With some help from Processing, Seattle architect Zubin Rao created the below animation showcasing Seattle building permit activity since 2005, charting permits by location and animating the permits based on dollar amount and issue date. The size of the circle is based on the dollar amount of the construction cost and grows to full size over the course of a year. As the time slider on the right descends, projects from previous years disappear. If that all sounds little confusing, just sit back and watch the permits grow as the years go on. You'll get the point either way...
· Building Permit Activity [Seattle.gov]