California

An oil well is pictured with buildings in the city of Los Angeles in the background.

In Historic Move, L.A. County to Phase Out Oil Wells

The long history of oil extraction in the nation's most populous county is entering its final chapter.

September 17, 2021 - Gizmodo

San Francisco Apartments

California Won't Extend Eviction Moratorium

State lawmakers did not extend the state's eviction ban, which ends on September 30, putting the future of hundreds of thousands of households in jeopardy.

September 16, 2021 - CALmatters

Food Pantry

More Support Needed for Organizations Serving the Underserved

A new report details how policymakers and community leaders can improve California's efforts to advance an equitable recovery from COVID by supporting and empowering community-based organizations in underserved communities.

September 14, 2021 - ChangeLabSolutions

San Diego Trolley

San Diego Continues to Widen Roads Despite Pledge to Reduce Car Dependence

Transit advocates say that outdated road widening plans contradict the city's Climate Action Plan.

September 14, 2021 - KPBS

Banc of California Stadium

Sports Stadiums as a Battleground for Affordable Housing

Thanks to new enforcement powers, California's Department of Housing and Community Development can now cite cities for failing to meet affordable housing requirements in stadium redevelopment projects.

September 13, 2021 - CALmatters

Rendering of 8850 Sunset Blvd

Splashy New Project Proposed for Iconic Sunset Strip Location

The development on West Hollywood's Sunset Strip would incorporate a new version of the iconic Viper Room music venue, along with a hotel, condos, and retail.

September 13, 2021 - Urbanize Los Angeles

Coachella Valley

A Stark Picture of the Climate Gap in the Coachella Valley

In the low desert of Southern California, dwindling water supplies and a lack of infrastructure funding pose major challenges for working-class communities struggling to survive.

September 12, 2021 - ProPublica

High-Speed Rail

Democratic Legislators Obstruct Funding for California High Speed Rail

Voters approved a $9.9 billion bond for the California High Speed Rail project in 2008. State legislators would like that money to be spent in other ways in 2021.

September 10, 2021 - Sacramento Bee

Muni Public Transit

San Francisco Not Living Up to 'Transit First' Promise

Despite a stated goal of encouraging other modes, the city's streets still overwhelmingly prioritize cars.

September 8, 2021 - Streetsblog San Francisco

California State Capital

Will SB 9 and SB 10 Make Any Difference?

In dramatic fashion, the movement to undo single-unit zoning is going statewide in California with the passage of SB 9 in California. It's an emotional, moral victory for housing advocates—and a ton of work for the state's planners.

September 6, 2021 - California Planning & Development Report

Disabled Parking

San José Could Eliminate Parking Minimums

The city of San José has the highest minimum parking requirements in the state. Now, it is weighing a proposal that would do away with them altogether and let developers decide how much parking to build.

September 1, 2021 - The Mercury News

Students passing through the historic Sather Gate on the University of California, Berkeley campus.

Judge Caps Enrollment at UC Berkeley Pending Environmental Impact Report

An Alameda County judge dealt a stunning rebuke of a plan to expand the campus of the University of California, Berkeley, with housing and new space for the Goodman School of Public Policy.

August 30, 2021 - Berkeleyside

California

California Assembly Advances Statewide Upzoning Bill

California's Senate Bill 9 would allow up to four housing units on lots traditionally zoned for single-family homes, paving the way for more 'gentle density.'

August 27, 2021 - The New York Times

Water Treatment

San Diego Launches Massive Sewage Treatment Project

The ambitious Pure Water project is designed to reduce the city's dependence on imported water and limit the amount of sewage dumped into the ocean.

August 27, 2021 - San Diego Union-Tribune

An image of a sign asking people to wear masks during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Louisiana's Health Care System on Brink of Collapse

We've been here many times before in the pandemic, but without the benefit of a vaccine. Gov. John Bel Edwards, one of a few governors to mandate mask-wearing indoors, warns of a collapse of the health care system, but also rules out restrictions.

August 26, 2021 - The Advocate (Louisiana)

Fuel Break Wildfire

A New Approach to Wildfire Resilience: Property Buy Backs, Fire Resistant Parks

The city of Paradise is employing a natural hazard mitigation strategy long practiced in flood zones. The idea could be expanded in other places where wildland meets human development.

August 25, 2021 - NPR

Uber Car

California Judge Renders Gig Worker Law Unenforceable

A judge ruled against California's Proposition 22, which let ride-hailing and delivery businesses classify workers as independent contractors and discouraged unionization efforts.

August 24, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

A view of the Oakland, California skyline in Downtown.

Comprehensive Planning Sucks. Here's One Attempt to Make It Better

Thirty community organizations have come together to deliver a response to Oakland's RFP for a comprehensive planning consultant. It's one of three proposals, but certainly the only one with cartoons.

August 24, 2021 - Next City

Aerial view of the Great Highway, San Francisco

Battle Over San Francisco's Pedestrianized 'Great Highway'

Although the project has been hugely successful with local residents, the mayor and some county supervisors wanted to revert the road to vehicle use.

August 24, 2021 - San Francisco Chronicle

Los Angeles Smog Skyline Zoom

A 'Tiny Home Village' Grows in Los Angeles

The complex can house over 200 people and will provide bathrooms and social services for people transitioning out of homelessness.

August 23, 2021 - The Eastsider LA

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.