California
Historic Hotels May Fall To Create Surface Parking
Citing a need for downtown parking, a public official in Stockton, California, has proposed demolishing eight historic hotel buildings to build parking lots.
Pay As You Drive (PAYD) System Test Gets Go Ahead
In six states, test runs will assess public attitudes and acceptance of road taxation systems that ditch gas taxes and charge drivers based on how many miles they drive.
When The Lights Go Out In The City
For one hour next month, municipal facilities in San Francisco will voluntarily turn out their lights in a citywide effort to cut energy use.
San Francisco's Two Attempts At Congestion Pricing
The San Francisco County Transportation Authority is working on two applications of congestion pricing for the city's downtown core and on a major road leading to the Golden Gate Bridge.
'Portland Effect' Can Help Nation's Congestion Capital
What Los Angeles can learn about addressing congestion from Portland, OR.
Sky-High Transbay Terminal Design Selected
A team has been selected to build the new Transbay Terminal in San Francisco, which may result in the construction of an office tower of more than 1,200 feet.
Bill Seeks Fast-Track Approval For Emissions-Reducing Projects
A bill being pushed in the California State Senate looks to ease the approval of developments that reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- part of an effort to help the state reach its goal of 25% in reductions by 2020.
City Considers Crackdown On Training Cyclists
City officials are considering a crackdown on high-speed packs of cyclists who train near the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California. Many collisions have occurred between bikers, pedestrians, and cars, and the city is seeking a safe compromise.
'Rural Sprawl' Increases Fire Threat In Sierras
Increasing development in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains is adding significantly to the area's fire risk. Some are calling for more scrutiny in the approval of further development in the fire-prone area.
One Week Lost To Traffic Nationally, Two In L.A., O.C.
Los Angeles and Orange counties are once again home to the longest amounts of time drivers waste in traffic congestion, at 72 hours per year. Nationally, the average amount of time lost to traffic congestion is 38 hours -- nearly a full week's work.
Progress Slow For San Diego's 'City of Villages' Plan
The city's lauded framework plan for implementing smart growth practices has failed to deliver on its promises, say some residents and experts.
Preservationists Eye Bukowski's Bungalow
Literary fans and preservationists push for the recognition and historic designation of a Los Angeles bungalow once occupied by poet and novelist Charles Bukowski. The property is currently up for sale and threatened with demolition.
A Power Grab For San Diego Planners?
A proposal to combine the planning and development services departments could give San Diego's planning director the power to plan for the long-term -- or perhaps lead to more political scandal.
Density Isn't New For Los Angeles
Forgotten in the ongoing debate about new high-density development is the city's long history of multi-family and mixed-use housing.
San Francisco Buses May Nab Double-Parkers
Motorists beware - if you double-park in a transit-only lane in San Francisco next year, that bus behind you could take your photo resulting in a $250 citation, if AB 101 is signed by Governor Schwarzenegger.
Pasadena: The Great Planning Success Story
In a ranking of California's best and worst mid-sized city downtowns, California Planning & Development Report concluded that Pasadena's reputation is well-earned. Many say the transformation has been miraculous -- and it continues today.
Late-Session Bill May Make L.A. Entertainment Complex Eligible For Housing Funds
A controversial bill approved at the end of the California State Senate's regular session may allow developers of a massive entertainment development in downtown Los Angeles to compete for millions of dollars in affordable housing funds.
Housing Versus Jobs and Tax Revenue In San Jose
Planners in San Jose, California, say the massive conversion of industrial lands is eroding the city's jobs and tax Base. Housing developers disagree.
L.A. May Place Moratorium On Fast Food
The Los Angeles City Council will consider a moratorium on fast-food restaurants in South L.A., a part of the city with high rates of obesity and below-average access to grocery stores.
Traffic At Heart Of 'Urbanophobia' In Redeveloping L.A.
As downtown Los Angeles undergoes a massive redevelopment, the major concern is not whether it will be another New York, nor if its public spaces will improve, but rather how much worse traffic will get, writes Sam Hall Kaplan.
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
