California
BART Transit Village Idea Up In Air
Plans to develop a transit village around one of the San Francisco Bay Area's BART stations is gaining support, but some local officials are voicing concerns over the increased load on city infrastructure and services.
Not Everyone Wants To Protect L.A.'s Industrial Lands
The fate of industrial properties is the subject of a huge, ongoing battle in Los Angeles. City planners and economic development boosters want to prevent conversions to residential uses — much to the consternation of free-market advocates.
Bike Commuting: Point-Counterpoint
As part of a week-long series, Randal O'Toole and blogger Will Campbell discuss and debate bike commuting and what cities should or shouldn't do to encourage it.
Environmentalists May Delay High Speed Rail In California
With the $10 billion bond slated for the November ballot in California, the latest twist in the long saga of delays is that environmentalists, unhappy with the proposed route into the Bay Area from the Central Valley, threaten to litigate the EIR.
L.A.'s Public Squares Leave Much To Be Desired
This piece from the Los Angeles Times Magazine looks at the recent trend of including public squares in high-profile L.A. projects, and examines why they don't really work in the traditional sense.
Interest Groups To Determine Future of More Than 140,000 Acres
Following PG&E's bankruptcy, the private nonprofit Stewardship Council was assigned the task of conserving and reorganizing PG&E's 140,000 acres located in the Sierra Nevada and Upper Cascade Mountains.
Simple Solutions To California's Water Shortage
Years of low rainfall are causing many in California to think hard about diminishing supplies of water. In this commentary, author Peter Gleick argues that wise water use and management -- not big-scale infrastructure projects -- is the solution.
L.A.'s Subway Plans Should Look To Public-Private Partnerships
L.A.'s regional transit system needs a spine, and the "Subway to the Sea" from downtown to the westside could be that spine. But to make it happen, the city needs to think about a public-private partnership, according to this commentary.
Wi-Fi Plans Revived in San Francisco
A private firm has announced a proposal that would create a free wireless Internet network in the entire city of San Francisco.
The Evolution of San Francisco - Winners & Losers
San Francisco is in flux - more than just the sky-line is changing. Middle-class families, blacks, even Latinos may be in flight while whites and Asians are on the rise, and the young and old rich fill the new high-rises.
Friday Funny: Land Use and Love Lost
California Planning and Development Report's Morris Newman looks at the land use issue that caused the break-up of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former TV news reporter Mirthala Salinas.
An Expert's Look At L.A.'s Congestion
Los Angeles City Beat talks with traffic expert Martin Wachs about congestion pricing and L.A.'s traffic problems.
California Is Defined By Cultural Changes Accompanying Its Enormous Growth
Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters examines both state and Census Bureau growth figures for California, concluding that the significant difference is less important than what the huge growth means for the future of the nation's most populous state.
San Francisco's Historic Gem Returned To Life
San Francisco's latest and perhaps most glorious restoration is the 1890 De Young Building that was the original home of The Chronicle has now been converted to a Ritz Carlton after having been an undignified office building for the last 43 years.
New Year To Bring $10 Toll To Southern California Commuters
In 2008, $10 tolls will be awaiting some Inland Empire commuters to Orange County who use the 91 Express Lanes of the Riverside Freeway, depending upon what day and time they travel home.
America's Global Warming-Fighting Attorney General
California Attorney General (and former governor) Jerry Brown may be to global warming what former NY Attorney General (now Governor) Elliot Spitzer was to corporate reform, as his widely watched lawsuits, and threats of lawsuits, have gained fame.
The Path To Preserving L.A.'s Industrial Lands
Preserving industrial land in Downtown L.A. is the focus of a broad city report to be released in January. The city recommends classifying specific areas into four land use categories to guide development in the area increasingly sought by investors.
California's Land Use Stories Of The Year
The sudden end to a hot housing market and planners' response to climate change were the top land use stories of 2007, according to California Planning & Development Report.
Urban Renewal Plan Translates To Job Loss And Gentrification
This editorial from the Orange County Register bemoans the urban renewal process proposed in a new specific plan for the city of Santa Ana that some say will gentrify the city's downtown and eliminate many industrial jobs.
California Experts on 'Establishing a Framework for Equitable Growth'
California's population is not only immense, it's incredibly diverse. Building the infrastructure to serve the state's current residents has proven a difficult task -- one that won't get any easier.
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
