Transportation & Urban Planning

By Kenneth Chau

Background Info

In the 2019 Capitol hill Neighborhood design guideline, one of the key goals outline in the guideline is to "Incorporate design features that facilitate active forms of transportation such as walking, bicycling and use of transit". (2019, Capitol Hill Neighborhood Design Guidelines). With along additional guideline including planning for bicyclists and connection towards all modes of transportation.  And data for the Us census bureau, on Average, 71.6% commute with car, 3.1% take public transportation, 0.6%  biked, 3.1% walked and 1.1% take other means of transportation. 

Sound transit, One line transit, Light rail. 

Initial Observation 

Reflection Observation 

1.    It was pretty packed for what I recalled, walking around Capitol Hill has a lot of things. Probably the most diverse neighborhood in my opinion, compared to the neighborhood I've been. It's probably most lgbtq+ inclusive, while having the most cultural diversity with the many restaurants we explored in the neighborhood. 

2.    From what I've seen, it pretty much match up to everything I've seen. Or what I've known about Capitol Hill. Before this project, the only time I've heard about Capitol Hill was with Chop, and it's been years since it happen. So going to Capitol Hill with the research I've done was pretty much similar.

3.    From what I expected, there was a lot of avenues of public transportation, we have the traditional public bikes and scooter and bus. However the one thing I wasn't expect was tram system, as I always assume that these thing were outdated, but seeing one in action surprised me. 

4.    How, drastic Capitol Hill can change, when our group went. We saw a drastic change of the city, from a loud and busy streets of the city, to the quiet neighborhood of urban housing, to the peaceful park of volunteer park, it was insane how drastic it can change.


Bikes/Scooters: 4

 I said a 4, as they are widely available mostly everywhere, however there are 3 small barriers that I can think off, as it requires technological device to operate, they require money to use, and there are no bike racks, but they are a useful asset getting around the city. 

Bus and trams: 4

I said a 4 for this one as they are mostly available everywhere, however the only barriers I've said is the cost, time to get to your location and not exactly getting to your location.  

Parking and Roads: 3

 I said 3, it generally depends on how you view things, but I notice that the roads are very small and narrow, make it hard to overtake someone slow, you have to deal traffic and such. There's barely any parking except parallel, which if your uncomfortable, you're out of luck. However, it will get you to your destination, and does suffice.  

Works Cited

U.S. Census Bureau. "Sex of Workers by Means of Transportation to Work." American Community Survey, ACS 1-Year Estimates Detailed Tables, Table B08006, 

2022, https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT1Y2022.B08006?q=washington&t=Commuting&g=050XX00US53033_860XX00US98102,98112,98122. Accessed on November 30, 2023.


“Capitol Hill Design Guidelines Update.” Capitol Hill Design Guidelines Update - OPCD, City of Seattle, 2019, chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglcl

efindmkaj/www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/OPCD/OngoingInitiatives/CapitolHillDesignGuidelines/2019.04CapitolHill_DG.pdf.