Chop chop: Trump is the new hero of timber country.
Spreading democracy: Seattle’s democracy vouchers are now open to candidates running in the local election for 2017.
Lighter rail rules: The Federal Railroad Administration is set to make Euro-style trains easier to use on American railways; Seattle Transit Blog says that cheaper and flexible diesel multiple units (DMUs) could be used on Sounder and Amtrak Cascades locally.
No smoking: Smoking in public housing will become prohibited under a new federal rule.
Mobile fares: Metro and Sound Transit are rolling out a new digital form of fare payment that you can use on your phone.
Bigger and better: In an opinion to the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce, Clair Enlow says that affordable housing in Seattle is getting bigger and better.
At a crossroads: CityLab looks into the policy credentials of Elaine Chow, who has been nominated for Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation.
“Smart” street furniture: New York City is planning to install “smart” street furniture that will cut down on carbon emissions from idling ambulances.
Bring back democracy: Sightline argues for changing the way that the Electoral College works and highlights alternative voting systems.
Dirty work: Where does dirt go from big Seattle construction projects?
Not invincible: Seattle may be “sanctuary city,” but that doesn’t guarantee immigrants protection from deportation by the federal government.
A new roundabout: The “peanutabout” street design approach could offer better outcomes over the traditional diagonal intersection.
Beneficial preservation: A survey of 50 American cities shows that there are considerable benefits from historic preservation efforts.
Uncertain future: Minneapolis is debating the future of the city’s extensive network of skybridges.
American roads: Vox explains why American roads are so much more dangerous than European ones.
Doubling down: Facebook is expanding in Seattle and plans to lease two more buildings in South Lake Union.
Rethink parking: Strong Towns argues that we should rethink parking as infrastructure.
Graffiti artists: Land use action signs are just another canvas for graffiti artists in Seattle.
Up a creek: What happens when people without cars move to places built for driving?
Homeless encampments: Mayor Ed Murray has announced three new homeless encampment site for Seattle in 2017.
AMZN addiction: America’s addiction to Amazon is clogging up our cities.
MarketShare: Philip Deng is on a mission to turn King Street Station into an immigrant culinary hub.
High-rise to mid-rise: The Puget Sound Business Journal shows the evolution of Martin Selig’s Downtown Seattle Federal Reserve Building redevelopment plans from high-rise to mid-rise.
Super green: Capitol Hill Seattle Blog takes a look at the design of Seattle’ first Passive House-certified mixed-use project.
Retaining housing: Next year, Amsterdam and London will begin capping the number of days short-term vacation rentals like Airbnb are permitted at a residence.
Map of the Week: 30 years of oil and gas pipeline accidents in America mapped.
