California
Los Angeles Metro Takes Initial Step Toward Conversion to Electric Buses by 2030
The board of L.A. Metro voted Thursday to spend $138 million to purchase 95 electric buses plus chargers and wiring upgrades for two transit lines that now use natural gas buses, and approved a motion to convert all buses to battery-electrics by 2030
Last Coastal Sand Mine in the U.S. to Shut Down
A sand mine that has been operating since the very beginning of the 20th century has finally been shut down by California regulators. The site of the facility will be returned to more natural conditions.
Los Angeles Can't Stick to its Road Diet
A high-profile controversy over a decision by the city of Los Angeles to remove a vehicle lane in either direction has finally come to an end. The vehicle lanes will be restored.
New Pedestrian Crossing Between California and Mexico Opening Next Week
The latest in a series of new pedestrian crossings at the Mexico-U.S. border between San Ysidro and El Chaparral opens on July 31.
Berkeley Wants to Fund a Tent City for the Homeless
The city of Berkeley has a radical idea for how to build more transitional housing for its sizable homeless population.
California's Business-Friendly, Bipartisan Approach to Climate Change
Gov. Jerry Brown, accompanied by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, signed legislation to continue the cap-and-trade program initially authorized under a bill signed by his Republican predecessor 11 years ago at the same Treasure Island location.
Critiquing Santa Monica's 'Grand Bargain' of a Downtown Plan
The city of Santa Monica increased in population by 6,500 between 1960 and 2010, while the rest of Los Angeles County grew by 60 percent over the same period. A debate over a new downtown plan that includes more housing was never going to be simple.
Marine Sanctuaries Not Safe From Drilling
As it has already done with public lands, the Trump Administration is studying how to roll back environmental protections for the sake of the oil and gas industries. This time, marine sanctuaries are the administration's target.
In a Perfect World, Maintenance Is the Coolest Trend in Infrastructure
The New York Times opinion section includes a call for society, politicians, and business leaders to recognize the importance of maintenance.
Traffic Concerns Sink Light-Rail-Adjacent Development in San Jose
The city of San Jose has a mixed record of moving forward with land use changes that complement its existing and expanding transit systems.
Gov. Jerry Brown's High-Speed Gamble
To secure needed votes to pass a vital cap-and-trade bill, Brown made a deal with California's Republican lawmakers that could cost him his legacy infrastructure project—the high-speed train from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
Caltrain Electrification Broke Ground on Friday
Gov. Jerry Brown, Peninsula congresswomen, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and state legislative leaders gathered in Millbrae with shovels-in hands to mark the beginning of a four-year construction project to electrify Caltrain.
Like City, Like Stadium
Beloved as it is, Dodger Stadium did not come easily to Los Angeles. Its development was fraught with protests, political rivalries, and debates over public investment and urbanism. Those debates continue today.
California Counties, City Sue Fossil Fuel Industry Over Sea Level Rise
Faced with "mounting costs" due to the impacts of climate change, a collection of coastal communities in California have taken legal action against the fossil fuel industry.
Coffee With Your Gentrification?
The Los Angeles Times published a pair of incendiary articles this week in which coffee plays an integral role in the conversation about gentrification.
Transit Village Plans Popping Up All Over San Jose
A long-awaited BART extension into San Jose, California is also bringing major development interest of the transit-oriented variety.
California Legislature Approves Continuation of Cap-and-Trade Program
The nation's only state-run, market-based program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will continue until 2031 without fear of litigation, as it passed with the required two-thirds supermajority needed for tax increases, along with two related bills.
Desert 5, Humans 0
Look no further than the American Southwest for signs that human ingenuity is no match for the ability of the planet to reassert its power.
San Diego Activists Plan a Pedestrian Promenade and 'Nudillo'
Activists organized to save their downtown San Diego neighborhoods from the NFL Chargers' stadium proposal. Their defense strategy? A fine-grained community plan with no stadium. In the process, they came upon the idea of a promenade and a "Nudillo."
Venice, California Has Fewer Housing Units Than in 2000
Venice, the famously picturesque neighborhood in Los Angeles, has become a poster child for wealthy urban enclave that has closed its doors to development and new residents—despite a strong local economy.
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
