California
McMansion Central
The town of El Monte, California is a gated community that "encourages quality housing developments through well thought-out architectural designs..." Zen Vuong writes that the reality is the latest batch of homes are anything but.
California Set To Adopt Emissions Targets From VMT Reduction
The fruition of a lengthy state planning process required by SB 375 may come as early as Sept. 23 when the CA Air Resources Board may adopt targets for 18 metropolitan regions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing vehicle miles traveled.
PRT (podcars) ready for prime time
San Jose hosts the 4th Podcar Conference, Oct 27-29, part of San Jose's Green Vision.
Ownership Undecided on California Naval Base Redevelopment
A decommissioned naval base in Concord, California, is moving steadily towards redevelopment as a mixed use community. But who will own the redeveloped base is still undecided.
How could Ventura transform?
A short documentary exploring the development challenges that the City of Ventura faces.
Community Says 'No' to In-N-Out
Locals in Walnut Creek are up in arms over a proposed In-N-Out Burger. Columnist Tom Barnidge says that while "provincialism often is the catalyst for complaint," there is reason to protest in this case.
Planning for a High Turnover
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) begins a two-year tryout of new parking technologies.
Enticing Millennials to a New Suburbia
At a seminar on "Re-working Suburbia" in San Leandro, California, urban designers and planners strategized for ways to upgrade Bay Area suburbs to attract millennials.
Beijing Teams With L.A. to Fight Congestion
The transportation agencies of Los Angeles and Beijing -- two of the world's most congested cities -- are joining forces to address their traffic issues.
Parking Behavior Changes Overnight
Bill Fulton, Mayor of the City of Ventura, reports that within moments of launching paid parking on downtown streets drivers began behaving as intended, with all-day parkers moving to new lots.
Bay Area Gets First HOT Lane
The Bay Area has long resisted freeway toll lanes of any sort - but that is about to change Sept. 20 when 14 miles of the southbound lane of I-680 from Sunol (East Bay) to Milpitas (South Bay) open as an Express or High Occupancy Toll lane.
Printing Homes in 3-D
3-D printers are changing the way architects and builders make models for their clients, but a start-up in California is actually working on a giant printer that will build buildings in life-size.
Innovative "Catalyst Projects" Need Support
Calfornia's Dept. of Housing and Community Development recently dubbed a number of developments as "catalyst projects." Paul Shigley says they're well chosen, but money would have worked better than medals.
Using Crowds, and GPS, to Chart Roadkill
Ron Ringen has logged more than 1,400 animals for a roadkill project. "I'm almost a fanatic with it," he said. "You get hooked."
L.A.'s New Subway Not A Huge Traffic Solution
A new report from the Los Angeles transit authority shows that construction of a new subway connecting the west side of the city would cause only a small reduction in car traffic.
Backing the Infrastructure Bank
The Los Angeles Times is standing behind President Barack Obama's recently announced infrastructure bank proposal, but not just because it could boost transit in L.A.
Pedestrian-Only Zone Proposed for San Diego
With the centennial of the Panama-California Exposition that created San Diego's Balboa Square approaching, the city is considering turning back the neighborhood to its former car-free glory.
Southern CA MPO Snubs Air Board By Reducing Emissions Targets
The Southern California Association of Governments rebuffed the CA Air Resources Board by deliberately setting lower targets for greenhouse gas emissions per SB 375, the 2008 law intended to reduce GHG emissions from transportation.
HSR Opponents Vow To Continue Litigation
Contention over how California's high speed rail train from Los Angeles should access the Bay Area appears to be the dispute that won't go away. Having just lost their case in court only 2 weeks ago, approval of the Pacheco Pass may continue.
'Greening the Ghetto'
Low income housing can also be green housing. A new trend in home design and community activism is giving even inexpensive housing a green sheen.
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
