California

Tech SHuttle

The Downside of Removing Tech Buses from Neighborhoods

A new study has shown that moving tech shuttle stops from neighborhoods to conform to a new "hub plan" would result in a drop in bus ridership, with most former riders resorting to driving their own vehicles to their Silicon Valley workplaces.

November 29, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Los Angeles

Op-Ed: Build a Dense Wilshire Corridor to Ease L.A.'s Housing Woes

Thom Mayne proposes a radical solution to Los Angeles' affordability/preservation problem: build up transit-friendly areas far beyond current densities, and leave the rest unchanged.

November 29, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Moving Truck

Where Millennials are Moving To and Leaving From

Apartment List has published research showing the top destination cities for those 19 to 35 years of age based on ten years of census data from 2005-2010. Among the top 10 destinations, only three were on East and West coasts.

November 28, 2016 - Apartment List

BART Train

The San Francisco Bay Area Voted for a Sustainable, Inclusive Future

We can’t simply rely on the federal government to solve the San Francisco Bay Area’s challenges. Time and time again, we have turned to local do-it-yourself solutions. This year, voters rolled up their sleeves and took matters into their own hands.

November 26, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Affordable Housing Aimed at Artists Cropping Up In LA.

Los Angeles is building several affordable housing projects for artists.

November 25, 2016 - KPCC

Neighbors Confused By Green Bollards for Bike Lanes in Long Beach

A new look for buffered bike lanes in Long Beach is confusing some of the residents.

November 23, 2016 - Long Beach Press-Telegram

Skid Row

L.A. Homelessness Plan Hitting Speed Bumps

City councilmembers express concern about progress of homelessness plan after receiving a first update report.

November 21, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

San Francisco Group Hopes to 'Save' Forrest Hill from Proposed Low-Income Housing for Seniors

Forrest Hill building faces strong opposition from wealthy neighbors.

November 21, 2016 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Seattle Streetcar

Seattle's HUGE Transit Victory on Election Day

In dollars, Seattle region's Proposition 1 was second only to Measure M, a $120 billion sales tax measure in Los Angeles County, although the comparison is lacking in at least three respects. Prop 1 did not pass in all three Puget Sound counties.

November 21, 2016 - The Seattle Times

Santa Monica Route 66

Santa Monica Voters Soundly Reject Slow Growth Ballot Measure

The so-called LUVE initiative, which would have required a public vote on any development exceeding 32 feet or two stories, was rejected by over 56 percent of voters. Opponents significantly outspent supporters who failed to get council support.

November 20, 2016 - Curbed Los Angeles

AC Transit BRT

Who Benefits from the East Bay's Big Bus Rapid Transit Project?

A key commercial corridor connecting Oakland and Fremont in the East Bay Area is due for a dramatic transformation in the form of a new Bus Rapid Transit line.

November 20, 2016 - East Bay Times

California's New Accessory Dwelling Unit Having an Effect in Monterey

The city of Monterey has been compelled by a new state law to loosen prohibitions on accessory dwelling units after failing to so earlier in the year.

November 18, 2016 - Monterey County Weekly

San Francisco

Airbnb Ready to Make Concessions to the City of San Francisco

The city of San Francisco and Airbnb may move their dispute from the courtroom to the negotiating table, as the company indicates willingness to find a "win-win" with the city.

November 16, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Del Mar Station TOD

A Potential Downside to $120 Billion in Transportation Investments in Los Angeles

The editorial board of the Los Angeles Times warns that along with new transit lines comes new housing for residents who want to enjoy the benefits of reduced auto-dependence. Plans need to ensure minimal housing displacement around the new stations.

November 16, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Desert Signage

Affordable Housing Measure Passes in L.A. by Wide Margin. Now What?

An affordable housing measure passed in Tuesday's election has developers saying they may scrap existing building projects, meanwhile the bill’s supporters argue that the new rules will help break the housing crunch plaguing the area.

November 14, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Homeless Encampment

San Francisco Voters Express Frustration with Tent Living

Voters appear to have passed the most contentious ballot measure in San Francisco, Proposition Q, that allows city workers to remove tent encampments if shelter is available. Voters in other Bay Area counties passed taxes for affordable housing.

November 11, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

House

Evaluating California's 'Cash-for-Lawns' Rebate

At the height of the California drought, a group of water suppliers offered rebates for people willing to remove lawns. Now, it's time to figure out if the experiment worked.

November 10, 2016 - AP via San Jose Mercury News

Methane

How Environment and Energy Ballot Measures Fared in Tuesday's Election

More than the president was decided. Results are in on a Washington carbon tax, a California plastic bag ban, a Sunshine State restriction on solar panels, and on a ban on oil drilling in a California county that actually has oil drilling.

November 10, 2016 - Planetizen

Sacramento

California's Rental Housing Crisis Has Come to the Capital

The state capital of California is starting to see rents that would fit in around San Francisco or Los Angeles. Although explanations are scant, some are blaming the stagnant multi-family development industry.

November 8, 2016 - The Sacramento Bee

Lost Our Home

14,000 Homeless Women and Counting in Los Angeles County

The number of homeless women living in Los Angeles County has increased 55 percent since 2013. Women account for one in three homeless people in the county.

November 8, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.