California

Southern California's Dirty Harbor Secret

Even Southern California's wealthy communities are feeling the effects of years of unchecked urban runoff and silt.

July 22, 2003 - The Los Angeles Times

Lennar Corp. Buys Newhall Land Company

In a stunning move, Newhall Land Company, one of California's largest land owners, agrees to be acquired by Miami-based Lennar Corp., the nation's third-largest homebuilder.

July 22, 2003 - The Los Angeles Times

Smart Growth Is Dead In Lodi

Columnist Joe Guzzardi examines the development and growth in Lodi, CA, and concludes that it's not smart.

July 21, 2003 - Lodi News-Sentinel

The Mansionization Of California

The practice of creating 'mansion' homes on small footprints adjacent to traditional smaller homes is causing an "architectural identity crisis."

July 21, 2003 - The Los Angeles Times

Will L.A. Walk To Work?

A renovated subway terminal asks this question to pedestrian-challenged downtown Los Angeles.

July 18, 2003 - The Slatin Report

UrbanPlan Reaches High School Students

High school students create proposals for a hypothetical city.

July 18, 2003 - The Los Angeles Times

Dreaming Of Urban Villages

Residents of Los Angeles' sprawling San Fernando valley say they'd be willing to reside in or near urban villages.

July 17, 2003 - The Los Angeles Times

A Trail From Oregon To Baja

A continuous coastal hiking trail traversing the entire length of California is 60% complete.

July 17, 2003 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Inclusionary Zoning Encourages Affordable Housing

Policies that require developers to include low-income units as part of development projects results in more affordable housing.

July 16, 2003 - The Los Angeles Times

Downtown Living Costs More But Is Worth It

Older neighborhoods near downtown Sacramento command a premium for their eclectic architecture and proximity to jobs and cultural attractions.

July 16, 2003 - The Sacramento Bee

Religious Groups: Exempt From Zoning

Is RLUIPA, which bars government from enforcing zoning codes on religious organizations, being opened to widespread abuse?

July 16, 2003 - Wall St. Journal

Return Of The Smog

The worst pollution in five years has hit Los Angeles, causing the issue of its first Stage One smog alert since 1998. Experts blame SUVs and growth.

July 16, 2003 - The Los Angeles Times

A New Breed Of Bus

A new rapid bus service in Northern California will cut travel time by 20% by making lots of incremental enhancements along the route.

July 16, 2003 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Sacramento's Success: Creating A Vibrant Downtown

Downtown Sacramento, CA, has developed a healthy night life through coordination between developers, the City, and the Downtown Sacramento Partnership.

July 15, 2003 - The Sacramento Bee

Reviving The Los Angeles River

The 58-mile, often dry, concrete-lined Los Angeles River is a far cry from New York's East River. But that is changing, albeit slowly.

July 15, 2003 - The Los Angeles Times

Five Concepts To Modernize L.A.'s Airport

A just-released environmental report compares four alternatives for updating LAX -- the world's fifth-busiest airport.

July 14, 2003 - The Los Angeles Times

Big-box Imitating Art

The use of public art fees to mitigate the look of big-box buildings is one solution being used in North Hollywood, CA.

July 14, 2003 - The Los Angeles Times

Preserving Farmland While Accomodating Growth

Rural Yolo County, CA has found a balance between urban growth and farmland preservation.

July 14, 2003 - Planetizen

Rebirth Of Downtown Los Angeles

A critial mass or residents is achieving what past revitalization efforts haven't: a 24x7 downtown in Los Angeles

July 12, 2003 - The Los Angeles Times

Coastal Dilemma

The California Coastal Commission is caught between environmental activists and a persistent landowner on issuing a permit in an environmentally-sensitive area.

July 12, 2003 - The Los Angeles Times

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.