Advocacy

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 and creates opportunities for architects to prosper. Our advocacy agenda spans all scales of design in our city. AIA Seattle’s Public Policy Board (PPB) 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.

Support I-1631, the climate fee ballot initiative

AIA Seattle has endorsed Washington Initiative 1631, the Protect Washington Act, which would establish a carbon fee to reduce incentives for fossil fuel use, generate funds to invest in renewable resources and promote energy efficiency. For more information, and to find out how to get involved, click here.

Advocacy Interests Survey

Are you interested in receiving advocacy information straight to your inbox? Take this 5-question survey to subscribe to our new Advocacy Update Enewsletter and let us know your advocacy interests.

Ongoing Advocacy Priorities Include:

• City Design
• Housing
• Homelessness
• Sustainable Design
• Seattle Central Waterfront

Latest

• Express your opinion on Mandatory Housing Affordability at a Seattle City Council Public Hearing in your Council District.
• Join AIA Seattle’s Homelessness Task Force.
• AIA Seattle reaffirms commitment to combating climate change

Updates

• AIA Initiative to combat school violence through design; SDCI responds to complaints against Accela portal, SDF 2018, & more – August 2018
• I-1631 reaches the November ballot, discussions on B&O tax reform continue, & the 2030 Challenge Pilot Program – July 2018
• Mass Timber, Early Community Outreach for Design Review, Seattle’s ADU Draft EIS, MHA, & opportunities to get involved – June 2018
• I-1631 Endorsement, Seattle Climate Action Plan, & Waterfront Local Improvement District (LID) – May 2018
• Climate Initiatives, Parking Reform, Advocacy Events & More – April 2018
• Passing of the Capital Budget, Climate and Housing Initiatives, & More – March 2018
• 2018 Legislative Session, Shift Zero, & Local News + Events – February 2018
• Capital Budget Passes, Parking Reform, Housing, & More – January 2018
• New Advocacy Update Enewsletter, Capital Budget, 2018 Priorities, & more – December 2017
• AIA Seattle Homelessness Task Force, Capital Budget, & Advocacy Opportunities – September 2017
• Summer 2017 Advocacy Updates – Mayoral Forum, Capital Budget & more – July 2017
• Seattle Mayoral Candidates Forum on the Built Environment – July 17, 2017
• Comment on Seattle’s MHA Draft EIS – June 2017
• Seattle’s Next MHA + Upzone Area: Chinatown/International District – May 2017
• What’s Happening With the Waterfront? – May 2017
• City Council Votes on HALA-related rezones for downtown and SLU – April 2017
• Federal, State and Local Advocacy Updates – and a New Advocacy Manager – March 2017
• HALA: What’s Happening Now – February 2017
• Carbon Pricing Discussions in Olympia – January 2017
• Endorsement of I-732, Action on Transit, Living Buildings and more – September 2016
• Opposing Initiative 122 and other advocacy issues – May 2016

State Advocacy

AIA Washington Council is hard at work for you, promoting legislation on green buildings and livable places, supporting a sustainable state economy, and protecting your ability to practice architecture. Learn more at aiawa.org.

National Advocacy

The AIA represents the interests of architects before federal government and policy-making bodies. This outreach, coupled with sustained member participation and active involvement in the political process, enables the AIA to advocate on behalf of legislative, regulatory, and related issues important to AIA members. Learn more at aia.org.

Contact

For additional information on AIA Seattle public policy priorities and activities, or to share your views as an AIA Seattle member, contact Manager of Policy & Advocacy Kirsten Smith.