Lecture by Seattle’s Planning and Community

Development Director about the “Future of the City”

January 24, 2024

You are invited to a lecture titled “Future of the City: Using Planning to Create a New Vision for Seattle“ on Wednesday, January 24, 6:00-7:30 pm (with a reception to follow), which will be given by Rico Quirindongo, AIA, Director of the City of Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development. It is an in-person event organized by the UW Urban Design and Planning Department’s Professionals Council, which will take place in Architecture Hall (Room 147), University of Washington, 3943 W Stevens Way NE, Seattle.

Rico Quirindongo will be discussing the City of Seattle’s role within the larger framework of growth of the region. He will outline how the City of Seattle plans to implement the Comprehensive Plan and the State’s "middle housing" bill HB 1110. Rico will talk about how the City is hoping to address displacement such that we not only are not pushing out more BIPOC families, but we are also bringing people back. He will consider how we push for social equity and social justice in our planning efforts and how the removal of single-family zoning provides for an opportunity for more equitable neighborhoods. Rico will also explore how the planning profession needs to change and the role of community engagement in the planning process. Finally, he will also consider how we evaluate a city’s success based on how we plan.

About Rico Quirindongo, AIA: He has been working for 30 years to revitalize and reimagine Seattle's historic landmarks and neighborhoods. Rico works with organizations to positively influence communities through design and is committed to the betterment of his hometown, Seattle, through public engagement, design, and civic service. He believes that through vision, authentic community engagement, and multi-agency cross-collaboration, opportunities for social change can be realized through community-invested civic projects.

Rico was chair of the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority Council, a Downtown Seattle Association board member, and AIA Seattle President in 2012-13. He was a founding member of the National Organization of Minority Architects Northwest Chapter. Rico sat on the AIA+2030 national steering committee, a group that has seen to it that 24 cities nationally provided curriculum to help design teams and owners meet the 2030 Challenge and create carbon-neutral built environment projects.

For More Information and to Register: Please view this link.