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Posts for Design

Building Belonging: Urban Strategies to Combat America's Loneliness Crisis

February 25, 2026  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Design ,  Inclusive Communities

Loneliness is rising in the U.S. and experts say urban design plays a major role. Walkable areas, inviting public spaces, and sociable housing can help rebuild connection and reduce isolation.

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The Connection Between Downtown Safety and Revitalization

March 5, 2025  by  Abby Newbold
Category:  Guest Author ,  Public Safety and Welfare ,  Design ,  Downtown Revitalization Series

Downtown revitalization often depends on public perceptions of safety in the downtown core. Localities can boost public safety through a variety of approaches, from local beautification projects to developing business improvement areas. 

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Leases: A Critical Tool for Clean Buildings Act Compliance

November 13, 2024  by  Nicole DeNamur ,  Erik Jennings
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate and Sustainability ,  Design

The 2019 Clean Buildings Act creates performance standards for energy and water use in buildings. Building owners, including public agencies, can leverage lease agreements to support compliance with the law, reduce risk, and delineate landlord/tenant responsibilities.

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Corner of 4th and Dallas in downtown Camas

Main Street Program Elevates Success for Downtown Camas

May 22, 2024  by  Lisa Pool ,  Carrie Schulstad
Category:  Design ,  Downtown Revitalization Series

Cities and towns can benefit from the Washington State Main Street Program, which offers technical and financial assistance to participating communities looking to revitalize and grow their downtowns. 

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Kids at Vancouver's Esther Short Park

The Importance of Public Space to Downtown Revitalization

April 3, 2024  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Design ,  Parks and Recreation Facilities ,  Downtown Revitalization Series

When looking to revitalize their downtowns, cities and towns can focus on innovative strategies to draw visitors in, such as adding attractive, safe, and enjoyable parks, plazas, and open spaces, or offering programming/recreational activities in existing public spaces.

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An architectural model of a dense area of town

2023 Planning Legislation Impacting Local Governments

September 11, 2023  by  Jill Dvorkin
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Annexation ,  Design ,  Housing ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Common themes among these six new planning-related bills include streamlining local project review, decreasing the planning burden on smaller communities, incentivizing annexations, and increasing housing supply throughout the state.

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Meeting the Challenge of Washington’s New Clean Buildings Standard

March 4, 2021  by  Bonnie Frye Hemphill
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate and Sustainability ,  Design ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations

This blog post will provide an overview of the New Clean Building Standard and how it applies to your publicly owned buildings. 

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The Importance of Urban Design for Your Community

March 16, 2020  by  John Owen
Category:  Guest Author ,  Design

This blog looks at the key components of urban design and the role it plays in healthy communities. 

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The Power of Public Space

August 21, 2017  by  Mark Hinshaw
Category:  Guest Author ,  Design

In this post, guest author and architect Mark Hinshaw looks at the power, and growing popularity, of public spaces. 

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Visualizing Compatible Density

April 10, 2017  by  Bob Bengford
Category:  Guest Author ,  Design

Density is a controversial subject. This post demonstrates that streetscapes, vehicular-access elements, and building design are all components that make developments appear less dense, more livable, and attractive. 

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Planners and Police Officers Working Together to Create Livable and Safe Communities

June 14, 2016  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Design

Using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) planners and police officers are working together more and more to achieve each other’s complementary goals to achieve an inviting and safe community.

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