California

Metro Crenshaw/LAX Line

'Destination Crenshaw' Showcases South L.A.'s Strategic Advantage—Black Culture

Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson outlines Destination Crenshaw and highlights the economic development and community investment opportunities it brings to South L.A.

October 9, 2019 - The Planning Report

California from Space

Massive Power Outages in Northern California as PG&E Avoids Wildfire Risk

Planetizen has collected local and national news on a massive, ongoing environmental and infrastructure story in Northern California. There are maps to keep track of the scope of planned power outages.

October 9, 2019 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Pennsylvania State Capitol

Will Pennsylvania Become the 11th State in the Northeast to Price Carbon Emissions?

Pennsylvania is the nation’s #2 natural gas producer, #3 in coal, and #4 in carbon emissions. Gov. Tom Wolf issued an executive order on Oct. 3 to initiate the process to join the regional cap-and-trade program, but will the legislature allow it?

October 8, 2019 - The Patriot-News

Caltrans Freeway Planning

Freeway Project, Previously Named as a 'Boondoggle,' Defeated by Environmental Lawsuit

What could have been the first new freeway for Los Angeles County in decades might now only mark the end of an era.

October 8, 2019 - Streetsblog LA

San Francisco Skyline

S.F. Plan Amendment to Allow Bay Filling

A revision to the region’s plan for the bay will allow areas to be filled in to create habitats that mitigate the effects of climate change.

October 8, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Los Angeles Subway

L.A. Metro Report Examines How Women Travel

Findings from a new study about the mobility needs and concerns of women in Los Angeles will inform future initiatives and planning.

October 7, 2019 - Streetsblog LA

Tiny House

The Downsides of Tiny House Living

Advocates argue the array of small dwelling options provide much-needed affordable housing. But, living in these units, many of which are extremely small, isn't the alternative many people would choose.

October 7, 2019 - Fast Company

Arrivals and Departures

Congestion Tipping Point: Uber and Lyft Banned from LAX

Automobile traffic to LAX has increased by half in the last decade, and congestion has passed a tipping point.

October 7, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Wheelchair

For Wheelchair Users, L.A. Poses Many Hazards

A trip through the city of Los Angeles reveals the largely overlooked challenges that people with physical disabilities must overcome.

October 5, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

New York Development

Is National Rent Control the Right Answer?

Proposed legislation from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a move toward more progressive housing policy. But critics say the one-size-fits-all approach is not the best solution for addressing the national housing crisis.

October 4, 2019 - CityLab

BART Station construction

BART Extension Into San Jose Delayed

Both phases of the extension of BART beyond the Warm Spring Station Fremont, into Santa Clara County and San Jose, have been delayed. The first extension, to the Milpitas and Berryessa stations, was expected to be complete by the end of 2019.

October 4, 2019 - The Mercury News

Muni Bus Market Street

Trump Administration Suddenly Holding California to Higher Environmental Standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to force the state of California to spend highway money on public transit, because of the environment.

October 3, 2019 - Eno Center for Transportation

Interstate 95/395 reversible HOV lanes

Solo-Occupant Hybrid Vehicles Lose Access to Carpool Lanes

A change in federal law on Monday meant that over 16,000 Virginia motorists must double or triple-up when using carpool lanes in Virginia. Next month, electric vehicles will need three occupants to drive free on I-395 when HOV lanes become HOT.

October 2, 2019 - The Washington Post

Bay Area Rapid Transit

A $100 Billion Wishlist for Bay Area Transit

Project priorities for the Faster Bay Area ballot initiative, speculatively proposed for the November 2020 election, have not yet been specified. But BART's new general manager has ideas about the money could be spent.

October 2, 2019 - The Mercury News

Port of Oakland

Two New California Laws Take Aim at Pollution from Heavy-Duty Trucks

Trucks, which disproportionately contribute toward air pollution, will soon be subject to similar types of smog checks that apply to light-duty vehicles. A second bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom will spur movement toward cleaner alternatives.

October 1, 2019 - The Mercury News

Homelessness

Boulders Meant to Deter Homeless Cause a Ruckus in San Francisco

Desperate times. Desperate measures.

October 1, 2019 - The San Francisco Examiner

Los Angeles Street

L.A.'s Strategy for 'Safe, Mobile, and Sustainable' Streets

Streets LA General Manager Adel Hagekhalil lays out his priorities and plans for transforming Los Angeles into a system of world-class streets.

October 1, 2019 - The Planning Report

Virgin Trains USA

Doubts Raised About the Private Equity Firm Behind High-Speed Rail to Vegas

Trouble in the Desert? The sources quoted in this article by Bloomberg aren't betting on the success of a high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and San Bernardino County in California.

September 30, 2019 - Bloomberg

Los Angeles River Bike Path

L.A. River Restoration Challenged by Gentrification, Environmental Concerns

A massive effort to restore the Los Angeles River to more public access and open space amentias continues to raise the specter of gentrification in neighborhoods already feeling the pressure of the housing market.

September 30, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Single Family Residential Construction

Not Enough Housing, Or Too Much of the Wrong Kind

Permits for new housing continue to lag despite a long economic boom. For coastal metros, it's a familiar story of job growth outpacing new construction. In some Sun Belt cities, sprawl is the bigger concern.

September 27, 2019 - CityLab

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.