California
Ten Ideas For Fixing L.A.'s Traffic
Transit experts Jim Moore, Don Shoup, Joel Kotkin, Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, Ted Balaker, Joel Reynolds and Brian Taylor all offer suggestions on how to affordably fix Los Angeles' traffic problems.
Environmental Lawsuits Fuel Roadbuilding In California
California's Department of Transportation has resorted recently to forcing developers to pay impact fees to fund freeway projects, to the chagrin of developers, local governments, and taxpayer groups.
California Establishes Statewide Ocean Preserves
The state has become the first in the nation to impose a statewide ocean preserve system, which is set to be put in place in phases beginning this summer. When fully established, 8 percent of the state's waters would be restricted from any human use.
Ventura, CA Adopts Downtown Retail And Office Strategy
Bill Fulton, a city council member for Ventura, California, offers an insider's view on adoption of the city's downtown retail and office strategy. The consultant's report.
L.A. Planning Director's Three Criteria For A Neighborhood
L.A. City's new Planning Director, Gail Goldberg, is now nearly as visible as the city's mayor or chief of police. She is at the beginning of a tough uphill battle to change planning in Los Angeles.
San Francisco's New Light Rail Line Runs Into Trouble
The start of regular service on the city's new light rail line creates major delays for the entire transit system.
New Ballpark Parking Plan Strikes Out
A new zoned parking scheme for Dodger Stadium created frustrated fans during the season opener, but parking experts believe the plan will work once patrons understand the new system.
Brownfields Reuse Success Stories
California's Department of Toxic Substances Control offers 20 case studies of successful reuse of brownfields sites within the state.
High Minority Populations Near California's Toxic Facilities
California has the highest amount of minorities living near industrial facilities in the nation. Los Angeles alone has more than 1 million living within two miles of hazardous waste facilities.
Developers And City Battle Over Affordable Housing Rules
Upset developers forced to set aside 25% of their development as affordable housing are facing off with city officials in Los Angeles over its inclusionary housing policies.
Planning And TOD To The Rescue
This column from The San Francisco Examiner describes how "urban planning can save the world", and identifies transit-oriented development as a major solution to global warming.
Convert A Condo--Take A Hike
At yesterday's L.A. City Council meeting, landlords and tenants sparred over affordable housing, money, and incentives for the middle class. After the dust settled, councilmembers voted: landlords may have to pay higher fees to relocate tenants.
San Francisco Bay Area Begins To Grow Again
After many years of lagging population growth many attribute to the bust of the dot-com boom, the San Francisco Bay Area has shown a positive population growth rate for recent years.
Back To The Future: The 1970 Los Angeles 'Centers' Concept Plan
Many say Los Angeles is a city that grew without any rational planning. In reality the planning was there -- but much of the best planning never quite materialized.
An Ode To Red Tile Roofs and Stucco
Nostalgia for the red tile roofs and stucco exteriors of 1980's SoCal suburbia.
Getting Smart Growth Without Gentrification
Planning activists in San Francisco are working to encourage infill development without neglecting social equity concerns.
When Eminent Domain Arrives In Your Junk Mail
Marcos M. Villatoro responds to receiving a "clumsy, ham-fisted" form letter from the Los Angeles Unified School District informing him that his house is one of the many to be taken to build a new elementary school.
Property Owners Fight Ban On Cliffside Development
California oceanside property is at the center of a regulatory takings case over regulations prohibiting construction on a landslide-prone area. Owners want to build on their property, but the city has banned development amid safety concerns.
San Diego Clamps Down On Condo Conversions
As part of a settlement of a lawsuit brought by housing advocates and environmentalists, the city council will move to cap the number of rental apartments that can be converted to condominiums each year.
California Feeling The Impact Of Urban Heat Island Effect
Increases in average temperatures are mostly caused by urbanization and not greenhouse warming argue authors of a recent study.
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
