California
Office Vacancies Could Cost San Francisco $200 Million by 2028
The fiscal toll of the pandemic is only beginning to reveal itself. The challenges presented to growing office vacancy rates are not unique to San Francisco.
Largest Dam Removal in U.S. History Clears Final Regulatory Hurdle
Four dams are coming down along the Klamath River. The final decision to remove the dams is a milestone political and legal victory for indigenous tribes living in Southern Oregon and Northern California.
Los Angeles County Launches Environmental Justice Department
The new department will develop plans for addressing the impacts of air and water pollution, extreme heat, and climate change on vulnerable communities.
San Francisco Could Strike Deal on New Tower
The city is leveraging height increases and density bonuses to acquire more properties for affordable housing.
Palo Alto Includes Industrial Rezonings in its State-Mandated Housing Element
Palo Alto, a Silicon Valley city with a history of exclusionary zoning tactics, has produced a new Housing Element that calls for more than 6,000 housing units to be built in the city by 2031.
Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit Boosts Ridership in San Francisco
The new rapid bus line has cut travel times by 35 percent and boosted ridership on the Van Ness corridor.
Fewer Women Riding Buses in Los Angeles
In a survey, riders expressed concern about safety, cleanliness, and timeliness on the region’s buses and trains.
SpaceX Removes Hyperloop Test Tube
After blocking sidewalk access for years, a tube segment in front of SpaceX’s Hawthorne office was removed at the city’s request, signaling a broader retreat from the project.
California Governor to Cities: Homelessness is a Crisis. “Act Like it.”
Days before facing reelection, Governor Newsom rejected every California locality’s plan for addressing homelessness, calling the proposals inadequate in fighting the massive crisis in a state where over 100,000 people are unhoused.
Using Technology to Advance Park Planning
A variety of new tools can help with community engagement and data collection and analysis for park planning projects.
Court Ruling a Setback for California’s ‘Builder’s Remedy’
A state court has ruled in favor of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ efforts to block a development project despite the state’s efforts to intervene.
San Diego Ponders How to Declare ‘Housing as a Human Right’
Landlords in the city believe housing rights shouldn’t supersede property rights.
The True Scale of Flood Hazard Facing Los Angeles
New research sheds light on how L.A.’s aging and poorly maintained infrastructure is putting hundreds of thousands more residents in flood hazard zones than previously estimated.
How Buildings Can Lead the Way to a Decarbonized Future
A public utilities building in Santa Rosa shows how innovations in architecture and grid management can reduce energy use and prepare buildings for a more sustainable energy future.
San Francisco Returns $15 Million Federal Grant for Market Street Improvements
San Francisco was awarded a federal grant in 2018 that it was forced to return in 2022 because it couldn't start construction by 2025.
New National Monument Proposed South of Joshua Tree
The 700,000 acre monument would protect threatened species and important historic and cultural sites.
Port of San Francisco, Army Corps of Engineers Planning for Rising Bay Waters
A massive climate adaptation planning effort is underway for the docks (and seawalls and landfill) of the San Francisco Bay.
Berkeley ADU Rules Found in Violation of State Law
A regulation limiting the number and size of ADUs in the Berkeley Hills runs afoul of state law, but supporters say it protects the safety of residents in fire-prone areas.
Sea Level Rise Threatens an Iconic California Train
A scenic Southern California line could require relocation as rising sea levels destabilize the coastal soil that supports its tracks.
Portland, Sacramento Propose Banning Camping Citywide
Both West Coast cities are preparing to criminalize sleeping on public streets, claiming new shelter beds will provide enough resources for their unhoused populations.
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
