California
Wilshire Grows and Traffic Follows
A swath of residential developments are ushering in a more dense and more lively atmosphere into L.A.'s Wilshire corridor. But many are concerned that the new residences will add too much traffic to an already congested area.
Developed Agricultural Land May Become 'The Next L.A.'
Farmland in Central California's San Joaquin County is replaced with development more than any other county in the state -- a wasteful pattern that could create the "next L.A.", according to a new report.
Similar Sister Cities
A look at the similarities between Los Angeles and Mexico City.
L.A. Looks To Move Beyond Coal With Wind
The Southern California region is rich in renewable assets, so the LADWP is attempting to become the nationwide leader in developing and integrating wind power.
Sacramento Outsmarts San Francisco, L.A.
Residents of San Francisco and Los Angeles like to feel superior to supposedly unsophisticated Sacramento. Yet, Sacramento appears to be ahead of the hip coastal areas when it comes to actually implementing smart growth.
Guarding the Hollywood Sign
This report from NPR looks at the impending sale of land on the hillside above the infamous Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, and the local official who's trying to prevent it.
L.A. Erasing Murals
Murals are under fire in Los Angeles, as city officials are painting over what they see as "illegal signs".
Affordable Housing May Be Required in San Francisco Redevelopment
A measure to require half of all new housing units in San Francisco's planned redevelopment of Bayview-Hunters Point is heading to the city's June ballot. The developer says the measure will kill the project.
Historic Preservation Through Virtual Reality
By utilizing virtual reality software, students at UC Berkeley are recreating a historic stretch of Oakland, California's 7th Street, a historic hotbed of jazz and blues clubs during the 1940s and '50s.
Evictions Precede Market-Rate Conversion of Affordable Housing
Plans to convert one of San Francisco's public housing projects into market rate housing has resulted in dozens of evictions, and more are expected.
Bay Area Reluctantly Warms Up to On-Ramp Metering
With increasing congestion and freeways built out just about as far as they can go, transportation planners in the San Francisco Bay Area are considering plans to put on-ramp metering lights on many of the area's most congested stretches of freeway.
If You Prevent It, They Won't Do It
The Golden Gate Bridge has a four foot railing along its pedestrian sidewalk. Mental health advocates have long demanded that a barrier be placed to prevent those intent on suicide from jumping, and point to studies showing why it is needed.
Small Town Approaching its Final Days
A proposed development in rural Southern California could erase one of the area's few remaining small towns, replacing it with a massive subdivision that would extend the sprawl of Los Angeles even farther north.
A Brief History of Planning in San Diego
As the city of San Diego prepares to consider a new general plan, the San Diego Union-Tribune looks back at the last 100 years in city planning.
Long Beach Mayor Discusses Incentives for Renewable Energy
At a recent conference in Southern California, Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster argues for the federal government to stay out of the way of good work and to sponsor an "Apollo Project" for renewable energy.
Fuel Cell Buses: A Tale Of Two Transit Agencies
In the San Francisco Bay Area, two public transit agencies are conducting trials with "Zero Emission Buses", or ZEBs. They are using different types of hydrogen fuel cell technologies, with very different results.
End of Downtown Construction Boom May Be Near
Two notable large-scale projects in downtown L.A. have not broken ground on time, which many see as a sign of the end of downtown's real estate boom.
Beneath the Surface of L.A.'s Densification
This article from the LA Weekly looks at efforts by the city planning department and key politicians to increase the density of the city.
Time To Solve Problems Of California's Delta Is Now
The largest estuary in the West, the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, has been in trouble for many years. Yet policy-makers have been unable or unwilling to undertake major projects. That may change in 2008.
New Findings on Immigrants, Crime, & Incarceration
A new report from a non-profit, non-partisan California think tank finds that immigrants, both legal and undocumented, have lower rates of incarceration and criminal activity in California than the U.S.-born population.
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
