California
California Governor's CEQA Reform Efforts: Doomed from the Start?
As calls for reforming California's oft-abused environmental law increase, opponents are digging in their heels in anticipation of Governor Jerry Brown's effort to revise the law to ease approval processes, reports Evan Halper.
Will L.A. Overturn a Controversial Fast Food Ban?
After four years of banning the construction of new stand-alone fast food restaurants in South L.A., the city's planning department is considering raising the ban amid increasing questions about the impact of food deserts on obesity.
Navigating the American Carbon Market
Gary Gero, President of Climate Action Reserve, discusses his organization's work drafting carbon offset protocols for the California Air Resources Board's cap-and-trade program.
How Middle-Class Anti-Gentrifiers Obscure San Francisco's True Problems
In San Francisco, the relatively affluent are vocal in their denunciation of the "gentrifying" effects of the more affluent. This debate clouds the city's fundamental problems in housing its poor and working class residents, says Ilan Greenberg.
How Will Once-Sleepy Santa Monica Weather a Wave of New Development?
With an "unprecedented" amount of development applications waiting for review, and the impending arrival of light rail linking to downtown L.A., seaside Santa Monica is growing up, literally. Sam Lubell examines the city's "development tsunami."
L.A. Looks Ugly; But Is That So Wrong?
The quality of L.A.'s public structures falls far below its remarkable private residences. Greg Goldin argues why we should see the beauty in its greatest creations: its infrastructure and evolving collection of noisy storefronts.
California Governor Travels Far and Wide in Search of Bullet Train Investors
Although it was initiated long before his current term in office, Governor Jerry Brown has hitched his legacy to moving along California's high-speed rail project. He recently ventured to China in search of funding.
Environmentalists Win Major Fracking Lawsuit in California
Environmentalists scored a major victory in federal court in their battle against fracking in California when a judge ruled that the BLM violated NEPA by not requiring an environmental review prior to auctioning rights for drilling in Monterey Co.
L.A.'s New HOT Lanes Not Working as Planned
Yes, L.A.'s first foray into congestion pricing has improved travel times for those utilizing the high occupancy/toll lanes, but congestion has gotten worse in all other lanes, to the surprise of planners.
Property Selling Binge on the Horizon for California Cities
Larry Kosmont, CEO of Kosmont Companies, walks The Planning Report through the California Redevelopment Authority's liquidation timeline, with advice for the private sector on the State’s impending property divestment.
Another Reason to Keep Kids Away from Traffic: Cancer
Add cancer to the growing list of ailments being linked to childhood exposure to vehicle emissions, say researchers from UCLA, USC and UC Irvine.
Plan for Successor to L.A.'s Shuttered Redevelopment Agency Takes Shape
The state-ordered demise of the Community Redevelopment Agency has been a huge blow to redevelopment and affordable housing efforts in Los Angeles. A new plan being put forth by city leaders hopes to help fill that void, reports Ryan Vaillancourt.
Wide-Ranging Retrospective on L.A.'s Modern Architecture Misses the Mark
A new series of exhibitions being organized by the Getty Trust around the subject of LA's modern architectural history includes a significant blind spot, says Christopher Hawthorne. He outlines the prequel necessary to understand the whole story.
A California Town's Quest to Become 'Solar Capital of the World'
Lancaster, California is known for nearby Edwards Air Force Base and being the childhood home of Judy Garland. But that may change thanks a Republican mayor interested in lowering public expenditures, providing jobs, and making a splash.
Can L.A. Turn its Storm Water Headache into a Drinking Water Solution?
In its enduring quest to slake its immense thirst, and protect its beautiful beaches, Los Angeles leaders are putting forth an ambitious proposal to solve two problems with one solution: make runoff drinkable.
Placemaking Confronts Entertainment Initiative in a Downtown L.A. Alleyway
A quaint downtown L.A. alleyway celebrated for its Old World charm has been cleared of its outdoor dining facilities to ease access to a rehabilitated theater's loading dock. Can an equitable compromise be found?
Inequality Finds a Home in the Suburbs
Through the lens of the Los Angeles region, Becky M. Nicolaides and Andrew Wiese examine how America's suburbs sustain and reinforce inequality.
San Diego's Omission from High-Speed Rail: Customary Curse or Blessing in Disguise?
Is California's High-Speed Rail (HSR) a "boondoggle" for the state, as its critics assert, or just a boondoggle for omitted cities? How should such cities deal with omission from HSR? San Diego is a case in point.
In SoMA District, can S.F. Move Beyond Petty Politics to Think Big About its Future?
As the "new tech capital of the world," San Francisco's SoMA district is facing development pressures that challenge the city's often petty planning process, while providing an opportunity to reconsider what the city could become.
New Study Raises Questions About Relevance of Food Deserts
The role of access to fresh food in contributing to people's eating habits has been at the heart of efforts to identify and eliminate 'food deserts.' However, a new study questions the connection between obesity and the food environment.
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
