Mark Hinshaw, FAIA, is an architect and urban planner. He was an architecture critic for The Seattle Times and is the author of many articles and books, including Citistate Seattle (1999).
Commentary: The city has a history of having to retreat from density initiatives because developers make everyone angry with their exploitation of loopholes in rules. Herewith, a preventive prescription to encourage density and quality.
The notion of a "suburb" is history. Diversity, greater density, more shopping and transportation choices are all part of the new identities of the communities around Seattle.
Call it the Tom Douglas Effect: Moves by smart investors are leading to more businesses jumping in.
With tunnel construction bearing down on downtown, will the newly-opened Ferris wheel be enough of a waterfront porch light to draw Seattle's tourist swarms?
Property values in Redmond and Seattle's Capitol Hill used to be equal. The desire for urban density, walkability, and access to parks has now tilted values decisively in city neighborhoods' favor.
