two options: developers … Continue reading

Posted in Commercial, Housing, Land Use, Policy, Residential | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Seattle to Acquire Sisley Properties in Roosevelt

On Monday the Seattle City Council will vote on whether to acquire a one-fifth-acre property from Hugh Sisley, an infamous slumlord in the city’s Roosevelt neighborhood. The city has been doing battle with Sisley for years over code violations and … Continue reading

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