California
The Congestion of Good Intentions in L.A.
The addition of a 10-mile carpool lane to one of Los Angeles' busiest freeways is creating a huge stress on the region's transportation system.
Solar Power Moves Ahead in The California Desert
"Nine projects in California are making their way through the Bureau of Land Management's fast-track program which, if completed, will bring over 4,500 megawatts worth of generating capacity onto the grid."
The "Monumental Folly" of California City
Created by Nathan Mendelsohn, California City is the state's thrid largest in size but exists mostly in his imagination. Home to 14000 people who inhabit one end of the massive tract, just a corner next to over 185 square miles of empty development.
Congestion Pricing, Carpool Charging And Driver Behavior
KALW's transportation reporter takes a ride across the Bay Bridge during the peak period to experience the new travel patterns brought on by the Bay Area's first experience with congestion pricing - she interviews a UC specialist in human behavior.
Bay Area High Speed Rail Debate: City Vs. Suburb?
The San Francisco Peninsula stretch of the LA-SF high speed rail line appears to be stirring up as a classic debate between suburban San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.
Berkeley's BART Tunnel Should Be Model For Peninsula Rail Opponents
San Mateo County, hotbed of opposition to high speed rail, including numerous lawsuits, might be better served by following the 1960s Berkeley example in passing a bond to tunnel the train through the impacted cities, suggests local editor.
After Years of Delays, San Francisco's Bike Plan Hits the Street
Delayed from implementation for four years, San Francisco's bicycle plan has been legally ruled into action. The first lanes are being painted.
Food Farms Become Solar Farms
Decommissioned farms and fields in California are being scouted as possible sited for renewable energy production.
"Circle Less. Live More": Words To Park By
Explaining the mechanics of market-based parking can be pretty dry, if not outright wonkish. SF Park livens up the topic with (bike) bells, horns and cute, animated graphics in a new video.
San Francisco Could Learn A Thing Or Two From NYC
San Francisco Chronicle architecture critic John King returns from a trip to New York with a look at several lessons that the City-by-the-Bay could (gasp!) learn from Manhattan.
Downturn Helps Downtown L.A. Avoid Gentrification
The crash of the economy happened at the right time for gentrifying downtown Los Angeles, according to this piece from the Los Angeles Times.
Adam Smith's Economic Principles Reduce San Francisco Parking Congestion
After years of preparation, San Francisco has implemented a new system that will adjust the price of parking spots according to supply and demand.
Infrastructure Investment Stimulating Job Creation in Southern California
Major hubs of transportation and logistics are planning major capital investments in Southern California over the next several years.
San Francisco Bike Plan Ban Lifted
A 4-year legal battle over whether SF's bike plan was in compliance with the state's environmental law has been settled - the city has the go-ahead to resume planning and implementing new bike facilities designed to increase bike riding.
World's Largest Solar Plant Plan Gets Closer to Reality
BrightSource Energy wants to build three solar thermal plants in San Bernardino County, California which would produce 392 megawatts of electricity. A state energy commissioner released a 576-page report that approves of the plan.
Is Water Control Out of Control in SoCal?
Mark Gold, president of Heal the Bay, says that the Los Angeles Regional Water Control Board is the least environmentally friendly board in decades.
The Role of a Big City Planning Director: Visionary or Expeditor?
Michael LoGrande, recently approved as the next Planning Director for the city of L.A., is a city hall insider with a reputation as an expeditor. Former interim Planning Director Mark Winogrond questions the process by which LoGrande was selected.
L.A.: 'Most Politicized' Planning In The World
An all-star panel of architects, developers and journalists convened to offer advice to L.A.'s new planning director.
Using YouTube to Make Zoning Understandable
The City of Oakland, California has produced a series of videos to help explain what zoning is and what the city's zoning update will do. The city's zoning code hasn't been comprehensively updated since 1965.
Michael LoGrande Appointed As Los Angeles' New Planning Director
Chief Zoning Administrator Michael LoGrande has been promoted to director just a few short weeks after his predecessor, Gail Goldberg announced her resignation.
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
