Aug 21, 08
Discussions For a Walkable Seattle
How do we produce livable streets and cities? Can Seattle look forward to a position as an international icon of pedestrian-friendly, people-centric urban development? Recently, I've been listening to quite a bit of talk on this topic, and it's a conversation that's bursting with hope for a more exciting, attractive, sustainable – and ultimately more efficient -- Seattle. While we fared pretty well in the national rankings compiled by local...
Seattle's Best Modern Skyscraper
is Two Union Square — at least that’s the word on the street. Designed by NBBJ, completed in 1989; 56 floors, 740 feet tall (third tallest in Seattle), with ~1,100,000 square feet of rentable space. But there’s a pretty...
Seattle Center Plan Approved
On Monday, the Seattle City Council unanimously approved a long-term plan to renovate Seattle Center. The new plan, which was conceived over two years by the 17-person Century 21 Committee, includes a good deal of open park space, seasonal outdoor...
Sidewalks: The City's Problem, and Greenwood's Solution
One idea that Seattle can export to still-developing cities is a solution in negative form: If you don't build sidewalks from the start, installing them later is a costly and intimidating proposition. Mayor Nickels' call for residents to spend less...
Washington Must Lead in LID
Low-impact development (LID) may be transitioning from a smart but voluntary green building option to a local requirement. As P-I reporter Robert McClure wrote on Saturday: In a landmark ruling that could shape Western Washington development for decades to come...
Sidewalks Can Be Cool...So Why Aren't They?
by WB of hugeasscity Cost, you say? Accessibility? Lack of imagination? Oh Europe and your ancient progressive ways… This piece originally appeared on the lovably snarky, local blog hugeasscity.
A Glimpse of Seattle's Architectural Future
When it comes to the intangible feeling that defines a city, it's hard to beat the skyline in terms of first-impression impact. Good architecture creates an urban environment that is both inviting and exciting. And as architects around the world...
Smaller Homes, Bigger Communities
Local architect Ross Chapin and developer Jim Soules have been garnering a lot of impressive media attention recently, for taking the lead – and succeeding wildly – in building beautiful, livable, luxury small homes. The Wall Street Journal discussed their...
Somewhere They've Got it Figured Out
Editor's note: Just as we were posting our earlier note about Seattle's tense bike/car relations, we came across this great photo essay by our friends at the terrific local blog HugeAssCity. HAC offers a stack of images sourced from all...
Safety for Cyclists and Drivers: What's Fair?
In the wake of the recent collisions and confrontation between cyclists and an impatient driver at Capitol Hill's Critical Mass (read the Slog's roundup coverage here), the New York Times reports on rising tensions between cyclists and car-drivers ">around the...
Emerald City: An Environmental History of Seattle
Our cities could be seen as machines for transforming water, biomass and minerals into people and pollution. If we're serious about building a bright green future, we need to redesign those machines, keeping the people, but bringing the mechanism into...
Get Your Tweak On! Joe Bar Offers Free Bike Care While you Caffeinate
On Friday, the Worldchanging Seattle crew decided to conduct our business from Joe Bar, a favorite coffeehouse/creperie located on the north end of Capitol Hill. The lengthy line gave me ample time to scope our their new art display, as...
The Future of Shopping Malls: An Image Essay
By Morgan Greenseth Mall culture in the United States -- at least as we know it -- is coming to an end. Last month, the fall of Steve & Barry's became the next addition to a series of recent retailer...
Emergency Food Services Respond to Bag Fees
Another day, another angle on the disposable shopping bag fee. Today I learned of an issue that not only identifies a real problem … it also offers an opportunity for Seattle's community to respond with solutions that will help everyone...
Spare the Air: Seattle Smog Watch in Effect
(Editor's note: The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency canceled the Smog Watch for King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties on Aug. 7, 2008. Onshore winds are dispersing the air pollution, allowing the Agency to cancel the watch and raise the...
Tell SDOT How to Make Seattle Walkable
The city of Seattle wants to know how, why and where you walk. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is conducting a survey to find out the walking habits of residents all over the city. The results of the survey...
Seattle's 100 Best: Send Us Your Ideas!
On Worldchanging, we're always shouting out the best new ideas and innovations from all around the globe – from South Africa's PlayPump to San Francisco's recent traffic-reduction measures. But now it's time to be a little self-centered: here on our...
Car-Free Sundays: A Business Plan
Want a taste of life in a car-free neighborhood? This August and September, Seattleites will have three chances to experience a major urban corridor where traffic is limited to pedestrians and cyclists. Mayor Nickels announced the events, called "Car-Free Sundays...
Say Goodbye to Free Shopping Bags
Seattle's City Council approved the proposed disposable bag fee yesterday with a 6-1 vote. Starting in January 2009, shoppers will have the option of either bringing their own bags to the store, or paying 20 cents per disposable bag to...
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