Back from a recent field trip to L.A., Sarah Karlinsky, Deputy Director of SPUR, the San Francisco Planning + Urban Research Association, explores the benefits and challenges offered by the region's size, and what lessons it can provide the Bay Area.
At nearly 10 times the physical size of the City of San Francisco, the City of Los Angeles dwarfs its northern neighbor. Though united by structures of state governance and cultural similarities, the differences in scale of the dueling anchors of the Golden State and their surrounding regions make possible an entirely different set of approaches, and challenges, to urban planning.
In comparison with San Francisco, Karlinsky explores some of the benefits that L.A.'s size provides, such as room for urban experimentation, a diversity of economic districts, and incredibly diverse housing stock.
On the down side, she believes L.A.'s size inhibits the ability to "have a civic dialogue about what L.A. ought to be," and to marshal its large city government, and its many departments, to get things done.
Excited by the range of projects rethinking how to make L.A. more livable, Karlisky concludes, "Being big allows Los Angeles to think big. The scale of that ambition is
truly inspiring - and it gives us in the Bay Area a lot to think about."
FULL STORY: The Benefits of Big

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie