California
Mickey Mouse's Idea Of Planning
California Planning & Development Report columnist Morris Newman doesn't think much of the Disney Company's attempts to prevent housing development in Anaheim's resort district.
Rules Limiting Activities In Public Spaces Target Homeless
Broad regulations have been approved in Berkeley, California, that would ban certain activities in public spaces, such as laying on the ground and urinating. This set of rules seeks to impose greater control over the city's homeless population.
Presidential Candidate Stumps For Light Rail
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson promised to redirect funding from roads to mass transit if he's elected President.
How To Design A Good Building
Not all buildings can be great, but good design shouldn't be an afterthought either, argues architecture critic John King.
A Walkable Downtown Los Angeles?
As part of a new set of guiding principles that call on city planners to 'demand a walkable city', Los Angeles may adopt new standards requiring developers to widen sidewalks, not streets.
A Closer Look At Muni's Meltdown
San Francisco's largest transit agency is reviled by many residents because of its service delays and poor management.
California Sues Municipalities for Bad Urban Planning
Using a technique typically used by advocates, California's Attorney General is trying to use lawsuits to persuade local governments to curb sprawl and prevent global warming.
Court Grants Local Power Over Big Box Locations
A California State Supreme Court ruling has given cities and counties broad authority of what type of retail developments can move into their municipalities, and where they can be located. Under the ruling, cities will be able to ban big box stores.
Los Angeles' Smart Growth Saga
The city is working hard to increase density, but with Angelenos firmly attached to their cars and the region's transit moving at a snail's pace, can smart growth really work in L.A.?
Smart Growth Leaders Still Living Low Density American Dream
While encouraging the city's residents to embrace higher densities and public transit, many of Los Angeles's smart growth advocates live in single family homes and commute long distances in cars.
Roof Tiles Make It Easier For Homeowners To Go Solar
New solar roof tiles allow eco-conscious and well-heeled homeowners to enjoy the benefits of low-cost energy without annoying their neighbors with traditional solar panels deemed unsightly by some communities.
California's Governor Not On Board With High-Speed Rail
While simultaneously touting his 'green' policy agenda, California Governor Schwarzenegger is trying to put the brakes on the state's planned high-speed rail system in favor of traditional highway infrastructure improvements.
Sprawling? See You in Court!
Citing the threat posed by climate change, the State Attorney General of California Jerry Brown has filed suit against a community for failing to rein in sprawl.
Integrating The Farm With The City
The idea of linking agriculture and smart growth is gaining ground in California's booming rural areas.
Sell It As 'Smart Growth'
Savvy real estate developers who can promote their projects as smart growth developments are attracting significant capital from public pension funds -- regardless of the actual merits of the project.
Land Use Policy Paralysis On California Coast
Voters in Monterey County, California, have rejected environmentalists' general plan initiative, and appear to have tossed aside a county-written plan as well. The June 5 election was the latest conflict in the seven-year general plan process.
California Needs To Follow Sacramento's Regional Planning Model
A recent editorial argues that the successful model of regional planning in the Sacramento region known as the "Blueprint" provides an alternative to sprawl that needs to be applied statewide, and identifies current state legislation to do just that.
Transportation Expert Urges Napa To Support Higher Densities To Reduce Global Warming
Transportation expert Reid Ewing appeared in Napa to tout higher densities and mixed-use development. The county is updating it transportation plan and considering a second attempt to pass a transportation sales tax measure.
When TV Meets A Real Place, Prices Can Soar
The primetime Fox television show "The OC" and MTV's "Laguna Beach" may have helped increased real estate prices in Orange County, California.
San Francisco Public Schools' Battle To Survive
With high housing costs driving families out of San Francisco, the city's schools are trying innovative ways to improve education and attract the dwindling number of students.
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
