California

San Francisco, California

6 Principles to Manage Wildfire Risk With Effective Housing Policy

The connection between housing policy and climate change is made clear by the increasing damage of wildfires in California.

April 18, 2021 - SPUR

Underground Parking

California's Proposed Parking Reform Bill Analyzed

A Terner Center for Housing Innovation at U.C. Berkeley analysis predicts that statewide parking reform, as proposed in Assembly Bill 1401, would have a significant impact on the cost of developing residential and commercial buildings in California.

April 16, 2021 - Terner Center for Housing Innovation

San Francisco Rail Transit

One Rail System to Ring the Bay Area? Supporters See Reasons for Optimism

A plan to integrate the various regional transit providers in the San Francisco Bay Area could be the key to winning back transit riders in the post-pandemic world.

April 15, 2021 - The Mercury News

This Real Estate Co-Op is Looking for Investors Who Want to Put Community First

A real estate co-op in Oakland is making waves with its first commercial acquisition.

April 14, 2021 - Next City

Fresno Portal

The Nation's Fastest-Rising Rents Are in California's Central Valley

Fresno's skyrocketing housing costs and inadequate supply are putting strain on the city's low-income households.

April 13, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

California Wildfire

$536 Million for Wildfire Prevention Proposed in California

After a series of horrible fire seasons and another lackluster rainy season, the state of California is in need of new approaches to wildfire suppression and prevention.

April 13, 2021 - The Mercury News

Apartments St. Louis

Small Landlords Feel the Effects of Lost Rental Income

While eviction moratoriums helped keep many tenants in their homes during the pandemic, the nation's renters have amassed a collective debt of over $52 billion, and many mom-and-pop landlords are struggling to hold on.

April 12, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Tejon Ranch

Massive Tejon Ranch Development Paused; Judge Cites Wildfire, Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In the works since 1999, the Centennial Project by Tejon Ranch Co. seemed to have cleared its final hurdle in 2018, but a Los Angeles County court ruling has created another hurdle for the sprawling development.

April 11, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Back Yard

With Regulations Loosened, Granny Flat Construction Soars in California

Less restrictive permit laws and pre-fabricated, pre-approved building options are spurring more homeowners to build backyard additions.

April 9, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

COVID-19 Restrictions

How COVID-19 Impacted Mobility in California

Analysis of cell phone location tracking data shows changes in how Californians have moved around since the pandemic.

April 7, 2021 - U.S. News & World Report

L.A. Mall Purchase Would Be the Biggest Victory Yet for Community-Driven Development

The Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Plaza mall is 41 acres of prime commercial real estate in the nation’s second largest city. When the mall came up for sale last year, a group of residents decided to shoot for the moon and started organizing to buy it.

April 7, 2021 - Next City

Traffic

Minnesota and California Take Steps to Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled

The two states both approved measures that will set VMT reduction goals and create enforcement mechanisms to promote more climate-friendly policies.

April 6, 2021 - State Smart Transportation Initiative (SSTI)

Proposed North Hollywood-Pasadena BRT Line

Controversial BRT Plans Revised in Los Angeles

The proposed changes to plans for a bus rapid transit route on Colorado Boulevard are an attempt to compromise between competing community concerns.

April 6, 2021 - Urbanize Los Angeles

California State Water project

The Benefits of Covering Canals With Solar Panels

Research claims that installing solar panels over California's extensive canals could greatly expand the state's renewable energy production and reduce evaporation.

April 5, 2021 - High Country News

CBS Television City, Los Angeles, Caliifornia.

L.A.'s Historic CBS Campus Will Undergo Billion-Dollar Expansion

The Television City revamp will more than double the currently available space and include a multi-modal mobility hub, pedestrian improvements, and a "robust" transportation demand management program.

April 5, 2021 - The Architect's Newspaper

Los Angeles Sunset

Hiking For All: Making the Great Outdoors More Welcoming

Not everyone feels comfortable going for a hike. Various groups are working to break down barriers so that more people can experience the joys and benefits of being in nature.

April 1, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Campanile

One Berkeley Resident's Fight to Desegregate the City

Dorothy Walker has spent decades working to eliminate housing discrimination. In February, the city council finally agreed.

April 1, 2021 - Grist

Little Tokyo Los Angeles

Los Angeles Passes New Rent Relief Package

The city will offer a new round of rental assistance to eligible families who owe back rent.

March 29, 2021 - KTLA

Desert Road

3D-Printed Neighborhood Coming to the California Desert

The developer of the 15-home community claims they will produce homes with a tenth of the waste of traditional construction in record time.

March 29, 2021 - The Guardian

Los Angeles County

Understanding Regional and Rural Park and Recreation Needs

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is doing a study to inventory and analyze the need for facilities like beaches, natural areas, open space, regional parks, trails, and local parks in rural areas.

March 28, 2021 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

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.