Making Room for Housing

To Be Done Studio collaborated with The Urban Institute research and design teams to create detailed visualizations of the proposed planning policy reforms. These visualizations were designed to bring these exciting proposals to life and give them tangible form.

The Puget Sound region, nestled between the Cascades and the Olympic Mountains, offers natural beauty, a mild climate, and a robust job market, making it one of the nation's most attractive metropolitan areas. However, rapid growth has led to a decline in housing affordability, with current zoning laws near new transit hubs limiting housing density and increasing costs. This situation presents a unique opportunity to implement sustainable design solutions that promote social and environmental equity.

By re-imagining land-use policies, we can create vibrant, inclusive communities that provide accessible housing options for all residents. Aligning housing development with planned transit expansions will not only address affordability but also foster environmentally sustainable living.

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Legalize. This reform would allow multi-family housing on parcels currently zoned exclusively for commercial or public uses within a half mile of stations

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Plexify. Allowing two- to four-unit buildings could make the most difference in high-wealth suburban communities like Bellevue, Lake Forest Park, and Redmond, which have restricted much of their land area to only allow the construction of single-family homes.

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Multiply. Allowing high-density housing near transit could effectively meet demand, especially in the city of Seattle, since recent development has focused on high-density apartments next to stations.

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Missing Middle. Allowing small-scale apartment buildings on small lots would benefit cities and towns throughout the region, bridging the gap between single-family homes and larger apartment buildings.

Implementing these strategies will enhance housing accessibility and affordability, reflecting our commitment to thoughtful design that uplifts and supports the communities we serve.

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