Chris Karnes
@tacomatransit.bsky.social
Member of the Tacoma Planning Commission. A lifelong advocate for sustainability, climate action, and transit. 🏳️🌈♾️ ckarnes.com
Pinned
Chris Karnes
@tacomatransit.bsky.social
· Nov 23
Huge win for #Tacoma! 🎉 After 5 yrs, Home in Tacoma passes, opening the door to more walkable #transit-oriented neighborhoods with #affordablehousing. 🌲🚗 Reduced parking reqs & tree protections https://ckarnes.com/home-in-tacoma-final-passage/
Reposted by Chris Karnes
Remember this picture, & others like it, every time you hear someone in your city say "we're not Amsterdam."
This was #Amsterdam in the 1970s.
Many of the cities we admire made better choices regarding cars in the past. and are still making better choices today.
Better choices instead of excuses.
This was #Amsterdam in the 1970s.
Many of the cities we admire made better choices regarding cars in the past. and are still making better choices today.
Better choices instead of excuses.
November 30, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Remember this picture, & others like it, every time you hear someone in your city say "we're not Amsterdam."
This was #Amsterdam in the 1970s.
Many of the cities we admire made better choices regarding cars in the past. and are still making better choices today.
Better choices instead of excuses.
This was #Amsterdam in the 1970s.
Many of the cities we admire made better choices regarding cars in the past. and are still making better choices today.
Better choices instead of excuses.
What is an indefinite "emergency pause" of the law? That is just anarchy.
November 7, 2025 at 8:03 PM
What is an indefinite "emergency pause" of the law? That is just anarchy.
Who needs sleep when you have #silksong on #nintendoswitch?
September 24, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Who needs sleep when you have #silksong on #nintendoswitch?
Home in Tacoma expanded corner retail, eating & drinking, office, personal services, craft production and live/work in residential zones back in December. Was not controversial. cms.tacoma.gov/Planning/Aff...
September 20, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Home in Tacoma expanded corner retail, eating & drinking, office, personal services, craft production and live/work in residential zones back in December. Was not controversial. cms.tacoma.gov/Planning/Aff...
August 4, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Nearly two years after T-Line opened for service, we are now seeing realtime arrival flowing from the OneBusAway API to Transit App and map applications. Better late than never! #transit #tacoma #tline #soundtransit pugetsound.onebusaway.org#40_TLINE
Onebusaway for Puget Sound
pugetsound.onebusaway.org
August 4, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Nearly two years after T-Line opened for service, we are now seeing realtime arrival flowing from the OneBusAway API to Transit App and map applications. Better late than never! #transit #tacoma #tline #soundtransit pugetsound.onebusaway.org#40_TLINE
Using AI and a Bike to Help Fix Tacoma's Potholes
ckarnes.com/how-to-fight...
#tacoma #computervision #ai
ckarnes.com/how-to-fight...
#tacoma #computervision #ai
July 3, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Using AI and a Bike to Help Fix Tacoma's Potholes
ckarnes.com/how-to-fight...
#tacoma #computervision #ai
ckarnes.com/how-to-fight...
#tacoma #computervision #ai
New on the #blog: Time to reform Tacoma's Crossroads Centers #PeopleOverPavement
Time to reform Tacoma's Crossroads Centers
Despite efforts to promote more pedestrian-friendly design and mixed-use development compatible with cities, the dominance of car-centric infrastructure ultimately undermines community goals.
ckarnes.com
December 26, 2024 at 6:29 PM
New on the #blog: Time to reform Tacoma's Crossroads Centers #PeopleOverPavement
Eliminating parking requirements generates more housing than other zoning reforms. Tacoma did just that within 1/2 mile of transit corridors.
IMPORTANT NEW STUDY: Fully flexible parking rules would result in MORE NEW HOMES than legalizing granny flats & larger multifamily buildings near transit combined, even if every new building still included some amount of parking.
The #PowerOfParking. @sightline.org
www.sightline.org/2024/12/10/p...
The #PowerOfParking. @sightline.org
www.sightline.org/2024/12/10/p...
December 13, 2024 at 1:15 AM
Eliminating parking requirements generates more housing than other zoning reforms. Tacoma did just that within 1/2 mile of transit corridors.
My bus stop has intact glass ✨ on all sides #truestory #transit
December 13, 2024 at 1:02 AM
My bus stop has intact glass ✨ on all sides #truestory #transit
Read a good book lately? Try 22,000+ pages! Your volunteer Planning Commission is deep into reviewing the draft Comp Plan update & the Chair is digging into the DEIS for Tacoma Dome Link Extension. #TacomaPlanning #CityBuilding 🏗️📚 #LightRail
December 6, 2024 at 9:34 AM
Read a good book lately? Try 22,000+ pages! Your volunteer Planning Commission is deep into reviewing the draft Comp Plan update & the Chair is digging into the DEIS for Tacoma Dome Link Extension. #TacomaPlanning #CityBuilding 🏗️📚 #LightRail
This is essentially reinforcing the findings of Newman and Kenworthy (1989). The mathematics are clear.
66.media.tumblr.com/152141211660...
66.media.tumblr.com/152141211660...
November 29, 2024 at 9:58 AM
This is essentially reinforcing the findings of Newman and Kenworthy (1989). The mathematics are clear.
66.media.tumblr.com/152141211660...
66.media.tumblr.com/152141211660...
Reposted by Chris Karnes
NEW STUDY: What matters more for public transit ridership? Frequency or coverage? No surprise— “We find that both factors are strong predictors of transit ridership, with service frequency having a larger impact.”
Plan resources accordingly. #FrequencyIsFreedom www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Plan resources accordingly. #FrequencyIsFreedom www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
November 28, 2024 at 11:33 PM
NEW STUDY: What matters more for public transit ridership? Frequency or coverage? No surprise— “We find that both factors are strong predictors of transit ridership, with service frequency having a larger impact.”
Plan resources accordingly. #FrequencyIsFreedom www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Plan resources accordingly. #FrequencyIsFreedom www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Chris Karnes
✨️Finland’s “Housing First” policy treats #housing as a basic right, offering permanent homes to the homeless before addressing other issues like employment or health. Cities worldwide can adopt this by prioritizing #affordablehousing, reducing bureaucracy, and funding wraparound support services. 👇🏼
HOUSING THE HOMELESS SAVES MONEY IN FINLAND: “a recent study showed the savings in emergency healthcare, social services & the justice system totalled as much as €15,000 a year for every homeless person in properly supported housing.”
It works AND it saves money.
www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/...
It works AND it saves money.
www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/...
'It’s a miracle': Helsinki's radical solution to homelessness
Finland is the only EU country where homelessness is falling. Its secret? Giving people homes as soon as they need them – unconditionally
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2024 at 2:35 PM
✨️Finland’s “Housing First” policy treats #housing as a basic right, offering permanent homes to the homeless before addressing other issues like employment or health. Cities worldwide can adopt this by prioritizing #affordablehousing, reducing bureaucracy, and funding wraparound support services. 👇🏼
Reposted by Chris Karnes
Norway believes in collective prosperity. What starts with the nationalization of subsurface resources eventually leads to climate action.
94% is only possible in Norway due to a cascade of policies that reach far beyond the environment.
94% is only possible in Norway due to a cascade of policies that reach far beyond the environment.
NORWAY: “Despite winding back some tax benefits, EVs accounted for 94% of new car sales in October — almost 2x China’s rate — putting the country within reach of a goal to stop adding combustion engines next year.”
Norway is on the cusp of an all-EV car market. www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Norway is on the cusp of an all-EV car market. www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
This Is What the World’s First All-EV Car Market Looks Like
Norway is on the cusp of completing a transition away from combustion cars thanks to targeted incentives that made electrics an easy choice
www.bloomberg.com
November 29, 2024 at 2:19 AM
Norway believes in collective prosperity. What starts with the nationalization of subsurface resources eventually leads to climate action.
94% is only possible in Norway due to a cascade of policies that reach far beyond the environment.
94% is only possible in Norway due to a cascade of policies that reach far beyond the environment.
Glad that this is a thing. Good planning can seriously cut emissions over time. Tacoma's Climate Action Plan relies on mode shifting and urban infill as key strategies to fight climate change.
Nearly 60% of people live in cities, and 70% of the world's GHG emissions come from urban areas - so I'm delighted to co-curate a new starter pack with urban planner + smart city advocate @brenttoderian.bsky.social! It's full of people & organizations at the nexus of cities and climate action. ⬇️
November 29, 2024 at 9:18 AM
Glad that this is a thing. Good planning can seriously cut emissions over time. Tacoma's Climate Action Plan relies on mode shifting and urban infill as key strategies to fight climate change.
Reposted by Chris Karnes
You wanna know how to actually do this? Do things in house! The American process of subcontracting every choice is why it costs so much to build anything here!
If the U.S. could build metros at the same cost as Rennes' metro, the country could construct 239 miles of subway and 418 stations every year for just 50% of its annual spending on new highways and roads.
November 27, 2024 at 4:43 PM
You wanna know how to actually do this? Do things in house! The American process of subcontracting every choice is why it costs so much to build anything here!
I was diagnosed ~1 yr ago. My #autism "just" looks like a passionate interest in urban policy
However
- "normal" levels of social activity can lead to burnout
- Social cues are the first thing I drop when my mind gets busy
- I avoid having lights on in my house
- It can take hours to draft an email
However
- "normal" levels of social activity can lead to burnout
- Social cues are the first thing I drop when my mind gets busy
- I avoid having lights on in my house
- It can take hours to draft an email
"You don't look autistic" is something I hear a lot, so I want to share what my #autism looks like. Encourage others to quote and share their own.
November 27, 2024 at 9:17 PM
I was diagnosed ~1 yr ago. My #autism "just" looks like a passionate interest in urban policy
However
- "normal" levels of social activity can lead to burnout
- Social cues are the first thing I drop when my mind gets busy
- I avoid having lights on in my house
- It can take hours to draft an email
However
- "normal" levels of social activity can lead to burnout
- Social cues are the first thing I drop when my mind gets busy
- I avoid having lights on in my house
- It can take hours to draft an email
The land area of Tacoma is 49.71 sq miles, similarly 7x7 miles. Miles of bus lanes? Zero. We can and must do better.
In our 7x7 mile city, SF now has 75 miles of transit-only lanes. Result:
- Buses up to 35% faster
- 50% reduction in injury collisions on transit corridors
- Highest public approval rating since 2001
- Over 10 lines exceeding pre-COVID ridership
www.sfmta.com/blog/decade-...
- Buses up to 35% faster
- 50% reduction in injury collisions on transit corridors
- Highest public approval rating since 2001
- Over 10 lines exceeding pre-COVID ridership
www.sfmta.com/blog/decade-...
A Decade of Change: How Muni Forward is Transforming San Francisco
www.sfmta.com
November 27, 2024 at 9:04 AM
The land area of Tacoma is 49.71 sq miles, similarly 7x7 miles. Miles of bus lanes? Zero. We can and must do better.
Fun fact: There are only 2️⃣ jobs per acre at the Port of #Tacoma. "Transit-oriented manufacturing" as staff call it, could boost the economy and improve equity. It's part of our push for a Green Economy in the One Tacoma Plan. www.cityoftacoma.org/UserFiles/Se...
November 23, 2024 at 3:11 AM
Fun fact: There are only 2️⃣ jobs per acre at the Port of #Tacoma. "Transit-oriented manufacturing" as staff call it, could boost the economy and improve equity. It's part of our push for a Green Economy in the One Tacoma Plan. www.cityoftacoma.org/UserFiles/Se...
Huge win for #Tacoma! 🎉 After 5 yrs, Home in Tacoma passes, opening the door to more walkable #transit-oriented neighborhoods with #affordablehousing. 🌲🚗 Reduced parking reqs & tree protections https://ckarnes.com/home-in-tacoma-final-passage/
November 23, 2024 at 2:25 AM
Huge win for #Tacoma! 🎉 After 5 yrs, Home in Tacoma passes, opening the door to more walkable #transit-oriented neighborhoods with #affordablehousing. 🌲🚗 Reduced parking reqs & tree protections https://ckarnes.com/home-in-tacoma-final-passage/