California
San Francisco Mayor Rejects New Downtown Parking Ordiance
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom vetoes the planning department's plan to reduce parking requirements in San Francisco's downtown (C-3) district.
Eliminating L.A.'s 'Box Cities'
The Los Angeles Police Department considers permanently ridding downtown Los Angeles's skid row area of it 'ubiquitous tent and box cities'.
Vast 'Concrete Jungle' Is Also A Vital Wildlife Habitat
Even though Southern California has a reputation for being a concrete jungle, the vast urban region is also home to one of the nation's most diverse bird populations.
Former CA Governors Speak On Urgent Infrastructure Needs
The four living former state governors call on policymakers to draft a bond initiative to pay for the state's critical infrastructure needs, including its trade transportation infrastructure, and levees in Northern California.
Organic Farm Evicted For Wal-Mart?
L.A.'s South Central Farm, hailed as a model for sustainable living, faces destruction in the face of questionable motives.
Bitter Development Conflicts Flare In Los Angeles
Property rights advocates clash with those who seek to preserve open space over some of Los Angeles last undeveloped land.
San Francisco Eyes Stockholm, Congestion Pricing Success
San Francisco's Transportation Authority director views the initial results of Stockholm's congestion pricing as a good omen for his city's plan to implement a similar program.
California's Complex Migratory Patterns
California, leading the nation in job growth and personal income growth, saw a net loss of close to 30,000 residents to other states last year, according to the state's Department of Finance.
What's Beautiful, Green, Affordable, And In Skid Row?
San Francisco Chronicle urban design writer John King comments on the city's newest 'supportive housing' development, the eight-story Plaza Apartments, located in the heart of skid row, to open on March 15.
Six Ways Los Angeles Can Address Homelessness
Politicians, public officials and the public have come to a realization that Los Angeles needs to do something about homelessness. In a lengthy editorial, the Los Angeles Times suggests six attainable goals.
The High Cost Of Santa Barbara's Slow Growth
Santa Barbara, CA's strong growth controls have kept the region spectacular and maintained a high quality of life, but the control has come with steep economic and social costs, according to a feature article in the Los Angeles Times.
British Tesco To Battle Wal-Mart
Tesco, the world's fifth-largest retailer, is coming to California -- and with its 546 Tesco Express stores in the UK taking up as much land as just six Wal-Mart supercenters, it could bring a new model of retail land use with it.
Preserving San Francisco's Japantown
Recent development in one of the U.S.'s three Japantowns could threaten remnants of the neighborhood's historic past.
Leveraging Public Funds For Infrastructure
A report recently released by USC's Keston Institute for Infrastructure describes how the proceeds from state-issued General Obligation bonds for transportation and infrastructure could be leveraged to provide seven to eight times their face amount.
Elder Communes, A Growing Trend
Welcome to the first self-planned housing development for the elderly.
Is Mass Transit Feasible For L.A.?
The city's new Orange Line busway has made little system-wide impact; should the mayor continue to strive for more transit options, or is it time to give up?
California's Levees: Gov. Declares State Of Emergency
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger acts to protect California's crumbling levee system for the Sacramento Delta. Emergency status allows work to progress without waiting for environmental review.
CEQA: Beware the Naked Checklist
Use of a "Naked" or "Barebones" checklist as the basis for an initial CEQA study is not legally defensible, according to land use attorney Kevin Kozal.
Public-Private Deals Can Provide Billions For Infrastructure
Chicago and Indiana have made billions by partnering with private financers on infrastructure assets. Attorneys David Narefsky and John Schmidt explain how California can reap similar benefits.
Mayor Envisions A Tall, Dense, Green Los Angeles
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa imagines a future Los Angeles with transit-oriented development, high-rises, and scores of pocket parks. Critics say the vision is impractical.
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
