California
Bike Plan Foresees Vastly Different Los Angeles
The recent adoption of a citywide bicycle plan in Los Angeles could bring about broad changes to the city's physical environment.
Redevelopment on its Deathbed
As lawmakers in California wrangle over the state's budget, redevelopment agencies appear to be days away from being killed.
Regional Planning Begins To Meet CA's Stricter Emissions Standards
Two Bay Area planning agencies have jointly released what they call their "Initial Vision Scenario", a first step in implementing the Sustainable Community Strategy required by state law (SB 375, 2008) to reduce climate emissions from transportation.
Quality of Life Down in Golden State
A new poll of California residents finds that perceived quality of life in the state has dropped.
A Renaissance in Oakland
An urban renaissance is underway in Oakland, where a population surge and a fleet of trendy shops has revived parts of a formerly crime-ridden city.
Borrowing Against Future Revenues to Expand Salt Lake City Rail
Salt Lake City is aggressively expanding its light rail network thanks to a voter approved tax increase. This post wonders whether the city could follow mimic a proposed plan in Los Angeles to speed up the use of those taxes.
Proposed Stadium Needs More Than Football
Plans to build a football stadium in downtown Los Angeles hinge on more than football. A major element in making the idea work financially for the city is to make it an attractive site for conventions and conferences.
Los Angeles' "Public Transportainment"
An enterprising couple from Los Angeles turned an RV into a mode of public transportation for the party-going crowd. Recent partnerships with Foursquare and Walt Disney Imagineering have made the RV a popular way to get around Tinseltown.
Bi-Partisan Attack on LA HOT Lanes
The Democrat, Maxine Waters, objects to the 10 & 110 Freeway high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on the basis of equity while Rep. Gary G. Miller, the ranking CA Republican on the House Transportation Committee, sees it as "double taxation".
Fearing the End, Redevelopment Agencies Go on Bond Spree
Facing possible dissolution, redevelopment agencies in California have gone on a bond-spree in the early months of 2011.
Rise of the Ethnoburbs
Timothy Egan describes growing American ethnoburbs, or "entire cities" (or suburbs) "dominated by a nonwhite ethnic group," and their implications for politics and power.
Promised Reform of L.A.'s Project Approval Process Taking Shape
The name has changed, butt he reform game stays the same. Chief Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner has promised a more transparent project approval process. A team of consultants is just beginning to pitch their ideas.
California's Power Could Shift Inland
As California's coastal counties see less growth in 2010 Census figures, the state's inland areas could become bigger players in politics.
Sailing to a Redeveloped San Francisco Waterfront
In 2013, San Francisco will host America's Cup; many hope this will expedite development along the Bay City's waterfront.
Growth Slows in Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area has seen its smallest rate of growth in the state's history, according to data from the 2010 Census.
Audit Rips CA Redevelopment Agencies
California Controller John Chiang, an independent, elected officer, audited 18 of the state's 425 redevelopment agencies (representing 16% of all RDA dollars) and found huge differences in how blight is defined and a lack of accountability.
Facebook Charrette: New Headquarters Could Reinvigorate a City
As Facebook prepares to relocate its corporate headquarters from Palo Alto to Menlo Park, the company organized a day-long charrette to get input from architects, planners, and community members about how to "turn this neighborhood inside out."
A Call to Streamline L.A.'s Zoning Codes
Writing for The Architect's Newspaper, Sam Lubell argues that current L.A. zoning regulations require architects and developers to endure a "ridiculous, disjointed, outdated process."
L.A. City Council Approves New Bike Plan - Unanimously
The new plan is touted by Alissa Walker of Good Magazine as "perhaps the most ambitious pro-cyclist action in L.A. history."
Public Transit Gets Wi-Fi and Concierge
In an attempt to lure more employees of high-tech companies to use public transit, the Santa Clara County Valley Transportation Authority has proposed buses with wi-fi, reclining seats, and even a concierge to coordinate dry-cleaning services.
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
