Article chronicling the collaborative efforts behind the Washington State Zoning Atlas wins top award
The Washington State Zoning Atlas (WAZA) is an interactive online tool and downloadable database that standardizes complex local zoning and land-use codes from across Washington state.
Funded by the Washington Department of Commerce, the project was built by Western Washington University urban planning faculty and students, in collaboration with two Seattle consulting firms — MAKERS architecture and urban design and BHC Consultants — as well as the University of Washington’s Natural Resource Spatial Informatics Group and urban planning faculty and students from Eastern Washington University, and the University of Washington’s Seattle and Tacoma campuses.
This innovative tool makes map-based comparisons between jurisdictions easier, more accessible and understandable for everyone.
An article co-authored by Tammi Laninga, WWU professor of urban planning and sustainable development, has been awarded The Western Planner’s Stan Steadman Article of the Year.
“The Complete (Zoning) Picture: Collaboration is Key to Washington’s new online Zoning Atlas” explores the motivations behind the 18-month project, shares insights into its development, and highlights the creative partnership that made it possible.
“It’s an honor to receive this recognition, which celebrates not only the hard work of dozens of students, faculty, and collaborators, but also highlights the value of the Washington Zoning Atlas as an important tool,” said Laninga. “One of the most fascinating aspects of the project was students discovering quickly how complex zoning can be. Distilling hundreds of unique codes into a standardized system was no small feat. That challenge became a learning experience that our students will take with them in their careers.”
The Western Planner organization serves planners, tribes, government agencies and non-profits across 13 states in the western half of the U.S., including Alaska.
The annual Stan Steadman Article of the Year award, named for The Western Planner’s founder, honors the article that offers practical solutions and fosters collaboration between planners and their communities. The award will be presented at the Western Planner conference in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in August.
Learn more about Urban Planning and Sustainable Development bachelor’s and master’s programs on the College of the Environment website.
Jennifer Nerad covers Western's College of the Environment and College of Business and Economics for the Office of University Communications. Have a great story idea? Reach out to her at neradj@wwu.edu.