California
Is L.A. Ready to Rethink Mobility?
Plans to convert major arteries to one-way streets in L.A. are meeting tough criticism. Many say the city needs to rethink what mobility should mean, but others say L.A. isn't ready for such a paradigm shift.
Green Building Requirement Weighed in San Francisco
The city of San Francisco is considering a proposal to require most new commercial and residential buildings to comply with the green building standard LEED.
Tying Rail in Downtown L.A.
Plans are being floated to create better downtown linkage between three of L.A.'s rail lines -- an idea that some downtown residents are wary of.
Failing Infrastructure Causes Routine Sewage Leaks
Sewage routinely spills into the San Francisco Bay, mainly due to aging and crumbling infrastructure. This report looks at the issue.
Municipal Bankruptcy Woes
The cities of Vallejo, California, and McCall, Idaho, are considering filing for bankruptcy.
Variable Toll May Replace Flat Golden Gate Bridge Toll
The Bay Area's $158 million Urban Partnership Grant is in trouble. It appears politically unlikely that a roadway toll will pass the legislature, so officials hope to change the flat Golden Gate Bridge toll to a variable toll to receive the grant.
Bearing the Costs of Disaster Area Development
Should everyone pay for a few people to live in fire- and disaster-prone areas?
Injecting Public Space into Palm Springs
Palm Springs -- once the epicenter of Spring Break -- is criticized by many for lacking public spaces. Now, a collection of architects, planners and urban designers have put out some ideas for improving the city.
San Francisco Subway Plans Blasted
Plans to build a short subway in San Francisco are meeting criticism.
Land Unused
Residents and city officials in L.A. battle over what to do with unused land surrounding the Silver Lake Reservoir.
User-Funded Infrastructure Repair Proposed in L.A.
City officials in Los Angeles are considering a plan to repair the city's crumbling sidewalks by forcing homeowners to pay for their repair when the property is sold.
Environmentalists Split On Cap & Trade Approach To Climate Protection
In what may be viewed as a striking fracture to a unified approach to climate change, 18 environmental justice groups have announced their opposition to any type of carbon trading or even carbon offset approach, preferring use of carbon fees instead.
The Danger Of 1950s Planning In The 21st Century
An old Navy base presents the San Francisco suburb of Alameda with a great opportunity. However, a long-standing city policy that prohibits high-density development could quash that opportunity.
L.A. Pushes Green Building Standards
Los Angeles is moving forward with plans to institute one of the country's strictest green building ordinances.
Uproar Over Bond Funds Benefiting Railroads
When California voters approved the $20 billion transportation bond in Nov., 2006 they supported the expenditure of over $2 billion for 'goods movement' stemming from the state's busy ports. However, some local officials object to rail projects.
California Still Has Small Ag Towns? You Bet
California's Central Valley is a distinctive place - a farm belt with many small towns featuring classic downtowns. California Planning & Development Report rates the best of these downtowns.
L.A. Light Rail Changes Sought Due to Safety Concerns
Citing safety concerns, a grassroots organizer in Los Angeles is lobbying the city to rethink plans for a light rail line that passes by a school. He says the entire line should be built underground.
One-Way Plans Move Forward in L.A.
Plans are inching forward to convert two of L.A.'s most-used cross-town corridors into mostly one way streets.
Marine Protection Zone Proposed in California
California officials are proposing a broad swath of protected marine areas -- a plan that aims to reduce fishing and allow marine populations to flourish longer before being caught for consumption.
Is the Hollywood Sign Getting New Neighbors?
A 138-acre plot of land above L.A.'s iconic Hollywood sign is up for sale. Many in L.A. are protesting the sale, which could lead to the development of luxury homes on the site.
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
