California
Upscale Development Boom in the High Desert
Even as the housing market slows in Southern California, an upscale housing boom continues in Antelope Valley.
The Political Power of Big Oil in California
Using their large purses and incredible political strength in the California legislature, lobbyists for the oil industry have succeeded in killing any legislation they have deemed a serious threat to profits.
Unique Open Space Sales Tax Measure Attempts To Be Renewed
A quarter cent sales tax measure, which has raised $200 million since 1990 and preserved 70,000 acres of open space, may be put before the voters of Santa Rosa, CA, in November for early re-authorization.
Sacramento Creates Infill Housing Council
The council will work with city officials and developers identify workable sites for infill housing as an alternative to sprawl.
San Francisco Becoming Artist-Unfriendly
Long known as a city of writers and artists, San Francisco can't hold on to its creative types due to its high cost of living.
Will Sprawl Fee Spread To The Bay Area?
The Bay Area's Air Quality District is awaiting the outcome of the building industry's litigation against the country's first regulation of "indirect sources" in California's heavily polluted Central Valley.
A Turnaround For One Infamous L.A. Neighborhood
The revival of the Rampart District, a generation after it became one of the most violent districts in Los Angeles and seven years after its famous police scandal, shows how diverse are the factors that determine urban evolution.
Are Oakland's Schools Prepared For Downtown Housing Boom?
With tens of thousands of housing units springing up downtown and nearby classrooms already at capacity, the local school district is figuring out how to meet the coming demand.
Interview With L.A.'s New Planning Chief
Gail Goldberg speaks about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as she tackles planning for the nation's second largest city.
Small Box Architecture
A couple build their house using corrugated metal shipping containers.
$1 Billion Housing Bond Headed For L.A. City Ballot
A $1-billion bond measure that would help fund about 1,000 new affordable housing units annually over the next decade and enable middle-income workers to become first-time homeowners is likely to appear on the Los Angeles ballot in November.
Higher Taxes Could Encourage Sprawl
Proposed tax hikes in San Francisco could hurt the region's smart growth efforts by encouraging businesses to move out of the center city.
Californians May Soon Be Cooking With Cow Power
With the largest dairy herds in the U.S., California could generate up to 5% of its natural gas from cow manure.
What Happens When A Company Town Scales Back Public Services?
The quaint lumber company town of Scotia, California, fears a merger with its slightly larger, but economically-depressed neighbor across the river.
Bruegmann: Urban Myths About Sprawl And Congestion
Robert Bruegmann, author of "Sprawl: A Compact History," writes that traffic congestion is caused not by sprawl but by misconceptions about sprawl.
California's Worst Highways
A Los Angeles Times special report looks at California's crumbling highway system and identifies the state's worst roads.
Convention Center A Bad Investment For Taxpayer Dollars
Los Angeles' recent decision to provide over $300 million in public assistance for a new convention center hotel complex doesn't help the city or the taxpayer, says Joel Kotkin.
A Scathing Rebuke For LA's Building Department?
The Los Angeles City Controller issues a 235-page audit of the city's Department of Building and Safety. While the report appears to be highly critical, a close reading indicates most problems result from chronic understaffing.
Coverage Of Rob Lowe's Mega Mansion Leads To Newspaper Implosion
The wealthy, reclusive owner of the Santa Barbara News-Press rebukes editors for coverage of an article about actor Rob Lowe's petition to build a mega-mansion. It's the latest in a series of problems that leads to an 'editorial bloodbath'.
Ridership Plan May Be Thwarting TOD Plans
Caltrain's ridership has increased since it began its express service, but several cities looking to encourage TOD development are calling for restored local service to all stations.
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
