San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco Ferry Launches New Commuter Line
The San Francisco Bay ferry system is growing as commuters flee congested roads and overcrowded BART cars.

Voters Will Decide on Controversial Development Plans in Brisbane
A local issue with regional consequences: Measure JJ would approve a scaled back version of a development proposal at the Baylands site in the San Francisco suburb of Brisbane.

Bay Area Displacement and Gentrification Trends Have Regional Consequences
Displacement in the San Francisco Bay Area has resulted in distinct mobility patterns and significant race and class inequalities.

BART Rolls Out Upgraded Earthquake Alert System
The new sensor technology gives riders up to a minute to drop, cover, and hold on.

Downtown San Jose Could Get Taller
In the Bay Area's biggest city, the debate over density pits two economic drivers against each other.

A Showcase of Innovative Climate Change and Resiliency Design Projects
A competition in the San Francisco Bay Area highlights projects considering new ways to design for impending environmental changes.

BART Transit Oriented Development Bill Passed by State Senate
A controversial bill that would free BART to develop housing on the most transit oriented of development sites, its parking lots, has managed to clear the hurdles of the California Legislature.

Bay Area Businesses Launch Challenge to Fund Climate Resilience
A regional business association hopes to raise private funds for climate adaptation planning throughout California.

San Francisco Bay Area's Rail Transit Projects Among the Most Expensive in the World
The problem of expensive transit investments isn't unique to New York City.

Making the Bay Area Resilient By Design
The Resilient By Design Bay Area Challenge has produced nine designs to address sea-level rise and flooding around the San Francisco Bay Area.
New Report Examines the Bay Area's Broken Housing Market
The twin challenges of a housing shortage and low wage increases threaten the growth of the San Francisco Bay Area, according to a new report.

Multiple Studies Find Ride-Hailing Contributes to Congestion and Transit Losses
Surveys on ride-hailing conducted by regional planning agencies, academic institutions, and public transit agencies throughout the U.S. reviewed by the Associated Press largely led to the same conclusion: more traffic and reduced use of transit.

Bay Area's Transbay Dilemma: Second BART Tube or Second Bay Bridge?
In December, Sen. Dianne Feinstein reactivated her call for a southern crossing over the Bay while the BART Board last week began studying a second Transbay tube. The San Francisco Chronicle editorial board opines on which is preferable.

A Second Transbay Tube for BART: Let the Planning Commence
BART passengers could someday see a second route across the San Francisco Bay, with a parallel but totally new alignment and crossing points on the either side of the bay.

The Country's First Municipal Cryptocurrency Could Fund Affordable Housing
The city of Berkeley is exploring the sale of digital tokens—backed by municipal bonds—as a fundraising mechanism for affordable housing and other local priorities.

The Landlord's Case for Stronger Rent Control
A small San Francisco landlord argues for repealing state restrictions on rent control.

Ferry Service Expanding to Keep Pace With Bay Area Growth
Ridership on Water Emergency Transportation Authority ferries, which operate around the San Francisco Bay, has grown 78 percent since 2012. Investment in new and expanded facilities is preparing for even more growth.

Anti-Homeless Robot Raises Eyebrows in San Francisco
File under 'high-tech urban dystopia.”

BART Goes Renewable
The Board of Directors approved a path to 90 percent renewable energy.

Powerful Political Voices Call for Another Bay Area Bridge
U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein is leading calls for the so-called Southern Crossing—a bridge that would connect San Francisco and the East Bay somewhere south of the Bay Bridge.
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service