California
Racheting Up San Francisco's Skyline
Planners and local officials want to see the city's height restrictions lifted and the city's skyline accentuated with new high-rise buildings.
Residents -- Not Planners -- Create The City Center In L.A.
There may not be a Times Square, but Los Angeles residents have created their own city centers wherever they can.
San Francisco's Successful Freeway Replacement Story
John King, urban design critic for the SF Chronicle, concludes that the replacement of a 1959 freeway in the heart of San Francisco with an elaborate boulevard is an urban success story, and so does the APA.
Bicycle Activist Works To Overcome L.A.'s Car Culture
Monica Howe, outreach coordinator for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, believes bike culture can transform Los Angeles.
Los Angeles' Most Horrendous McMansion of 2006?
Curbed Los Angeles names its hysterical 2006 winners for "The NIMBY Award", "Dumbest Planning Scheme", "Broker Boys & Babes Awards", and our favorites, the "Most Horrendous McMansion of the Year" and the "Worst Garagemahal."
L.A. Testing Universal Fare System
L.A. transit officials hope the new smart card system, in the works for more than a decade, will make riding buses and trains more customer-friendly.
Securing Water Supply Rated Farmers' Most Important Concern
A recent survey of California farmers and members of the state's Farm Water Coalition reveals that the majority of farmers place the highest importance on securing a dependable water supply for the state.
Los Angeles Spills Into The Mojave
Residents of the largely rural communities along the Cajon Pass, which connects the desert plateau to the Inland Empire and the rest of Los Angeles, lament the region's accelerating growth and loss of open space.
City Bouts With COG Over Housing Allocation
The Southern California city of Simi Valley is opposing recommendations from a regional association of governments that suggest the city should increase its housing stock. The city council sees the increase as unrealistic, citing a lack of land.
A Week Without A Car
A reporter goes a week without a car in the San Francisco Bay Area in this article about the pros and cons of non-car transport. Though the monetary costs were lower, the cost of time was much higher, especially for an inexperienced transit user.
Legislating A Safer Bike Ride In California
The tragic death of a tri-athlete student while bicycling in southern California has sparked a bill to create a three-foot buffer for any vehicle passing a cyclist – but will it create more problems than it attempts to solve?
High Cost Of Living Blamed For Slowing CA Growth
The population growth rate has decline for the sixth year in a row in California, causing policymakers to voice concern over a future shortage in the state's educated workforce. High costs of living are blamed for the decline.
'Solar Trees' For Google's Parking Lot
Google plans to turn barren parking into a source for clean energy.
Could Los Angeles Lead The Way For Transit?
With the city already having pioneered the freeway and car culture 50 years ago, could Los Angeles now lead the United States towards a resurgence in public transit ridership?
Can Busy Residential Streets Be As Toxic As Freeways?
Findings from a new study on air pollution found that notwithstanding lower traffic volumes, "heavily traveled secondary highways" may be just as toxic as freeways laden with diesel trucks or major railyards.
Horse-Riding Citizens Fight Grocery Store
In one of few areas in L.A. zoned to allow horses, Burbank horse owners have convinced the local planning board to reject a plan to build a Whole Foods grocery store in their neighborhood. The retailer offered concessions, but the battle continues.
Some Funds Approved For San Jose BART Extension
Funding issues are compounding the troubles involved in expanding the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) to include San Jose and other areas in Silicon Valley. A recent allocation of funds is keeping the plan moving.
Leasing Retail Space In Transit-Oriented Developments
Fruitvale Village in Oakland, California, provides a valuable case study for designing and leasing retail space in transit-oriented development projects.
Northern California A Bright Spot For Train Travel
The Captiol Corridor between Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area -- Amtrak's third most popular line -- celebrates its 15-year anniversary and reports growing ridership and rider satisfaction.
The Inverse Relationship Between Age And Transit Use
A recent survey reveals that San Diego County senior citizens are less likely to use public transportation as they grow older. Many seniors cite their lack of experience, long waits, and a lack of adequate routes as keeping them from using transit.
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
