California
More on those Freeway-Adjacent Affordable Housing Developments
The Los Angeles Times follows-up an earlier article on the dangers of building too close to freeways. It's a trade-off that the California Air Resources Board acknowledged last April with new guidelines that recognize the dire need for housing.
San Francisco Supervisors Cool to Express Lanes on City's Freeways
The county agency that had hoped to do downtown cordon pricing now wants to add express lanes on Highways 101 and 280, but city supervisors are divided on charging solo drivers the option to buy into managed lanes. Both freeways lack carpool lanes.
John Portman, Who Designed Skyline Icons and Infamous Interiors, Dies at 93
John Portman, an exemplar of post-modern architecture around the world, died on December 29, 2017.
After the Drought, San Diego Faces Lead and Sewage
In 2017, the Southern California city no longer had to be concerned about water quantity, but was plagued by issues of water quality.
The Landlord's Case for Stronger Rent Control
A small San Francisco landlord argues for repealing state restrictions on rent control.
Sunnyvale Rejects Bus Rapid Transit Pitch
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is pitching local governments on the idea of restricting lanes for use by buses during peak hours on a major inter-city thoroughfare. One city, at least, doesn't like the idea.
California Program Promotes Multifamily Rooftop Solar
The state's SOMAH program, now finalized, provides rebates to multifamily affordable housing developments that use solar, and lets tenants share in the benefits.
Three Housing Stories to Watch in California
California's housing crunch finally became a top legislative priority in 2017. More of the same is expected in 2018.
Esri's Jack and Laura Dangermond Make Massive Land Conservation Gift
The Nature Conservancy's largest ever gift will preserve 24,000 acres of highly prized land in California. Jack and Laura Dangermond (cofounders of Esri) made the donation.
What's Next for Bike Advocates?
Wondering what's on the agenda for bike advocates these days? The San Francisco Bike Coalition that just released a Strategic Plan that will direct political actions in 2018 and beyond.
Climate Change Lesson Number One from the California Fires
Whether climate change 'caused' the California fires is a red herring, argues disaster resiliency expert Dave Hampton, in this first part in a series on lessons from the California fires about climate change.
Only Bay Area Voters Support State's New 12-cent Gas Tax
According to a UC Berkeley poll released Dec. 22, 52% of likely voters statewide would support either of two initiatives that hope to be placed on the ballot next November to repeal the gas tax that took effect Nov. 1, while 43% would retain the tax.
California Funds Housing Near Freeways Despite Air Pollution
A Los Angeles development for homeless vets could be great news for a city in desperate need of housing, but some worry that the apartments put vets in harm’s way.
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.
California Grows by 301,000 to 39.5 Million
The 0.77 percent growth rate comes mostly from increased births, reports the California Department of Finance. The Census Bureau estimated the population increase at 20 percent less for the same time period: July 1, 2016 to July 1, 2017.
Building Boom: Study Reveals Effects of California's 2016 Accessory Dwelling Units Law
Permits have shot up after California passed a landmark law in 2016 to make it easier to permit and construct accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
How About a Gondola Ride to the Hollywood Sign?
Project backers are calling the idea the "Sky Line."
'Twas the Night Before Christmas and Here's a Reminder About the Meaning of Environmentalism
San Gabriel Valley Tribune reporter Steve Scauzillo turns the words of the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," by Clement Clarke Moore into an environmental message.
Out-Migration from the San Francisco Bay Area Getting Wealthier and Wealthier
The effects of one of the most expensive housing markets in the country are in display in this data analysis of migration to and from the San Francisco Bay Area.
Debating the Future of Development in California's Fire Prone Areas
With the state of California in the grips of its most destructive year of wildfires ever, policy makers are pondering questions about whether it is appropriate to rebuild in places at high risk of burning again.
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
