California

Comparing Taxi, Transportation Network Company Fares Reveals the 'Cost of Loyalty'

An app that compares fares across transportation network company platforms reveals several lessons about the state of competition in this new transportation frontier.

November 1, 2014 - Architect This City

Roosevelt Arch

MapStory Traces the Development of the United States

Interested in tracing the development of everything from urban bike lanes to national parks to rocket test sites?

October 31, 2014 - CityLab

New Los Angeles Mayoral Directive on Water Conservation

In an effort to conserve water and prevent the expensive water importation in the future, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti recently published a new directive for city-wide water conservation.

October 31, 2014 - Los Angeles Mayor

New Study Finds California’s Local Streets and Roads In Perpetual Disrepair

The biennial California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment survey found a $78.3 billion funding shortfall over the next 10 years.

October 31, 2014 - PublicCEO

San Diego Rail

Is Racism Behind the Density Debate in San Diego?

A high profile environmental attorney in San Diego called out neighborhood opposition to development that would add density for "selfishness and closet racism."

October 30, 2014 - Voice of San Diego

Struggling Toll Roads Make for Good Investments

In another example of a struggling toll road attracting no shortage of investors, the poor revenue performance of the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency in Orange County, California has not dissuaded investors, as the returns are high.

October 30, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

An Outsider’s Perspective On Bicycling In Los Angeles

Stephen Corwin describes a Vancouverite’s experience cycling throughout Los Angeles.

October 30, 2014 - Medium

Plans for a $35 Million Rail-to-Trail Conversion in South Los Angeles

A blighted abandoned rail corridor through South Los Angeles received funding to plan a rail to trail conversion. Can residents compel officials to complete the sorely needed open space facility?

October 29, 2014 - KPCC

Dispute Over Bike Fatality Report

The Governors Highway Safety Association released a report titled Bicyclist Safety showing a surge in bike fatalities since 2010. The report provoked widespread media coverage and, also, strongly critical reactions.

October 29, 2014 - Streetsblog USA

Homeless

Fighting Homelessness by Closing a Commuter Rail Station

The high desert city of Lancaster in northern Los Angeles County has an innovative plan to reduce its homeless population: Close its Metrolink station, the last stop on the Antelope Valley line, that serves 400 commuters daily.

October 28, 2014 - The California Report

trax light rail train in foreground, snow-covered mountains in background

How Cities are Overcoming Federal Roadblocks for Transportation Improvements

Tanya Snyder provides a thorough survey of the talking points of five U.S. mayors from a recent Washington Post forum on transportation.

October 27, 2014 - Streetsblog USA

3.3 Million Electric Cars Expected by 2025

Electric cars are expected to play a key role in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the country's transportation system. Recent trends around the country indicate increasing adoption of the technology.

October 27, 2014 - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Bike, Pedestrian Toll on Golden Gate Bridge Survives First Vote

The concept of tolling sidewalk access to the Golden Gate Bridge squeaked by on a 10-9 vote on Oct. 24. The GGB Transportation and Highway District wants to consider the toll as a potential contributor to reducing the $33 million, five-year deficit.

October 26, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

Special Delivery: U.S. Postal Service and Groceries

The Postal Regulatory Commission approved of a two-year trial allowing the United States Postal Service to deliver groceries to homes in the morning.

October 25, 2014 - The Washington Post

Op-Ed: Reintroduce California's Historic Restoration Tax Credit

Despite a veto by Governor Jerry Brown, California’s Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins should keep trying to pass legislation to encourage preservation, says Bay area preservation architect Jerri Holan.

October 24, 2014 - UrbDeZine

Tech-Buses Driving South into Los Angeles

In a new coming-of-age sign for the technology industry in Los Angeles, the San Francisco based start-up RidePal unveiled its first private shuttle bus partnership in LA this week.

October 24, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Embraces Urban Agriculture

A motion passed earlier this month calls for landowners to receive tax breaks for leasing vacant property for agriculture and farming.

October 23, 2014 - The Los Angeles Times

San Francisco Approves Airbnb-Enabling Regulation Despite High Profile Opposition

None other than U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, former mayor and native of San Francisco, penned an op-ed opposing a recent action by the San Francisco County Board of Supervisors to legalize short-term stays in private homes.

October 22, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

Tunnel

$5.4 Billion Freeway Plan Would Tunnel Under South Pasadena

One of Southern California's most controversial and (some would say) critical projects is on the radar again—the 710 extension through South Pasadena. Transportation officials are working on a tunnel plan, expected for public comment in February.

October 22, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Is It OK to Charge Pedestrians and Bicyclists to Cross Toll Bridges?

The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District might charge pedestrians and cyclists using the bridge in a plan to keep the district, which also runs buses and ferries between San Francisco and Marin and Sonoma counties, solvent.

October 22, 2014 - Marin Independent Journal

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.