California

The Infrastructural City

A new book pulls back the glitz of Los Angeles and uncovers the complex infrastructure of the region.

February 14, 2009 - The Los Angeles Times

SB 375 Likely to Affect Neighborhood Growth Battles

This report takes a local perspective on CA's new land use law, in the context of two preceding environmental laws, CEQA and AB 32. While the former enabled activists to fight new growth, the pendulum has begun to swing toward developers.

February 12, 2009 - The Berkeley Daily Planet

My City's More Man Than Yours

It may come as little surprise to some that the tech-heavy city of San Jose has more males than females. But in other parts of the Silicon Valley, just the opposite is true.

February 12, 2009 - San Jose Mercury News

North Carolina Tries Toughening Up Emissions Standards

NC Rep. Price Harrison hopes that the third time's a charm when he reintroduces legislation requiring higher auto emissions standards. If it passes, the state's standards may start looking more like California's within the coming year.

February 12, 2009 - The News & Observer

SF a Model for Casual Carpooling

"Casual carpooling," an informal system involving commuting with complete strangers, has taken off in the Bay Area. Passengers and drivers cite money, time, and the environment for its success.

February 11, 2009 - GOOD Magazine

Urban Planner Creates Bicycle-Pedestrian Fantasy Model for Santa Monica

The Latino Urban Forum's James Rojas has made a name for himself by designing interactive planning models for some of the LA area's most famous neighborhoods. Recently, he took a crack at creating a more sustainable Santa Monica.

February 11, 2009 - Los Angeles Streetsblog

Inland Empire Seeks Solutions to Foreclosure Crisis

Ron Loveridge, the mayor of the Inland Empire's largest city, Riverside, details how regional and local leaders are working to recover from the effects of the foreclosure crisis.

February 7, 2009 - The Planning Report

Why San Francisco's Bike Sharing Plan Won't Work

This piece from Streetsblog San Francisco looks at the city's recently announced plans for a bike sharing program and why the 50-bike pilot is likely to fail.

February 7, 2009 - Streetsblog San Francisco

The Aesthetic Dangers of Group Decisionmaking

In response to an essay on restricting outdoor advertising in L.A., designer and lawyer Lawrence Barth argues that putting these decisions into the hands of groups -- whether city- or activist-led -- can lead to unintended consequences.

February 7, 2009 - Design Observer

Redevelopment Plan for Queen Mary Hits Rough Waters

An investment group that bought the Queen Mary had big plans to redevelop the parking lots and moribund area around the grand ship. The difficult economy, however, appears to be jeopardizing those plans.

February 6, 2009 - California Planning & Development Report

Chu: California Could Lose its Cities to Climate Change

Energy Secretary Steve Chu delivers a grim warning for California: Slow the pace of climate change or the state will lose its agriculture and cities.

February 5, 2009 - Guardian (UK)

EPA's Emissions Waiver Not Enough

This editorial lauds the new president for acting hastily on granting the waiver to allow CA and 13 states to require higher mileage vehicles, but warns it must not be an end in itself. A higher gas tax, it notes, will do more to reduce emissions.

February 5, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Driving On A Beer Buzz

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is working with startup E-Fuel to create gas from their brewing yeast waste.

February 5, 2009 - Earth2Tech

Height-For-Space Strategy Works, Mostly

San Francisco and other cities have historically given developers the incentive to build taller for providing a proportional amount of public space. This article looks at what has worked as well as how it has backfired.

February 4, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

'Nonconforming Urbanism' the New Face of Density

Architect Teddy Cruz examines the south-north flow of "nonconforming urbanism" in the Tijuana-San Diego region, and how changing communities in this dynamic area could shape the way we think about increasing density.

February 4, 2009 - The Nation

Google and NASA Team Up to Save the World

Futurist Dr. Ray Kurzweil is part of a team of big thinkers on the faculty of Singularity University, a joint project of Google and NASA with a mission to solve "humanity's grand challenges."

February 3, 2009 - TechCrunch

L.A. Orders 'Supergraphics' Removed

As part of the city's drawn-out battle with outdoor advertisers, Los Angeles officials have ordered building owners to remove "supergraphic" ads plastered to the sides of large buildings.

February 3, 2009 - The New York Times

Vehicle Retirement Program Considered For Stimulus

A program known as ‘cash for clunkers’ is being considered for inclusion in the Senate stimulus package to make the U.S. auto fleet more fuel-efficient and stimulate demand for new, cleaner cars. Will the older vehicles will be scrapped or resold?

February 2, 2009 - Bloomberg News

Camouflaging Infrastructure

Artist Joshua Callaghan paints over utility boxes in his community to make them disappear into their surroundings.

February 2, 2009 - Joshua Callaghan

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.