California

As Tech Companies Flock to the City, Facebook Doubles Down on the Suburbs

Once seen as the vanguard of hip and cutting-edge, Facebook is either bucking the trend once again or being left behind with their plans to bring the city to its suburban Menlo park campus to lure employees.

August 15, 2012 - Chicago Tribune

Northern California Farmers Decry $14 Billion Water Plan

Norimitsu Onishi reports on the major rift caused by a proposed plan for twin 35-mile tunnels to take water from the Sacramento River to large corporate farms and densely populated regions in Central and Southern California.

August 14, 2012 - The New York Times

L.A. Bureau of Sanitation at the Forefront of Water Sustainability

Enrique Zaldivar, Director of the Bureau of Sanitation, explains the city's efforts to maintain public health and promote water conservation. As urban areas guard natural resources and urban environments, L.A. presents some successful first steps.

August 12, 2012 - The Planning Report

San Francisco Launches Civic Accelerator Program to Drive Government Innovation

Mashable's Brian Solis sits down for an interview with San Francisco's CIO, or "Chief Innovative Officer," to discuss the many ways the tech community is changing the way the city's government operates.

August 9, 2012 - Mashable

Assessing the Federal Transportation Bill From a Regional and National Perspective

Congressman Earl Blumenauer of Portland, Oregon and LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky discuss the recently signed federal transportation bill, whether it's a sound policy, and how it may impact local government and transportation initiatives.

August 9, 2012 - The Planning Report

Falsified Test Results Call Into Question the Safety of California's Roads and Bridges

Charles Piller reports on the investigation into suspect safety test results for roads and bridges across CA, including the new Bay Bridge, revealing a string of troubling data for which officials and critics are holding Caltrans accountable.

August 8, 2012 - The Sacramento Bee

SF Affirms Transit-First Policy, Angering Drivers

Rachel Gordon reports on San Francisco's "aggressive plan to install thousands more parking meters and to expand the hours they operate," which has drivers fuming.

August 7, 2012 - San Francisco Chronicle

California Finds Pot of Gold Hidden in State Accounts

Facing crippling deficits that have threatened California's vaunted quality of life, the discovery of more than $286 million in state accounts will come as a welcome relief. A sweeping state audit, however, raises more questions than it answers.

August 6, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

Farmers Markets Continue Healthy Growth Across America

Philip Bump reports on new data out this week that shows the number of farmers markets increased by 10% in the past year.

August 4, 2012 - Grist

Can the Los Angeles River Reclaim a Starring Role?

From its mountain tributaries, to the San Fernando Valley, through Downtown, and across the basin into the Pacific Ocean, Christian MilNeil tells the story behind the ecological and recreation rehabilitation of the Los Angeles River.

August 3, 2012 - Grist

Do Chain Stores Threaten L.A.'s Newfound Urbanity?

As downtown Los Angeles seeks to cement its nascent transformation into a full-fledged urban neighborhood, Sam Lubell cautions against the threat brought by the suburban mindset of Walmart, Target, and other chain operators.

August 2, 2012 - The Architect's Newspaper

UC/ASU Study: CA High Speed Rail Brings Environmental Benefits

A new academic study has determined that California's beleaguered high speed rail project may meet at least one promise if fully built - it can bring the environmental improvements that supporters boasted when travelers ditch planes and cars for HSR.

August 1, 2012 - The Daily Californian

Once Common, Do Jitneys Have a Future in L.A.'s Transportation Mix?

In the latest entry in its fascinating series on the "Laws That Shaped L.A.", KCET's Jeremy Rosenberg looks at the city's brief, but golden, age of the Jitneys, and whether they deserve a return to L.A.'s growing mix of transit modes.

July 29, 2012 - KCET Departures

A Plan to Finally Fix California's Water Problems?

California's Governor Jerry Brown unveils his administration's new plan in hopes of finally balancing the state's competing water interests. The cost? $14 billion over a decade.

July 29, 2012 - The New York Times

How to Promote TOD When There's no Room for Infill

Many new light rail lines have been built in western cities in the hopes of attracting new development to greenfields. Los Angeles' Expo Line, however, is threaded through a heavily built-up area, thus complicating dreams of TOD.

July 28, 2012 - California Planning & Development Report

Silicon Valley Companies Relocate To SF - Apartment Rents Skyrocket

In this pair of 'cause and effect' articles, USA Today reporters describe the many companies seeking new office and R&D sites in San Francisco, whether relocating from expensive downtown Palo Alto, the South or East Bay, or outside the state or U.S.

July 28, 2012 - USA Today

Downtown L.A. Comes of Age With Opening of 'Grand Park'

This weekend's opening of the 12-acre park stretching from City Hall to the L.A.'s cultural acropolis marks the maturation of a downtown transformed from office park to vibrant neighborhood, reports Sam Allen.

July 26, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

CA Transit Agencies Shouldn't Count on High Speed Rail Funding

The $4.7 billion high speed rail bond appropriation, signed by Gov. Brown on July 18 included $2 billion for transit upgrades in the Bay Area and Southern CA. Max Taves reports that litigation in the Central Valley could target that funding.

July 25, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal - San Francisco Bay Area

S.F. Fertilizes Vacant Lots and Rooftops With New Legislation

Last week, San Francisco's supervisors approved new legislation intended to jump-start urban farming throughout the city, reports John Upton.

July 25, 2012 - Grist

As Mass Closures Loomed, CA Parks Hoarded a Pile of Green

When California planned to close 70 parks this month to save $22 million, donors sprang into action to help keep them open. It turns out they needn't have, as last week it was revealed the CA Dept. of Parks and Recreation stashed away $54 million.

July 23, 2012 - 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.

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

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

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