California

San Francisco Construction

San Francisco Home Construction Expected to Slump This Year

Due to various market and industry factors, developers are not planning to start many new construction projects in 2019.

January 8, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

San Francisco Skyline

San Francisco-ization, a City's Biggest Nightmare

Cities spend a lot of time and energy pointing to examples of what they don’t want to become.

January 2, 2019 - The New York Times

California Wildfire

Wildfires Threaten Over a Million California Structures in High-Risk Areas

With limited action at the state level, communities in vulnerable areas have launched their own local preparedness programs and plans.

December 31, 2018 - The Los Angeles Times

San Francisco Muni Buses

In Cities, Transit Isn’t Just for Commuting

A closer look at commuting and ridership shows the differences between urban and suburban transit patterns.

December 28, 2018 - Pedestrian Observations

Indoor Grow Room

California Pot Farms Stink (Literally), Say Neighbors

Officials overseeing cannabis implementation are having to deal with residents’ complaints that the smell from marijuana operations is overwhelming.

December 26, 2018 - The New York Times

Malibu Zuma Beach

YourCoast App Will Make California's Public Beaches More Accessible

The app, developed by tech mogul Sean Parker (of Napster and Facebook fame), brings technology and environmental regulation together to give people the information they need to get to public beaches.

December 20, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta

California Delta Project Facing Approval Challenges

The plan to update the state’s water system has hit a major snag.

December 18, 2018 - San Francisco Chronicle

San Francisco Apartments

Recent Parking Reform: Start of a Wave of Change?

The range of cities that have recently removed parking mandates could help motivate others that are eyeing new parking policies.

December 14, 2018 - Sightline Institute

Tejon Ranch

Wildfire Risks Make Southern California Development a Gamble

The Tejon Ranch development would bring thousands of homes to a highly fire-prone area in L.A. County.

December 10, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Monterey Park California

Roads or Transit: How Will 710 Extension Project Funds Be Used?

The available funding could shift transportation priorities in Southern California’s San Gabriel Valley. But transportation leaders appear to be leaning toward more of the same.

December 7, 2018 - Streetsblog LA

Los Angeles Road

Speed Limit Increases Needed to Improve Enforcement, Says L.A. City Proposal

In a strange confluence of factors, expired speed limits and a state statute have hampered speed enforcement. Unfortunately, the proposed solution also looks a like a problem.

December 5, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Bus Stop Sign

L.A. Bus Stops Improved by D.I.Y. Additions

A bench is a basic bus stop amenity, but many stops on Los Angeles’ Eastside lack them. One resident took on the task of putting in benches himself.

November 30, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Interstate Highway

Cities Rally Around New Plans for Southern California’s Interstate 710

After more than 60 years, a slew of new road projects will leave the debate about the Interstate 710 gap in the past.

November 27, 2018 - Pasadena Star-News

San Francisco Transbay Transit Center

SF Transbay Transit Center Cracks Isolated to Beams, Say Experts

As the investigation continues, cracks found in girders supporting the building do not appear to be due to a design issue.

November 26, 2018 - San Francisco Chronicle

California Central Valley

Acquisitions Disputes for California High-Speed Rail Project Drag On

Delays in acquiring properties are costing the project significant amounts of time and money.

November 26, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles

CDBG Funds Not Useful Focus for Zoning Reform

Linking zoning reform mandates to CDBG funding is not an effective way to change exclusionary zoning.

November 8, 2018 - Brookings

Rural California Road

Rural Communities Connected Through Grassroots Mobility Services

California residents throughout the Central Valley struggle with inadequate transportation. Shuttle and ride-share programs are filling in the gaps.

November 8, 2018 - The Fresno Bee

Boise Idaho

Californians Are Leaving the State for More Affordable, Greener Pastures

Skyrocketing housing costs in California are pushing people out to other parts of the country.

October 29, 2018 - Bloomberg BusinessWeek

MUNI San Francisco

San Francisco's T Line Never Delivered on Promises

The light rail line was supposed to improve transit to less accessible parts of the city, but service so far has been disappointing.

October 22, 2018 - San Francisco Chronicle

FlyawayHomes shipping container apartments

To Reach Goals, L.A. Looks to New Ways to Build Homeless Housing

Los Angeles is grappling with the rising costs of building housing for homeless people. Rethinking the standard process is a way to save time and money.

October 11, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

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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.