California
Santa Clara County to Vote on Tax for Silicon Valley BART Extension
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority unanimously approved the 30-year, half-cent transportation sales tax for the countywide ballot in November. $1.5 billion in tax revenues would go to Phase II of a BART extension in the Silicon Valley.
Yelp for Transit? San Francisco Will Give it a Shot
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will invite ratings from transit users via the existing MuniMobile app. That's brave.
The Case for Modern Roundabouts: Increased Safety
Roundabout are gaining popularity in California and across the nation. While they have been shown to reduce crashes, not all are sold on the innovative concept, and when it comes to multi-lane roundabouts, cyclists have legitimate concerns.
Light Rail Successes Draw Attention to L.A. Metro's Rail Problems
Two new light rail extensions opened in Los Angeles within two and a half months. Ridership is soaring on the Gold Line extension and preliminary reports look good for the Expo Line, but new riders experience problems familiar to long-time riders.
A New Bus Rapid Transit Route for Fresno
Construction is set to begin on a $28 million, 15.7-mile bus rapid transit route in the city of Fresno.
Developer's Ballot Box Planning Would Allow Suburban Development at Ferry Terminal
A June 7 ballot measure in Richmond, California would permit 59 single family homes to be built on a 5-acre bayfront lot within walking distance to a future ferry landing for San Francisco service. The site is zoned for high-density housing.
L.A. Metro and City of Los Angeles to Launch Metro Bike Share on July 7
One thousand bikes will be available exclusively to Metro passholders who subscribe from July 7 to August 1, when the general public will be able to sign-up. Subscribers will use a single card to access both transit and Metro Bikes. Sponsor needed.
AIA San Diego Op-Ed on Chargers' Stadium Ballot Initiative: 'Not So Fast'
The San Diego Chapter of the American Institute of Architecture believes the NFL Chargers’ downtown stadium proposal is full of risk and lost opportunities. AIA - SD opines the existing stadium site is superior both for the fan and the taxpayer.
Proposed $120 Billion Sales Tax Measure Polling Well in L.A. County
A single sales tax measure that would add a new half cent sales tax to fund transportation projects in Los Angeles County for 40 years, and extend an existing half-cent sales tax that terminates in 2039, is supported by at least 68 percent of voters.
Housing Crisis Leads to Renewed Support For Rent Control
As rents in the Bay Area have skyrocketed, cities are updating and introducing rent control ordinances. They are stoking age-old debates over the macroeconomic value of rent control.
Op-Ed Supports Value Capture-Enabled Transit Investments
Two USC professors argue that Los Angeles would be better served if Metro could recapture some of its investment in the county's expanding rail system.
Los Angeles' Ballot Box Planning and Development Initiatives Leaders Discuss Impacts
Two major ballot initiatives would change the state of planning and development in L.A. As the housing and planning crisis reaches new levels, initiative leaders and land-use experts discuss how to create a viable path forward.
The Arts District and the 'Missed Opportunity' of Planning in L.A.
Downtown L.A.'s Arts District transformed from an industrial sector to a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood. Now, the community's attempts to protect their vision from haphazard development illuminate Los Angeles's broken planning process.
Huge Drop in California Cap-and-Trade Revenues—Could Market Be Collapsing?
'Huge' is an understatement. Revenues were less than 2 percent of what was forecasted. The uncertainty of the continuance of the program may be responsible. The plummet in revenues to high-speed rail adds to uncertainty of the $64 billion project.
Planetizen Week in Review: May 27, 2016
Planetizen Managing Editor James Brasuell shares some of the biggest news and announcements from the week in planning, land use, and related topics.
Some Things Aren't for Sale in San Francisco's Dolores Park (Like Dolores Park)
Controversy struck the famously laissez-faire expanses of Dolores Park in San Francisco this week, after the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department launched, and then quickly rescinded, a program to rent park space.
Fresno's Troubled Housing History
The crisis facing many Fresno renters is nothing new. A history of housing in the city shows how, since the late 19th century, poor housing conditions have been "ingrained in Fresno's culture."
The Sad Saga of Three East Coast Subways
With so much attention placed on the woes facing D.C. Metro, it's important to recognize that it is hardly the only subway facing critical infrastructure investment needs.
L.A.'s Water Supply Increasingly Relying on Management of Stormwater
In October 2014, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti acted to make the city more resilient from drought and climate change. In 2016, we get an update from leaders Gary Hildebrand and Marty Adams on L.A.'s stormwater capture systems.
One Utility's Plan to Build Thousands of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Southern California Edison wants to add 1,500 public charging stations to its service area, potentially expanding the effort to 30,000 charging stations if all goes well.
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
