News Archive
Renewable City
Posted: March 18, 2010
Ideas to Repurpose Vacant Urban Spaces
We are living a new economic paradigm, with profound impacts on our built environment. To what creative uses can we put vacant or underutilized buildings? Can partially constructed projects contribute to, rather than diminish, our neighborhoods? Are there more constructive uses for vacant lots than just another parking lot? How might we rethink outmoded infrastructure? How does the new economy create opportunities for lean, fresh solutions to our urban problems?
Comments on PSRC’s 2040 Transportation Plan due March 9
Posted: March 05, 2010
PSRC’s draft Transportation 2040 plan is ready for review and comment. It is an action plan for transportation in the central Puget Sound region for the next 30 years. The comment period will run from January 22 to March 9, 2010. PSRC's Transportation Policy Board will go over comments that they received on March 11, 2010.
Portland State University Climate Change Adaptation Planner Survey
Posted: March 04, 2010
The Portland State University Intelligent Transportation Laboratory, in cooperation the Northwest Transportation Consortium and the Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium (OTREC), is currently conducting research on climate change impacts on surface transportation in the Pacific Northwest. As part of this research, the research team are contacting planners with a brief (5-10 minutes) survey to determine what, if any, activities are being done in regards to climate change adaptation and to identify the tools and resources planners need to effectively plan for climate change adaptation.
Survey Link: https://survey.oit.pdx.edu/ss/wsb.dll/s/2bfg11d2
Additional information about this research project and the research team, visit: http://its.pdx.edu/climatechange/index.php
Brown Bag Series: Planning and Food Policy
Posted: February 24, 2010
Presented by Andrea Petzel and Laura Raymond - City of Seattle, Branden Born - University of Washington and Kara Martin - Martin and Sanders Consulting
February 17, 12:00-1:30 PM
Mercer Island City Council Chambers, 9611 SE 36th St.
This session will focus on how to incorporate food systems policy into local planning processes. The panel presentation will include background on food security and access issues in King County and the city of Seattle, as well as research and case studies for neighborhood development programs that have increased the supply of healthy food in traditionally underserved neighborhoods.
Visit washington-apa.org/sections/pugetsound/ for more information.
Brown Bag Series: Greening of Non-profits
Posted: February 17, 2010
Presented by Kate Stineback - Capitol Hill Housing, Tom Gaylord, Jonathon Wright and Kelly Morgan - Habitat for Humanity
February 24, 12:00-1:30 PM
Mercer Island City Council Chambers, 9611 SE 36th St.
A view through the lens of the State of Washington Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard. Discussion will include ways that City and County jurisdictions can encourage sustainable development in affordable housing through the use of various incentives, waivers in the development and permitting process and the philosophy for choosing green products and house features.
Visit washington-apa.org/sections/pugetsound/ for more information.
Brown Bag Series: Planning in the Vicinity of Transmission Pipelines
Posted: February 11, 2010
Presented by Jim Doherty, MRSC and Carl Weimer, Pipeline Safety Trust
February 17, 12:00-1:30 PM
Renton City Hall, 1055 S. Grady, 7th floor
This session will present information concerning a broad range of “recommended practices” for land development near major energy pipelines, including zoning, permitting procedures and the need to adopt a risk informed approach that reflects the unique risks of transmission pipelines.
Visit washington-apa.org/sections/pugetsound/ for more information.
Join the Communication Committee!
Posted: February 09, 2010
The Chapter’s Communication Committee is meeting at Burien City Hall on Friday March 19th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We will be discussing communication ideas and strategies as well as the development of a communication plan. New volunteers are welcome to join!
AICP CM Credits Approved for Winter 2010 Brown Bag Series
Posted: February 05, 2010
AICP CM credits have been approved for four of the five sessions in the Winter 2010 Brown Bag Series. Here are the four sessions that have been approved:
- Jan 27, 2010 – Manufactured housing community preservation: the tight-wire act
- Feb 17, 2010 – Planning in the Vicinity of Transmission Pipelines
- Feb 24, 2010 – Greening of Non-profits
- Mar 3, 2010 – Planning and Food Policy
Smarter development and green building are key for climate change results
Posted: February 04, 2010
Congressman Inslee and other leaders discuss climate change solutions at national conference in Seattle, February 6. More than 70 percent of U.S. carbon emissions comes from buildings and transportation combined, so it's clear that both how and where we build must be part of the solution to reducing the greenhouse gases that cause climate change.
This challenge for new development practices and transportation alternatives is particularly critical in the Puget Sound region, which will grow by 1.5 million people in 20 years. Federal, state and local governments here and around the country are proposing and implementing plans to address climate change mitigation, but how often do these plans include smart-growth development and green-building solutions?
PSS News: January – March 2010
Posted: February 02, 2010
As Puget Sound municipalities confront deep budget cuts heading into 2010, this issue features some adaptations planners have taken to move forward. The APA Legislative Committee will advocate for the passage of a few smart growth bills, for example. The City of Tukwila is “recalibrating” its efforts to redevelop one of the region’s major commercial centers. Pierce County is in the midst of major permitting system overhauls. Though far from an ideal setting to start the new year, these examples highlight steps Puget Sound Planners are taking to maintain resiliency in 2010.
NCI Charrette Training discounts for APA Washington members
Posted: January 28, 2010
Register for the NCI Charrette System™ Certificate and/or the NCI Charrette Management and Facilitation™ Certificate training before 2/12/10 and save. Additional discounts are available for non-profits, CNU members, APA Washington members and others. Earn up to 27 AICP, AIA and ASLA continuing education credits.
Adding a NCI certificate to your credentials can improve your competitive advantage. Become a member of the select group of only 300 people who will earn a NCI certificate this year. As a participant in a NCI course you will join 31 other experienced professionals working intensively on hands-on case study exercises.
This March in Portland is one of only three opportunities this year to attend both of these valuable trainings. Sign up for these intensive, hands-on workshops and learn how to plan and manage projects using the proven NCI Charrette System™. With an uncertain economy and abounding political conflicts, the NCI Charrette System™ is more relevant and needed than ever. Learn more and register now to save.
2009 Conference Article
Posted: December 22, 2009
Link to Northwest Hub's article on the 2009 APA Washington Conference.
2009 APA/PAW Planning Awards
Posted: November 30, 2009
The American Planning Association and the Planning Association of Washington are proud to announce the 2009 Planning Awards recipients that were just presented at the APA Fall Conference in Vancouver, Washington, on November 13, 2009.
Project Winners were announced in seven different categories, and Honorable Mention project selections were also presented in 4 of the same categories. Winning and Honorable Mention projects came from large and small cities, a Native American Tribe, as well as urban, suburban, and rural settings, both east and west of the Cascades. Jury members were Hiller West of the City of Monroe, Pete Dickinson of the City of Pullman, Amy Tousley of Puget Sound Energy, Ted Gage of the Samish Tribe, Steve Lancaster of the City of Mercer Island, Ken Kuhn of the Planning Association of Washington Board, Lloyd Skinner of ESA & Associates, and Crilly Ritz of Snohomish County. Thanks to all jury members for their hard work and dedication.
Call for Submittals: Design Competition in Historic Downtown Vancouver
Posted: November 24, 2009
Each year, the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission hosts outreach and educational events intended to raise awareness of preservation issues. In 2010, the Commission is holding a design competition with a historic preservation twist.
For this competition, the Historic Preservation Commission has been awarded grant funds, and has partnered with the City of Vancouver, the AIA, and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation. The competition will generate inspired ideas for new development in historic, downtown Vancouver.
$10 Million in Puget Sound Watershed Funding - EPA Accepting Proposals Until 1/5/2010
Posted: November 06, 2009
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency yesterday announced that it is now accepting proposals for $10 million in grant dollars targeted specifically to protect and restore Puget Sound watersheds.
Tribes, local governments and special purpose districts are eligible to apply directly for funding. Proposals must be submitted by January 5, 2010. EPA is holding a workshop to answer questions about the solicitation and grant program criteria on Monday, November 16, 2009 at 1:00 pm.