California
Measure 37-like Initiative Defeated In Napa County, California
As with Oregon's Measure 37, a property-rights group sponsored a measure to compensate land owners for losses resulting from county land use decisions. Though defeated, a similar measure, "Protect our Homes", will appear on the November state ballot.
Transportation Taxes, Property Rights Initiatives Lose In California
While many eyes were on the Democratic primary, CP&DR was focused on California's land use ballot measures. Voters said no to sales tax increases for transportation purposes in five central and northern California counties.
Brownfields to Art Parks
When is a brownfield not a brownfield? When it's transformed by art works, as in two U.S. cities.
L.A. Stakeholders Perform 'Walk Audit' Downtown
L.A.'s downtown Business Improvement District calls on local business people, property owners, and residents to get stepping in L.A.'s Fashion District, to evaluate the area's walkability. The BID has $1.6 million to make improvements by 2008.
Weighing The Costs And Benefits Of Rooftop Gardens
An upcoming Los Angeles symposium will focus on greening the city's rooftops and overcoming the high implementation costs that have kept gardens off the roofs of skyscrapers.
'Smart Card' Technology Proving Troublesome To Bay Area Transit Operators
Once hailed the transit-pay mechanism of the future, the cards have become one of Bay Area transit's biggest flops. Yet the money keeps flowing while the costs keep rising.
What's Driving Children Out Of San Francisco?
It's been well documented that San Francisco has few households with children, and locals know that schools are closing because of declining enrollment. Yet pre-schoolers are on the rise -- why are families leaving the city before kindergarten?
Next Generation Business Parks
Turning sprawling office parks into compact transit villages may be solve both congestion and energy issues at once.
Is Keeping Wal-Mart Out of a Community 'Class Warfare'?
The controversial use of eminent domain to keep Wal-Mart out of Hercules, CA is criticized as a means of keeping lower-income shoppers away.
L.A. Becoming More Bicycle-Friendly
Projects to make L.A. more bike friendly include expanding bike lanes and paths, and adding 800 bike racks to the more than 2,500 racks already in place across the city.
Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance Ruled Unconstitutional In San Diego
A judge has ruled the City of San Diego's 10 percent inclusionary zoning ordinance unconstitutional. Building industry officials are pleased, although the decision "could bankrupt the affordable housing fund".
Courting Business With Websites And Zoning Overlays
Southern California cities are using technology and other innovative techniques to promote economic development and attract local companies.
Architect Looks Beyond New Urbanism's 'Fake Facade'
"Cruz’s inspiration...came from a critical approach to the trends in new urbanism, which he says 'only address aesthetics, creating a fake facade of difference without considering the lifestyle of the community.' He says the downtown redevelopment of San Diego is an example of this kind of 'suburban planning,' meaning that he feels it is dressed up in high-end urban aesthetics without addressin
Celebrities Fight To Save Urban Farm From Development
When fundraising fails to save farm formerly leased to the Los Angeles Food Bank, Joan Baez sings in a tree and Darryl Hannah plays guitar in a tent.
Hercules Vs. Wal-Mart: An Eminent Domain Battle
Hercules, CA, threatens to use eminent domain to keep out retail giant Wal-Mart.
Will Planners Have The Guts To Extend L. A.'s Subway?
Los Angeles' leaders have an opportunity to show some courage and extend the "current brainless configuration" of the area's subway system.
How (Not) To Be Friendly To Small Businesses
Smaller cities across Southern California, like Santa Clarita, have discovered that being friendly to small businesses yields big rewards, especially when the mammoth City of Los Angeles is too big to care.
Wal-Mart Victim Of Eminent Domain?
The city council of Hercules, CA, votes unanimously to use eminent domain to take Wal-Mart's land and stop it from building a store.
Gas Expensive, So Subsidize Guzzlers?
GM responds to higher gas prices by offering those who purchase SUVs in California and Florida subsidies on their gas expenses.
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
