California
The Manhattanization Of L.A.
In this piece from the Los Angeles Times, Joel Kotkin writes about how L.A. politicians are blindly following the lead of developers in densifying the city without adequately debating the consequences.
Is Joel Kotkin The Anti-Planner?
Los Angeles pundit Joel Kotkin's most recent diatribe about the alleged "Manhattanization" of Los Angeles has put Bill Fulton over the edge. Kotkin's arguments are old, tired and contradictory, says Fulton.
Bringing Seoul To Los Angeles
Korean American architect Christopher Pak is successfully bringing high density living to Los Angeles.
Good Management The Secret To Successful Communities
Cerritos, California, has become one of the more successful suburbs of Los Angeles by applying superb management techniques.
California Publishes New Hazard Mitigation Draft Plan
The California Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) is the state's plan for reshaping and strengthening the built environment to significantly reduce disaster losses created by natural and human-caused hazards.
The Line Between Fighting Gentrification And Plain-Old NIMBY
When does an 'anti-gentrification group' cross the line to simply stopping progress in a community? That charge has been leveled against San Francisco's Mission Anti-Displacement Coalition after the city's environmental review process was expanded.
New Plan, New Growth Pattern
The City of Sacramento is looking to change its growth pattern as it prepares a new version of its general plan.
Adressing Parks Shortage Crucial To Future Of L.A.
Los Angeles is one of the most parks-deficient cities on the West coast. How planners address this shortage will shape the future of the city, writes Christopher Hawthorne.
Orange County Goes Urban, In A Suburban Sort Of Way
A 1,400-unit condo project in Irvine demonstrates Orange County's newfound urban qualities, as well as its reluctance to shake suburban design values, according to Bill Fulton, who recently visited the construction site.
San Francisco's Congestion Pricing Plan Receives Conditional Federal Funding
The Bay Area received $158 million from a federal congestion pricing program for improvements to traffic, transit, and parking, but it is conditional upon San Francisco and California legislative approval for the controversial tolls on Doyle Drive.
Personal Tales Of Road Rage In The City Of Angels
As more cyclists and runners use the streets of Los Angeles, incidents of road rage and accidents are on the rise.
Downtown L.A. Is Improving, But Developers Are Driving
With a surge in population and some large-scale retail and entertainment complexes in the works, downtown L.A. is in the midst of a major urban shift. But as this column from the Los Angeles Times argues, developers are shaping the growth.
Transit Project Could Remake The Image Of San Francisco
The design competition for San Francisco's Transbay Terminal has the potential to redefine the city, writes John King.
From Flea Market To TOD
A flea market space located adjacent to a planned expansion of the Bay Area Rapid Transit system in San Jose, California, may be replaced with a mixed use transit village.
Drivers Sidelined By Critical Mass Riders
San Francisco's Critical Mass bike ride has become an institution in the city, giving cyclists a monthly chance to physically advocate bike awareness.
The Smoggiest Town In America
The Central California town of Arvin exceeds federal ozone standards more often than any other city in the nation, according to EPA figures. But for Arvin residents, the smog has only local effects, not local sources.
Advocates Upset Over Proposed Changes To Affordable Housing Policy
Housing advocates in Sacramento are up in arms over proposed changes to the city's housing policy that would shift responsibility for building affordable units from the developer to the city -- changes they say will limit the policy's effectiveness.
L.A. Joins California Cities In Park Smoking Ban
Joining the ranks of Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Diego, the city of Los Angeles has approved a ban on smoking in public parks.
The Difficulty With Implementing Planning Ideals
New urbanist designs can be beautiful in the hands of experts, but the developer's version of idealistic plans may be something else altogether, says Morris Newman, who examines the design of a 500-acre project in Fresno.
Will The Auto Mall Come To Berkeley?
The City of Berkeley, California, is considering changing is long-held policy against auto malls within city limits.
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
