California
Silicon Valley Start-Ups Head Downtown
The area's tech firms, which typically favor office parks, are increasingly drawn to revitalized urban centers, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Environmentalists Torn Over Smart Growth
A Berkeley, CA growth initiative revealed the stresses that smart growth play on grassroots environmental organizations like the Sierra Club where members determine positions.
Doing More With Less in Los Angeles
In a recent press release, L.A. Director of Planning Michael LoGrande announced that he is reorganizing their reduced staff to "focus on and master critical functions."
Residents Resist County Plans for Marina del Rey
A meeting last week at the Regional Planning Commission attracted dozens of speakers angry with L.A. County's plans to change the zoning around the marina to allow new development of apartments and retail spaces.
California 'Fee' Proposition To Wreak Fiscal Havoc
While Propositions 19 (marijuana) and 23 (global warming suspension) grabbed headlines, Prop 26, which would require a 2/3rds vote threshold for fees, slipped under the radar and passed. Opponents say it could make regulation nearly impossible.
Elections Could Sabotage L.A.'s 30/10 Plan
Christopher Hawthorne at the L.A. Times says that the Republican rise to power will likely spell doom for Mayor Villaraigosa's request for a federal loan to speed up transit construction. Still, he writes, the work will go on.
The Economic Impact of Energy Efficiency Retrofits
Cary Lowe, Los Angeles-based attorney and advocate for energy efficiency, makes the case for the economic benefits of energy efficiency retrofits to the state of California.
Suburban Civics in the Age of Facebook
The recently retired Don Waldie, an impassioned observer and critic of metropolitan Los Angeles, spent his career finding ways for residents to participate to the civic process.
Electric Taxis Coming to Bay Area
A new company is bringing battery switch stations to the San Francisco-San Jose corridor, laying the groundwork for an electric vehicle taxi fleet.
California Carbon Trading Program Released - But Election Could Kill It
CA Air Resources Board announced some of the important elements of the carbon trading scheme they developed for the 500 largest stationary emitters in the state. Of course, if Proposition 23 should pass on Nov. 2, forgetaboutit!
World Series Cast Shadow On Parking Lots Behind AT&T Stadium
Just beyond McCovey Cove, where kayakers await home run balls hit from AT&T Park, sit vast parking lots that Giants bigwigs are proposing could be a great location for a Golden State Warriors stadium.
Political Cleavage Intensifies Debate On A More Connected LA
Christopher Hawthorne, the architecture critic at the LA Times the contradictory evidence surrounding LA's machinations toward becomming a post-suburban city. He finds public opinion fractured as the MTA finalizes plans for two Westside subway lines.
San Francisco to Launch Bike Sharing Program
The city's bike sharing program is expected to launch with a 1,000 bikes next year. But it won't be limited to the city.
The Not-So-Good Impact of Goods Movement
A group of researchers and activists met recently to discuss the role of goods movement and logistics in and around ports, and how the industry contributes to local pollution problems and skews highway spending.
L.A.'s 'Subway to the Sea' Gets Close
The L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board has selected a route for its long planned Westside extension of the city's subway system. It falls a little short of hopes for a "Subway to the Sea".
Experimental Transportation Projects Get $33 Million in Bay Area
Federal grants worth $33 million have been approved in the San Francisco Bay Area for experimental programs like electric taxis and mobile bike repair services.
A Library for Bikes
The University of California, Los Angeles has begun operations on a new kind of library -- one that rents bikes out to students.
The 'Negligible' Building Safety Benefit of Helipads
In the second part of a series looking at codes in L.A. that require tall buildings to have flat roofs for helicopter landing, Curbed LA discusses a new building that has been exempted from the code and whether more are likely to follow.
The Fire Department Code That Flat-Tops L.A.'s Skyline
All buildings in Los Angeles taller than 75 feet are required to have a flat surface on the roof where helicopters can land, according to a fire department-mandated code. Now leaders are thinking about updating that code -- and the city's skyline.
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
