Public Policy Board

Architects care about the places they live and have the knowledge and tools to make a difference through design.

Through advocacy, AIA Seattle promotes a well-designed, sustainable city with opportunities for all and creates opportunities for architects to impact public policy and civic issues. Our advocacy agenda spans all scales of design in our city. AIA Seattle’s Public Policy Board (PPB), appointed by our Board of Directors, leads our advocacy efforts. Each fall, the PPB seeks member input on advocacy priorities, then selects a handful of issues as the focus of our work for the coming year.

What we do

• Select a limited number of priority issues for direct advocacy
• Recommend positions on issues for consideration by the AIA Seattle Board; the AIA Seattle Board issues new position statements on behalf of the organization
• Seek input from other design and allied professionals

What we are working on

Ongoing advocacy priorities include:

• Housing: housing availability and affordability; zoning; missing middle housing; growth strategies.
• Sustainable Design: energy codes; building decarbonization; carbon pricing; materials transparency.
• City Design: Seattle’s comprehensive plan; urban design plans; public realm.
• Homelessness: supportive housing/housing first; affordable housing funding; increased mental health services.
• Transportation: transit; walking and rolling; reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips; new mobility.

For more information on the PPB’s priorities, please review AIA Seattle’s Advocacy page.

The Public Policy Board Steering Committee and AIA Seattle do not endorse political candidates or take positions on specific building projects.

Committee members are appointed by the Board President. If you are interested in participating in one of the current policy issue groups or would like to raise an issue for consideration by the Public Policy Board, please contact Melissa Neher, Executive Director.