Seattle Urbanism Guide#
Ever been to a city meeting where everyone seemed to speak a different language? This guide is the dictionary – and the map. Whether you care about housing costs, bus routes, bike lanes, or your neighborhood’s future, start here.
Seattle is changing fast – new transit lines, zoning reforms, housing policy – and it can be hard to know where to jump in. This guide exists so that when you show up to a community meeting, open house, or public comment period, you can follow the conversation and contribute meaningfully.
Who this is for#
- You’ve been to a community meeting and felt like everyone else knew something you didn’t
- You care about housing, transit, or walkability but feel lost in the jargon
- You want to get involved in Seattle’s future but aren’t sure where to start
New here? Three steps to get started#
- Read the Quick Start – understand who runs what and what the big debates are
- Browse the Glossary – look up terms like ADU, SEPA, and MHA in plain language
- Pick a topic guide – dive deep on the issue you care about most
How to use this guide#
Quick Start#
Start here
A plain-language overview of Seattle’s urban landscape – who decides what, what’s being built, and what the big debates are.
Guides#
Deep dive
In-depth guides on transit, housing, the bike network, and other urbanism topics – with history, data, and resources.
Get Involved#
Take action
Find advocacy organizations working on transit, housing, and walkability in Seattle.
Data#
Quick reference
Access public dashboards and reports on transportation, housing, and planning from city, county, regional, and state sources.
Recommended Reading#
Quick reference
Publications and writers covering Seattle urbanism – The Urbanist, Seattle Transit Blog, and more.
Common questions#
Not sure where to start? Pick the question closest to yours:
- “Why is housing so expensive?” – Housing & Zoning glossary and the Public Housing guide
- “What’s happening with light rail?” – Light Rail guide and the Timeline
- “How do I have a say in what gets built?” – Quick Start: Getting involved and Get Involved
- “What do all these acronyms mean?” – Glossary – plain-language definitions of every term
- “Is my neighborhood going to change?” – Station Area Planning guide and Commercial Zoning guide
- “How do I get around without a car?” – Mass Transit guide, Bike Network guide, and Micro Mobility guide
About this guide#
This is a reference guide – a place to build your understanding so you can engage with your community more effectively. For ongoing news, see Recommended Reading. To take action, see Get Involved.
If something is wrong, incomplete, or confusing, let us know.