Northwest Urbanist
@thenorthwesturbanist.com
Seattle • Scott Bonjukian, father, urban designer, and zoning expert. Housing, transportation, public space, climate, energy, progressive politics, and more in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Leader at @lidi5.org. Blog: thenorthwesturbanist.com
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
Life comes at you fast.
November 21, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Life comes at you fast.
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
Foundations should stop funding groups that advance harmful housing policies.
These left-NIMBY nonprofits dwarf the YIMBY movement w/r/t funding and paid staff.
Great piece from @resnikoff.bsky.social!
www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/philant...
These left-NIMBY nonprofits dwarf the YIMBY movement w/r/t funding and paid staff.
Great piece from @resnikoff.bsky.social!
www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/philant...
Philanthropy Needs to Pick a Side on the Housing Construction Debate
Despite California’s severe housing shortage, foundations are still funding on the wrong side of the housing fight there, guest author Ned Resnikoff writes.
www.insidephilanthropy.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Foundations should stop funding groups that advance harmful housing policies.
These left-NIMBY nonprofits dwarf the YIMBY movement w/r/t funding and paid staff.
Great piece from @resnikoff.bsky.social!
www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/philant...
These left-NIMBY nonprofits dwarf the YIMBY movement w/r/t funding and paid staff.
Great piece from @resnikoff.bsky.social!
www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/philant...
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
My mom-in-law emailed me about this earlier this morning, concerned about my husband and me.
I sent her this highly scientific illustration in response.
I sent her this highly scientific illustration in response.
November 19, 2025 at 10:37 PM
My mom-in-law emailed me about this earlier this morning, concerned about my husband and me.
I sent her this highly scientific illustration in response.
I sent her this highly scientific illustration in response.
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
🎉 It's time to get to work! 🎉 I’d like to introduce my Transition Director and Co-Chairs. I ran for mayor on the vision that we can tackle big challenges, address our affordability crisis, and make our city a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
November 20, 2025 at 12:29 AM
🎉 It's time to get to work! 🎉 I’d like to introduce my Transition Director and Co-Chairs. I ran for mayor on the vision that we can tackle big challenges, address our affordability crisis, and make our city a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
parking mandates are ridiculous, incl. in Chicago
assume a "-3" zoning district, and ignore transit-related rules that eliminate parking requirements:
- theater with 149 seats: no parking required
- indoor pickleball w/space for 149 people: 15 spaces
do infinitely more people drive to pickleball?
assume a "-3" zoning district, and ignore transit-related rules that eliminate parking requirements:
- theater with 149 seats: no parking required
- indoor pickleball w/space for 149 people: 15 spaces
do infinitely more people drive to pickleball?
November 18, 2025 at 11:48 PM
parking mandates are ridiculous, incl. in Chicago
assume a "-3" zoning district, and ignore transit-related rules that eliminate parking requirements:
- theater with 149 seats: no parking required
- indoor pickleball w/space for 149 people: 15 spaces
do infinitely more people drive to pickleball?
assume a "-3" zoning district, and ignore transit-related rules that eliminate parking requirements:
- theater with 149 seats: no parking required
- indoor pickleball w/space for 149 people: 15 spaces
do infinitely more people drive to pickleball?
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
I love how the firefighters union, when confronted with data about the safety of single stair, argue “Well New York and Seattle have good firefighters, unlike here in California where we suck ass at our jobs”
November 18, 2025 at 7:44 PM
I love how the firefighters union, when confronted with data about the safety of single stair, argue “Well New York and Seattle have good firefighters, unlike here in California where we suck ass at our jobs”
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
The Urbanist is almost 12 years old for those keeping count at home.
More than nine years after the process started, the "Save Madison Valley" building is finally getting close to opening its doors to residents.
November 19, 2025 at 12:32 AM
The Urbanist is almost 12 years old for those keeping count at home.
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
After much deliberation and a grueling interview process, I’m pleased to announce that I’ve accepted a new job and will not need any financial support from my parents to cover the high costs of childcare going forward. #AmericanDream #ThisIsYourCity
November 18, 2025 at 4:38 PM
After much deliberation and a grueling interview process, I’m pleased to announce that I’ve accepted a new job and will not need any financial support from my parents to cover the high costs of childcare going forward. #AmericanDream #ThisIsYourCity
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
In other words, we have contributed to strangle the building industry with more restrictive codes just because (not scientific) and it hasn’t made anything safer, just more expensive and unlikely to be built. Maybe that was the goal
per SF Fire Data, since 2003 in pre-1976 high rises (not just condos), there's been
- 0 deaths
- 20 injuries
- ~15 million in property damage (not adjusted for inflation)
This ordinance would hit 9800 units and cost 2.7 billion.
@stephenjacobsmith.com
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
- 0 deaths
- 20 injuries
- ~15 million in property damage (not adjusted for inflation)
This ordinance would hit 9800 units and cost 2.7 billion.
@stephenjacobsmith.com
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
November 19, 2025 at 5:14 AM
In other words, we have contributed to strangle the building industry with more restrictive codes just because (not scientific) and it hasn’t made anything safer, just more expensive and unlikely to be built. Maybe that was the goal
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
I cannot wait to see global travelers for the 2026 World Cup, who are used to walking or taking the train to the stadium, get a deep dose of American reality
November 18, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I cannot wait to see global travelers for the 2026 World Cup, who are used to walking or taking the train to the stadium, get a deep dose of American reality
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
Y'all, we're about to have a mayor who rents (like me and 55% of all Seattleites), who does not own a car (like me), and who isn't a millionaire (like me)! This might be a first for me!
After much deliberation and a grueling interview process, I’m pleased to announce that I’ve accepted a new job and will not need any financial support from my parents to cover the high costs of childcare going forward. #AmericanDream #ThisIsYourCity
November 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Y'all, we're about to have a mayor who rents (like me and 55% of all Seattleites), who does not own a car (like me), and who isn't a millionaire (like me)! This might be a first for me!
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
November 16, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
Seattle used to fund so much transit service until covid (and jenny durkan)
In 2019, almost 75% of the city lived within walking distance of a bus every 10 mins or better. Today, it's only like 50%!
Time to get the buses running again!
In 2019, almost 75% of the city lived within walking distance of a bus every 10 mins or better. Today, it's only like 50%!
Time to get the buses running again!
November 16, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Seattle used to fund so much transit service until covid (and jenny durkan)
In 2019, almost 75% of the city lived within walking distance of a bus every 10 mins or better. Today, it's only like 50%!
Time to get the buses running again!
In 2019, almost 75% of the city lived within walking distance of a bus every 10 mins or better. Today, it's only like 50%!
Time to get the buses running again!
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
![4-panel vertical comic. (1) 100 Years Ago [two people standing next to bicycle with small car nearby] PERSON 1: It’s too dangerous riding a bike with these cars around. I should get a car, too. (2) 50 Years Ago [two people between smaller car and bigger car] PERSON 2 with short hair: Small cars are less safe in collisions with larger vehicles, so I should get a bigger one. (3) Today [two people between big car and even bigger car] PERSON 1: Everyone has huge SUVs now. If I don’t get the biggest one, I’m putting my family at risk. (4) Soon [two people next to large armored car with spiked clubs attached] PERSON 2: If I don’t install more whirling spike clubs, I’ll be destroyed by all the other drivers who...](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreiby6can6k76yzfmv2czxs4pu2l7zie7bqbrpswi7h3ifmiadkuqvu@jpeg)
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
We were on @kuow.org in Seattle talking about LIFE AFTER CARS. Take a listen!
Imagining a Seattle with fewer cars
Nearly one in three Americans don't have a driver's license. But most places in America are still built around cars, including Seattle. We talk to the hosts behind "The War on Cars," about why — and w...
www.kuow.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:21 PM
We were on @kuow.org in Seattle talking about LIFE AFTER CARS. Take a listen!
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
Perfect interview.
People care less about labels than results. I was elected on the promise that all Seattle citizens should have access to a dignified life, regardless of their background or income. #thisisyourcity
youtu.be/TNvmWV78ZlM
youtu.be/TNvmWV78ZlM
Katie Wilson: “What SOCIALISM means to me”
YouTube video by Katie Wilson for Seattle
youtu.be
November 15, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Perfect interview.
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
1. Highways don’t address local transportation needs.
2. Highways are a liability.
3. Highways destroy financial productivity.
4. Highway development is driven by top-down priorities.
2. Highways are a liability.
3. Highways destroy financial productivity.
4. Highway development is driven by top-down priorities.
November 14, 2025 at 11:48 PM
1. Highways don’t address local transportation needs.
2. Highways are a liability.
3. Highways destroy financial productivity.
4. Highway development is driven by top-down priorities.
2. Highways are a liability.
3. Highways destroy financial productivity.
4. Highway development is driven by top-down priorities.
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
US Congress is already discussing reauthorizing transport programs funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021.
Our team @urbaninstitute.bsky.social recommends how Congress should use new legislation to improve effectiveness, environmental sustainability, & access in the transport system ⏬
Our team @urbaninstitute.bsky.social recommends how Congress should use new legislation to improve effectiveness, environmental sustainability, & access in the transport system ⏬
The Reauthorization of Federal Transportation Programs Offers Policymakers an Opportunity to Improve Effectiveness, Environmental Sustainability, and Access
Federal policymakers should consider three strategies to guide deliberations around reauthorization and improvement of Americans’ quality of life.
www.urban.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:50 PM
US Congress is already discussing reauthorizing transport programs funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021.
Our team @urbaninstitute.bsky.social recommends how Congress should use new legislation to improve effectiveness, environmental sustainability, & access in the transport system ⏬
Our team @urbaninstitute.bsky.social recommends how Congress should use new legislation to improve effectiveness, environmental sustainability, & access in the transport system ⏬
Little wet today in Seattle.
November 14, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Little wet today in Seattle.
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
I called Mayor-elect Wilson to extend my congratulations. It’s been a very long time since King County and Seattle have both elected new leaders at the same time. That means we have an opportunity for a true reset, to try new strategies and form new partnerships to tackle our region’s challenges.
November 14, 2025 at 12:22 AM
I called Mayor-elect Wilson to extend my congratulations. It’s been a very long time since King County and Seattle have both elected new leaders at the same time. That means we have an opportunity for a true reset, to try new strategies and form new partnerships to tackle our region’s challenges.
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
Who needs northern lights when we’ve got city lights like this every night in Chicago
November 14, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Who needs northern lights when we’ve got city lights like this every night in Chicago
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
Absolutely insane shit happening in one of the most wealthy countries on earth.
Wealth for the few. Hardship for everyone else.
Wealth for the few. Hardship for everyone else.
401(K) HARDSHIP WITHDRAWALS HIT THE HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE RECORDKEEPING BEGAN
November 14, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Absolutely insane shit happening in one of the most wealthy countries on earth.
Wealth for the few. Hardship for everyone else.
Wealth for the few. Hardship for everyone else.
Reposted by Northwest Urbanist
Exactly this. Katie Wilson has done more for the city of Seattle on policy than Bruce Harrell has 12 years on city council and 4 years as mayor. It was her JumpStart Tax proposal that saved Harrell’s budget this year.
I can't believe Seattle would elect someone with only 15 years experience organizing successful local legislation campaigns.
November 13, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Exactly this. Katie Wilson has done more for the city of Seattle on policy than Bruce Harrell has 12 years on city council and 4 years as mayor. It was her JumpStart Tax proposal that saved Harrell’s budget this year.