Sound Transit's next light rail system extension will happen in 2021, with new stations opening in the University District, Roosevelt neighborhood, and Northgate. Existing light rail stations already exist, from the newly opened UW Stadium station down to Sea-Tac Airport. When a light rail station opens, it means some big changes will be occurring in the immediate neighborhood, usually in the form of new residential and commercial development. 

This program challenges youth to think about how urban design and planning policies we put in place today can shape or change a neighborhood many years into the future. Participants will be shown images of the study area (Seattle’s Roosevelt neighborhood) as it looks today, and asked to think about what it might look like when the Roosevelt light rail station opens in 2021.

This program is intended for ages 12-17, or students in middle school and high school.

In partnership with American Planning Association – Washington Chapter, Youth in Planning Task Force [APA-WA] and a program of 2016 Seattle Design Festival

When a light rail station opens, it means some big changes will be occurring in the immediate neighborhood, usually in the form of new residential and commercial development. Students will imagine the future of a neighborhood facing these types of changes: What should stay the same? What might be different? How can we make sure everyone feels welcome? Students will discuss these issues with practicing urban planners and designers, and then represent their own ideas through sketches, three-dimensional models, and presentations. 

To kick off our Fall and Winter Youth and Family Program schedule, this program will be free with registration. Snacks will be provided. Students are encouraged to bring their own lunches.

With hovercars and self-driving cars, we have been dreaming of how to make our transportation machines more technologically futuristic. How will these new cars change infrastructure such as roads and highways? In this program, students will design their own futuristic cars, as well as learn about transportation infrastructure systems. Students will discuss these issues with practicing designers, and represent their own ideas through sketches, three-dimensional models, and presentations. 

Affordable housing is a controversial and urgent topic in our city and across our nation. In this program, students will learn about how architects, designers and urban planners are addressing ways to reduce the cost of housing and increase housing opportunities in dense cities by rethinking how we build and maintain structures. Students will discuss these issues with practicing designers, and represent their own ideas through sketches, three-dimensional models, and presentations. 

With hovercars and self-driving cars, we have been dreaming of how to make our transportation machines more technologically futuristic. How will these new cars change infrastructure such as roads and highways? In this program, students will design their own futuristic cars, as well as learn about transportation infrastructure systems. Students will discuss these issues with practicing designers, and represent their own ideas through sketches, three-dimensional models, and presentations. 

This workshop will focus on the design of public spaces such as parks, streets and roads, and how designers and architects can improve the accessibility in these spaces. Students will learn about ADA/Wheelchair accessibility standards, the implementation of bike lanes on roads, different models of public rest-stops, and more. Students will discuss these issues with practicing designers, and represent their own ideas through sketches, three-dimensional models, and presentations. 

Vernacular architecture is an architectural style that is designed based on the local availability of construction materials to the geography, as well as to the local needs of the population.  Students will learn about architectural design specific to Washington’s natural resources and industry, and how it compares and differs to other places, in and outside of the U.S. Students will discuss these issues with practicing designers, and represent their own ideas through sketches, three-dimensional models, and presentations.