California
Alleged Eco-Terrorist Compensated By FBI
Environmental activist and former San Gabriel Valley resident is paid $100,000 by the FBI after being mistakenly jailed in connection with the vandalizing and setting ablaze of SUVs in 2003.
Quantifying The Cost Of Sprawl
A new book, 'Sprawl Costs', calculates the cost of sprawl. Leading the list is Las Vegas, which has the highest per-capita cost, at $72,697 per person.
Concern About 'Ballot Box Planning' In The Bay Area
A mixed result on election day for extending the urban growth boundaries in four East Bay cities leaves developers with hope while environmentalists are worried about fending off future developer initiatives.
Praise, Skepticism For Treasure Island's 'Grand Vision' Plan
While hailed by many, some question the wisdom of building an urban village on the 400-acre island in SF Bay. But more importantly, the Treasure Island Development Authority praised the plan, as did the City's powerful environmentalists.
Bay Area Commuter Rail Ridership Soars Due To 'Baby Bullets'
Caltrain had been running as a traditional commuter rail service since it began operation as the San Francisco and San Jose Rail Road in 1864. With a recent influx of $128 million to provide 'super-express', or baby bullet service, ridership has soared.
What Kind Of Home Does $500K Get You In LA?
Half a million is now about the median price of a home in Los Angeles. So what can you get for this price? Not much, it turns out.
Op-Ed To Thwart Referendum Of Racetrack Conversion to TOD
The City of San Mateo, CA, unanimously approves the conversion of a functioning, 1930's era, 83-acre racetrack into a mixed-use TOD. Opponents petition to put the proposal on the ballot.
A Black Eye For LEED Certification
San Jose City Hall is a marvel in green building -- so why hasn't it applied to become LEED certified?
Smart Growth In Coachella Valley
The Coachella Valley Association of Governments hosted a smart-growth forum to discuss how to handle the Valley's expanding population.
Slow Growth Forces Defeated by Unlikely Coalition
An editorial showing how diverse coalitions can defeat grassroots activists that seek, through political initiatives, to unreasonably restrict infill growth in "built-out" cities.
Sustainability On Treasure Island
Developers unveiled a new "green" plan for Treasure Island in the middle of San Francisco Bay that includes farmland, residential towers, and wind turbines.
Car Ownership Rates In The Bay Area
Rural landscape and lack of viable public transportation options is blamed for high car ownership rates.
Voters Show Slow-Growth Tendencies
Tuesday was a tough day at the polls for California developers. Slow-growth advocates won two-thirds of the local measures that appeared on special election ballots, as voters rejected a number of high-profile projects.
Escalating Housing Prices Causes Out-migration
California and other urban, high-priced meccas are seeing a huge jump in out-migration, largely due to escalating home prices. Previously unemployment drove the flight, but now the job market is healthy.
In LA, A Parking Space For $20K
The real estate boom has hit even the parking lot in LA. A new high-rise condo project in downtown Los Angeles offers the opportunity to buy a parking space for $20,000.
The First Dedicated Busway In The US
Is Los Angeles' new Metro Orange Line -- a dedicated busway -- a 'revolution' for the city? Running the width of the Valley, LA County Supervisor Zez Yaroslavsky calls the line a true innovation in American transit.
A Brief History Of Downtown Department Stores In Los Angeles
Federated Department plans to consolidate Robinsons-May, leavinh Los Angeles without a major department store headquartered in the city for the first time in more than a century.
Economic Development, MTV-Style
Laguna Beach is the venue for a popular new MTV teen reality show. The community has been catapulted into national prominence, but perhaps not with the image it wants.
Is L.A.'s New Transit System An Accident Magnet?
The busway -- a unique roadway built like a light rail system -- is causing concern among commuters who say the buses are causing more traffic delays, and accidents.
Going To Extremes To Use The Carpool Lane
A commuter resorts to creative, but illegal means to use the carpool lane.
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
