California
Can Los Angeles Plan Its Way To Mobility?
With a growing population, a sprawling urban landscape, and uncertain public funding, Los Angeles seems to be hoping for a miracle with its latest transportation planning effort.
Crime Cameras Move Crime, Not Deter It
In San Francisco, "crime cameras" intended to ward of crime and record any illegal activity that occurs have been shown by a recent report to do little to prevent crimes from taking place.
Californians Say 'Make Gas Guzzlers Pay'
A new poll shows that many of the state's residents support new ideas for funding transportation improvements, including charging higher fees to drivers of SUVs and other fuel inefficient vehicles.
Court Blocks City from Razing Historic Downtown Hotels
In response to the City of Stockton's attempts to block a lawsuit by citizens' group Save Old Stockton concerning demolition of several historic hotels, a California judge granted a temporary injunction to allow time for the lawsuit to proceed.
When Redevelopment Plans Work
Once considered a backwater near Los Angeles' westside, Culver City has experienced a resurgence. Residents like the new restaurants, but aren't prepared to cope with all the effects of the successful redevelopment.
Parking Violations Could Generate $100 Million for San Francisco
San Francisco is considering a plan to boost its fees for parking violations -- a move that could end up bringing in a total of $100 million in revenues from the pockets of illegal parkers.
Maligned Redevelopment Agencies Asked To Solve Foreclosure Crisis
California's redevelopment agencies are feeling pressure on numerous fronts these days. Some may go out of business next year. Still, state lawmakers are considering giving the agencies authority to buy out subprime mortgages.
Slow Adoption For SF's Pay-By-Phone Parking Meters
The city has outfitted more than 1,000 parking meters with new technology to allow motorists to pay over the phone. Yet most of them haven't noticed.
California Needs Rail, Not Roads
The recent vote against a new toll freeway in Orange County signals that California's don't want more roads. Instead, transportation dollars should go to building the state's high-speed rail system.
A Look at L.A.'s Density Bonus
This segment from Which Way, L.A.? discusses Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's density bonus plans.
Port of L.A.'s Clean Trucks Plan Draws Private Sector Critique
Differences between the clean trucks programs at the ports of Long Beach and L.A. may bring months of litigation, derailing clean air efforts at the nation's largest port complex.
Using Fees On Motorists To Fund Public Transit
A bill introduced in Sacramento could pave the way for Los Angeles County to raise $400 million dollars a year for public transit from motorists -- who'd pay more for gas or vehicle registration.
Building in the Danger Zone
This article from Next American City looks at the new land use ideas that are guiding development in disaster-prone areas.
Los Angeles' Brawl With Sprawl
Officials in Los Angeles were successful in implementing high-density growth policies to curb sprawl. However, a disconnect between culture, transportation policy, and the real estate market may have disastrous consequences.
Embracing Alleys in San Francisco
Alleys are a major part of the character of San Francisco, and many parts of the city are trying to embrace these unique aspects of the urban makeup.
Funding Bureaucracy Highlights L.A.'s Parks Deficit
The city of Los Angeles is currently sitting on more than $130 million dollars intended to build parks. But those funds are tied to council districts high in development, leaving districts with little development high and dry.
Irvine, Former Subprime Capital, Struggles in Wake of Meltdown
While housing markets in the rest of the country reel from the mortgage crisis, Irvine, the city that was once home to 18 subprime lenders, is seeing its local economy suffer as the effects of high profile bankruptcies ripples to other businesses.
San Francisco's New PD Talks About City's Challenges
Architect Magazine talks with San Francisco's new planning director, John Rahaim, about the urban planning challenges and issues in the city.
A Rerun In The Campaign For Mayor Of L.A.
Twenty years ago, Los Angeles voters chose Tom Bradley's "world city" vision over a slow-growth councilman's carping about overdevelopment. Voters may face the same choice - and one of the same candidates - in 2009.
Wi-Fi Plans Dropped Over Health Concerns
Officials in the California city of Sebastopol have gone back on an agreement with an Internet provider that was planning to create a municipal Wi-Fi network for the city. They cited health concerns in their decision.
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
