The Urbanist 2023 Year In Pictures

While we spend a lot of thought and effort on the words that go into The Urbanist‘s articles, the internet is still a visual medium. Some 1,600 images went through the publication over the last 12 months. They tell a story of a weird year. The memories of highs and rollicking events. The passing of moments that went too quickly or not quickly enough. The reminder of foods engorged. Good times. Here’s some of the snaps that we liked the most in 2023.

Our Favorites: January through March

Four people on scooters zip across the plaza with a glass tower and older midrise brick buildings along Pacific Avenue in the background. — Tolleson Plaza is more of shortcut than a place. (Doug Trumm)

Tolleson Plaza is more of shortcut than a place. (Doug Trumm)

Our Favorites: April through June

In an effort to experience urbanism in all forms, an upcoming article will review this month’s Phish show, whose tickets were acquired because of our writing about the renovated Climate Pledge Arena. This was a Very Important social event, vital to the life of the city, and an upcoming column will cover the specifics. (Ray Dubicki)

Our Favorites July through September

Bicycle with saddlebags barely fits on the 3.5 foot Warren Avenue Bridge crossing. — Currently, the Warren Avenue Bridge pedestrian/bicycle crossing width is 3.5 feet wide. (Travis Merrigan)

Currently, the Warren Avenue Bridge pedestrian/bicycle crossing width is 3.5 feet wide. (Travis Merrigan)

Our Favorites October through December

Connecting between the bus mall on Third Avenue and the Link station below is made more difficult by Benaroya Hall’s decision to close its elevator most of the day. (Doug Trumm)

Special Recognition: Photo Essays

Every year, we get a couple of really good photo essays and 2023 was no exception. From a new art space in Ballard to a new convention center Downtown, The Urbanist‘s reporters had a lot of places to explore. Here are four of our favorites.

Inside Look at Seattle’s New Convention Center Expansion, by Ryan Packer and Ray Dubicki – January 29, 2023

View from The Hillclimb main staircase in the Summit convention center expansion. (Ryan Packer)

Seattle Street Ends: West Seattle to South Park, by John Feit – March 30, 2023

Water access is a key benefit of street ends, and the boat ramp at South Michigan (Street End #28) supports deploying vessels of all sizes. (John Feit)

Into the Slop: A New Type of Music and Art Space Opens in Ballard, by Ray Dubicki – April 3, 2023

Graffiti art featuring work by the MRSA crew: Guido, Due, Dotcom, Creature Panic, Vid Kid. Slop Gallery. (Ray Dubicki)

Photo Tour: Discovery Park in Its Full Summer Glory, by Doug Trumm – July 2, 2023

Now that’s a view: Magnolia Bluffs with wildflowers and Elliott Bay in the distance. (Doug Trumm)

Illustrations

Finally, there are times that pictures and words don’t combine to get the exact image that’s required for a story. So we have to put in some effort to illustrate it. The Urbanist does frequently share the skilled work of architects and designers who use graphics to round out their own reports. Sometimes we have to try and keep up with them to make an illustration in-house. Or make a new illustration to cut through the gobbledygook they’re shoveling. Here are a few from the year.