California
Managing L.A.'s Mounting Waste Flow
Director Rita Robinson discusses the Bureau of Sanitation's pursuit of a cleaner, greener, and landfill-free L.A.
Mercury Cleanup Plan Approved For San Francisco Bay
The State of California has approved a plan to clean mercury from the San Francisco Bay. Due to the high concentration of the harmful toxin, the extensive effort has a 70-year timetable.
Is Downtown Los Angeles Finally A Neighborhood?
With the reopening of Ralph's Grocery Store -- the first full service supermarket in Downtown Los Angeles in over 50 years -- planners and developers are ready to declare the area's redevelopment efforts an official success.
Orange County Plans Hybrid Bus-Rail Line
In the latest sign that the once suburban county is now increasingly urban, Irvine, California officials have approved plans for a new bus and streetcar line to connect the city's commuter rail station with several new and existing developments.
Building Green? Move To The Front Of The Permit Line
A San Mateo County supervisor is proposing that the county reward developers of environmentally-friendly projects with faster permit approvals.
Growth Is Not Inevitable In California
Everyone assumes that California's population will continue to grow for decades to come. But even with current projections for growth, history tells us that this fact isn't inevitable.
Politicians Propose Water Projects For Dry California
After a dry winter, politicians in California are proposing major water projects to help ensure that the state's residents and expansive farming community have enough water in the future. Measures will likely be included on the state's 2008 ballot.
San Francisco Parking Initiative: Aparkalypse Now?
A "graphic look" at the pro-parking referendum sponsored by Gap founder Don Fisher.
Friday Funny: Proposed San Diego Tower Has Controversial Design
The developer of a new 40-story building in downtown San Diego is going back to the drawing boards after criticism that the building resembled a phallus.
Who Is A 'Stakeholder'?
After eight years of existence, neighborhood councils in Los Angeles are still struggling to define who should be involved in their process of advising the city.
Los Angeles Planners Envision Inland Port
As the gateway for much of the freight-container cargo destined for the U.S. becomes increasingly clogged, planners in Southern California have proposed building an inland port facility to handle regional goods movement and relieve congestion.
Real Estate Slowdown Causes Impact Fee Backlash
With the real estate market in the doldrums, developers are pressuring local government officials in California to cut impact fees. Will fee cuts spur new development? Maybe, writes Bill Fulton.
Post-Dotcom San Francisco Resurges
San Francisco is experiencing a resurgence of high-tech businesses and wealth similar to what was seen during the dotcom boom. But this time around, the city's recovery from the bust of the dotcom era has a much different character.
San Francisco Considers Green Building Mandate
The city could lead the nation in eco-conscious building regulations if officials adopt new proposed standards.
The Battle Over San Francisco's Parking Policy
Developers and businesses opposed to the city's smart growth-friendly parking limits are fighting back with a proposed ballot measure to reinstate minimum parking requirements.
Southern California Planners Predict $100 Billion In Transportation Needs
With the population expected to surge to 60 million by 2050, most agree that the region needs major investment, though the sources of funding remain unclear.
California 2050: Sprawl Or Skyscrapers?
Study predicts that by 2050 California's population will grow by 75%. Experts weigh in on what this means to planning for the state's growth.
Town For Sale On Ebay, Again
The town of Bridgeville, California, is for sale for the third time on the online auction site.
Skyscrapers Invade San Francisco
Will new high-rise buildings ruin the city's landscape?
The Dark Side Of 'Green' Power
Generating energy from renewable sources such as wind and water often requires stringing new transmission lines to remote areas, a prospect that concerns some environmentalists.
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
