California

Silicon Valley Primed for Facebook Real Estate Boom

Silicon Valley real estate agents and residents are primed for the potential rush of "newly minted Facebook millionaires," now that the company is on its way to becoming publicly traded.

February 9, 2012 - The New York Times

How to Survive An Earthquake in the Bay Area

When the Big One strikes the Bay Area you'll want to be on the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge, set to open next year. Its flexibility will allow it to ride the earthquake.

February 9, 2012 - The New York Times

After the Death of Redevelopment, Utilizing the Tools at Hand

In an editorial for The Sacramento Bee, William Fulton outlines the multitude of resources and strategies currently available to assist Californian cities in proceeding with redevelopment.

February 9, 2012 - The Sacramento Bee

Dancing on the Grave of Redevelopment

The redevelopment postmortem continues with a look at five projects that demonstrate the ways in which the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA) strayed from its core mission.

February 3, 2012 - Neon Tommy

Comprehensive Coverage of the End of Redevelopment in California

With no last minute pardons granted, yesterday marked the official dissolution date for California's 400-plus redevelopment agencies. Curbed LA has gathered the essential readings to guide you through the 'developments' at the state and local levels.

February 2, 2012 - Curbed LA

Mayor Outlines "Plan B" To Push Through Transit Improvements in L.A.

Deputy Mayor for Transportation Borja Leon provides insight into the Mayor's plans for ramping up implementation of Measure R funded projects if the Federal Government fails to back his America Fast Forward program.

February 2, 2012 - Streetsblog L.A.

First Lady Highlights Efforts to Improve Food Access in Visit to LA

Yesterday, Michelle Obama visited the site of a new grocery store in an impoverished section of Los Angeles to highlight her work in spearheading efforts to improve access to fresh foods and reduce obesity across the country.

February 2, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

Marking the Day Redevelopment Died

A year after Gov. Jerry Brown announced his intent to kill redevelopment and repatriate billions of dollars in tax monies that go to local agencies, the day of reckoning has finally come. Over 400 agencies officially shut down on Feb. 1.

February 2, 2012 - California Planning & Development Report

Reinventing Los Angeles: Seizing the Transit Opportunity

Ken Bernstein, Principal Planner for the City of L.A., explores how the expansion of transit in Los Angeles is changing how the department approaches its plans and the planning process.

February 1, 2012 - The Planning Report

L.A. Might be Forced to Fix Its Crumbling Sidewalks

A lawsuit based on the Americans With Disabilities Act may leave Los Angeles responsible for over a billion dollars' worth of crumbling sidewalks.

January 31, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

Has Gov. Jerry Brown Solved California's High Speed Rail Problems?

Governor Brown claims not only that the project will cost less than the $100 billion currently estimated by the state, but that he's found a funding source to help pay for it.

January 30, 2012 - The Sacramento Bee

California Moves Ahead With Streamlining of Envionmental Regulations

Last week, Gov. Jerry Brown announced reforms to the state's Environmental Quality Act that will ease approval for infill development and special projects. Josh Stephens provides the details.

January 30, 2012 - California Planning & Development Report

A Guide to Classic L.A. Houses

Adrian Glick Kudler writes in Curbed LA about a feature in the February issue of Los Angeles magazine profiling 16 of the most classic types of L.A. houses.

January 30, 2012 - Curbed LA

Why You Can Never Find a Bench in San Francisco

Over the last two decades the city of San Francisco has systematically removed its public benches to fight homelessness. Now citizens are clamoring for their return.

January 30, 2012 - The New York Times

California Passes Historic Zero Emission Vehicle Regulations

The CA Air Resources Board unanimously approved new rules that require 15% of new vehicles sold in the state to emit zero emissions and require conventional vehicles to reduce smog and climate emissions by 75% and 50%, respectively, by 2025.

January 30, 2012 - San Jose Mercury News

Does California Need High-Speed Rail?

For the second time this week, the "Room For Debate" section of The New York Times is tackling an area of interest for planners. This time, High Speed Rail in California is up for debate by a series of contributors.

January 28, 2012 - The New York Times

Next Step in California Redevelopment Saga: More Lawsuits

In an effort to seek an 11th hour reprieve from the scheduled elimination of the state's redevelopment agencies, two consortiums of cities have filed lawsuits in Sacramento Superior Court, reports Josh Stephens.

January 27, 2012 - California Planning & Development Report

There are 4,114 Intersections in LA, and He Controls Them All

Jon Bruner profiles Los Angeles Department of Transportation Engineer Edward Yu, and the ATSAC system run by Yu and his team, which controls the timing of traffic lights at each of the city's 4,114 intersections.

January 27, 2012 - Forbes

How to Revitalize a Neighborhood in Six Months

Ariel Schwartz writes about Popuphood, a project aiming to dramatically revitalize the Old Oakland neighborhood by offering six months of free rent to five retail establishments on one block.

January 27, 2012 - Fast Company Co.Exist

San Francisco Businesses Thrive Without Parking

The San Francisco neighborhood of Chinatown temporarily removed parking from Stockton Street for a week during the busy Lunar New Year season. Aaron Bialick reports on the results.

January 26, 2012 - Streetsblog San Francisco

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.