California
L.A. Set To Become Next Big City To Mandate Green Development
The L.A. planning commission approved regulations requiring that major new developments meet U.S. Green Building Council LEED standards, with the goal of reducing energy use in new building by 15%.
Big Vision For Little Saigon
Orange County, California's Little Saigon is not the tourist and cultural center it should be, according to the Urban Land Institute, which has completed a study of the area and released recommendations for revitalization.
Citywide Green Building Rules Under Consideration
San Jose, California is considering a plan to require all new private developments to follow strict environmental standards. Builders and developers are opposed and claim the move will be bad for the city as it tries to encourage business growth.
Double Decker Bus To Be Tested In San Francisco
San Francisco plans to test out a double-decker bus for possible adoption into its public transit fleet.
Land Use Planning And Climate Change May Be Linked In Lawsuits
While Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has received fame for making global warming a priority, he has studiously avoided the land use connection. Not so for California's attorney general, who is tackling the issue head on, even warning of litigation.
A 'Broader Renaissance' For L.A.'s Broadway
Long neglected, the Broadway theater district of Los Angeles is a far cry from New York's thriving theater district. But renewed interest in L.A.'s old theaters may bring about an arts renaissance.
Is Eminent Domain Being Abused?
Comedian Drew Carey takes a straight-faced look at eminent domain and how the land acquisition practice has gone from beneficial to abusive in National City, California in this video from Reason.
Small Town Uneasy About Chain Invasion
Plans to bring chain outlets such as Starbucks and Subway to a small California town have locals up in arms over what they see as a threat to their town's historic character.
Automakers Announce Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars
Honda, Ford, and GM will put hydrogen fuel cell cars on the road in Southern California.
Green Condos in Downtown L.A. Defy the Cooling Housing Market
Developers plan to continue with a major project in downtown L.A. despite a slowing market, confident in demand for environmentally-friendly homes and walkable, urban neighborhoods.
When the Museum of Tolerance Loses Neighborhood Tolerance
West Los Angeles neighbors of the Museum of Tolerance are opposing a planned addition to the popular Holocaust education center due to increased traffic and noise, and late-night private functions.
San Jose: 'Not For Sale By Owner'
Economist Peter Gordon reflects on a recent tour of San Jose, California -- where the so-called "revitalized" downtown is dead and nearly one-third of the city is blighted.
Congress Members May Oppose Funding For California High Speed Rail
A dispute over two possible routes for California's high-speed rail line has elevated to members of Congress formally opposing federal funding for a route that does not include their districts.
Sacramento To Decide Fate Of Downtown Railyards
The fate of Developer Richard Rich's vision for 240 acres of downtown Sacramento will be decided by the city's planning commission upcoming vote.
West Hollywood's Laundry List Of Poor Planning
This blog post from LAist bemoans the rampant development of West Hollywood and outlines "Ten Reasons to be Pissed at the WeHo City Planners".
New Homes Being Built In Wildfire Zones
New development in Southern California's wildfire zones are required to provide safety features such as special landscaping and fireproof materials. Critics say cost to society is high.
Friday Funny: Disney's 'Urban Adventure'
As the Disney Corporation and the city of Anaheim, California, squabble over a proposal to build affordable housing near the Happiest Place on Earth, Morris Newman suggests turning the affordable housing project into an "urban theme park".
The Wasteland Of L.A.'s Toy District
This slideshow from Polar Inertia looks at the Toy District of Los Angeles -- an area that is not nearly as fun as its name would suggest.
Beavers Allowed To Stay Despite Flood Threat
Beavers that have moved into and made a home of part of a creek in the Bay Area city of Martinez will be allowed to stay, despite the flood threat their dam poses to the city's downtown. Many are calling the beavers the city's new tourist attraction.
Bay Area Drivers Would Support Global Warming Gas Tax
A surprising poll shows that Bay Area residents -- who already pay the nation's highest gas prices -- would agree to a 25-cent gas tax if revenue were applied to reduce global warming. Efforts are underway to put that support to a vote.
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
