California
Land Use Planning: Essential To Climate Protection
In this op-ed, regional planner and California American Planning Association officer Hing Wong emphasizes the importance of land use planning in meeting climate protection goals, citing examples of APA award-winning projects in the Bay Area.
San Francisco Bails on Free Transit Idea
An independent report has found that San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's idea to make transit free in the city would greatly increase delays, overcrowding and costs. Newsom has backed away from the idea.
Oakland to Open Eco-Friendly Homeless Shelter
Crossroads, a 125-bed homeless facility, incorporates green building concepts to better serve its clients. Many homeless people have respiratory-related health problems and a green building will be healthier for them.
Facelift in Works For L.A.'s Broadway
City officials in Los Angeles are planning to announce a proposal to revitalize the city's historic theater district in downtown's Broadway corridor, likely replacing the working class retail that has occupied the area for years.
Bringing San Francisco's Sixth Street Back to Life
San Francisco's Sixth Street has been decidedly run-down for years. But redevelopment efforts -- including the likely seizure of a vacant and historic hotel building -- may be changing the face of the street for the better.
Proposal To 'Unbundle' Parking Heads To San Francisco Supervisors
A San Francisco supervisor has proposed several changes in parking regulations that will result in reduced new housing costs, and potentially reduced car ownership and operation. It requires the approval of the Board of Supervisors.
L.A. Looks To Go Zero Waste By 2030
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has announced plans to bring the city to a zero-waste policy by 2030.
A Test for Walkability
The city of Pasadena, California has enlisted a groups of more than 100 volunteers to walks and evaluate its streets to rate the city's walkability.
Baby Steps to Downtown Living
Downtown L.A. is redeveloping into a residential neighborhood. But is it baby-friendly?
Dry Dry West
This article from National Geographic looks at the increasing strain on the water supplying the western U.S.
Funding Proposal May Halt California's High-Speed Rail Plans
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wanted lawmakers to pull a nearly $10 billion bill from the November ballot that would fund a long-sought high-speed rail system, but he now wants the legislation to require private funding partnerships.
L.A.'s 'Ecosystem' Beginning to Crack Under Hollywood Strike
The Hollywood writer's strike is beginning to have ripple effects throughout the Los Angeles economy, and has already cost the city $1.4 billion in lost wages.
Hot Air: Jerry Brown Becomes Climate Change Warrior
Former California Governor Jerry Brown, now the state's attorney general, is vowing to sue cities and counties that do not take climate change into consideration during general plan updates.
Lessons From Below Sea Level
Global warming is exacerbating the threat of flooding in low-lying areas such as Holland and California's Sacramento Delta. Politicians in California are looking to Holland for examples of how to prevent flooding from happening.
Train Funding Lowers Ridership in L.A.
Funding for L.A.'s rail projects is lowering transit ridership, according to this op-ed based on an analysis of transportation spending, subsidies and boarding statistics.
The Emergence of the Northern California Megaregion
The powerful northern California "megaregion" was revealed when it was awarded $840 million by the state Transportation Commission to the amazement and chagrin of southern California, which had been expecting to receive the majority of state funds.
Many Upset About Plans to Keep Industrial Lands Industrial
Plans to keep nearly 80% of downtown L.A.'s industrial lands exclusively industrial has developers and business leaders up in arms.
Revitalization Edging Out Blacks in San Francisco
A new light rail line, a number of condo projects and a broad revitalization plan are changing the face of San Francisco's Bayview district. Many in the neighborhood see the changes pushing out blacks.
'Affordable-By-Design' Recommended For San Francisco
The Examiner looks at the loss of middle-class housing in San Francisco, and how, based on a new report by a local urban think tank, allowing more flexibility in zoning would allow affordable, but market-rate housing to meet the demand.
Bikeable Cities: Point-Counterpoint
Part of a week-long series, Randal O'Toole and blogger Will Campbell debate why some cities are good for cyclists, how they got there, and why L.A. is still far off.
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
