California
Designing The School Of The Future
A new Los Angele charter school is an incubator for new ideas and new approaches to teaching -- and learning -- technology.
Sierra Club, Homebuilders Unite To Beat Ballot Initiatives
While Sierra Club and Greenbelt Alliance battle developers in the East Bay, the scene is the opposite in the South Bay community of Cupertino, home to Apple Computer. Here, they hold hands opposing 3 restrictive land use measures.
Will Gehry's Architecture Overshadow L.A.'s Premier Commercial Project?
Frank Gehry is designing a skyscraper for Related's Grand Avenue project in downtown Los Angeles. Critics are concerned his work will be a modernist monstrosity in the middle of a walkable downtown.
The Ultimate In Ballot-Box Planning
In Livermore, California, a developer spends $3 million to convince voters to pass a bond measure that would enable the developer to build on 1,400 acres of grassland adjacent to the city.
Anaheim Jumps On Wireless Bandwagon
Anaheim, CA, home of Disneyland, follows the lead of Philadelphia, and selects EarthLink, Inc. to build a 50-square-mile municipal WiFi network.
Community Garden Farmers Battle Developer
Developer plans to replace a 14 square mile subsistance farm run by an organization of immigrants with a factory warehouse.
LA Mayor to Seek $1 Billion Housing Bond
Los Angeles' new mayor plans to propose an 'unprecedented investment in housing' for consideration by voters. The measure would likely give planners more more power to increase density in the city.
New Housing In San Francisco In Conflict With Sustainability
As San Francisco's Mission Bay and other eastern areas sees a burst of new housing and other development, housing activists see massive displacement, especially of African-American residents and businesses.
Three Barriers To Density In San Mateo County
The associate director of a non-profit asserts that no-growth policies help increase housing costs.
Orange Line Vs. Red Line: Dedicated Busway Vs. Subway
Will Los Angeles' new Orange Line -- a dedicated busway -- bring the same economic growth to Woodland Hills that the Red Line subway brought to North Hollywood?
Commuters Turn To Rail, Bus As Gas Prices Soar
San Joaquin County is not part of the Bay Area, but is home to a growing pool of Bay Area workers. The new train service and subscription bus service are seeing substantial ridership gains resulting from $3/gallon gas. Within the Bay Area, ridership is
Permitting Tree Houses
Only in Los Angeles... A posh kids' treehouse in Brentwood inspires the ire of his neighbor who calls in LA's building inspector to shut down construction.
The Granny Flat Grows Up
Santa Cruz is encouraging infill by offering blueprints for seven prototype accessory dwelling units.
Study Disputes Claim Of 'Bad Business Climate' In California
Governor Davis was recalled, in part, because of the "bad business climate" in California. Now a study from the reputable Public Policy Institute of California refutes the charge that businesses were leaving the state.
Student Housing With Environmental And Community Consciousness
Davis, CA apartment complex creates a winning combination of style, function, and eco-awareness.
The Seamy Side Of The Billboard Industry
The LA Times investigates the shady side of Regency Outdoor Advertising, a Hollywood-based billboard company. Among the charges are bribery, smear campaigns, building without permits, intimidation and poisoning trees.
Bus Rapid Transit Proposed for San Francisco Avenue
Congested Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco, CA, is actually US Highway 101. Many bus lines use the business-lined avenue, but they are impacted by the congestion along the wide corridor. The proposed BRT project has many of the business-owners wary of prop
Actually, L.A. Is Not A Good Example Of Sprawl
Despite being considered the poster child for sprawl, Los Angeles is not a particularly good example of sprawl, and by several measures is the densest place in the U.S.
Preserving Open Space Vs. Green Building
A developer proposes to extend a voter-approved Urban Growth Boundary in Livermore, CA, using green building, specifically solar power, as an enticement to gain voter support for their initiative. Environmental organizations galvanize to oppose it.
The Iconic And Historic... Ranch House?
The ranch house has come to symbolize residential architecture in American between 1945 and 1970. And the ranch house is hip again.
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
