The Planning Report

TPR interviews Dwayne Mears of the California-based Planning Center, who offers guidance on how to comply with the school district regulations and to build better, more effective schools.

In most cities, school districts occupy more land than any private developer or other public entity. Yet, the cities in which school districts operate often have no more influence over schools than they do foreign countries.

Wisdom, civic pride, and unparalled experience have helped Joe Riley turn Charleston, SC, into one of America's finest cities.

The massive LA school district and several nonprofits document a planning process resulting in a primary school which will include family housing, childcare facilities, an early education facility and a neighborhood park.

Designer of un-conventional schools talks about improving outcomes for students and neighborhoods.

After 12 years as Planning Director of Los Angeles, Con Howe is stepping down. He offers parting words about planning in Los Angeles.

Ventury, CA city manager Rick Cole says great cities are built from the neighborhood up.

The University of Southern California, the City of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles Collaborate to bring Biotech Research and Economic Development to the Neighborhood of Boyle Heights.

So how does government help build stronger neighborhoods? Start by building community anchors: schools, libraries, parks and police and fire stations.

Increasingly, historic perservationists are using revitalization as a tool to save cities’ treasured buildings in historic cores.

Why wait for rail when community parking can help create pedestrian-oriented areas, writes Mott Smith.

Revitalization is underway in neighborhoods as San Diego emerges from political controversy.

Urbanist Joel Kotkin examines cities across time and cpace in "The City: A Global History." [Link corrected.]

A deal with the city for a new 1200-room hotel is expected to make LA's convention center more competetive.

The Planning Report's Southern California readers offer their advice and predictions for land use priorities in 2005.

Smart growth won't work in a 'dumb growth' landscape, says the city manager for Ventura, California. He offers an alternative model for growth.

A panel of experts discusses Los Angeles' groundbreaking, city-wide historic resources survey.

Rather than just building 'seats', we should create neighborhood-centered joint-use schools.

Prominent civic leaders offer advice to the city's new architecture critic, Christopher Hawthorne.

Anaheim, CA, Mayor Curt Pringle discusses his city's efforts to spur the development of a mixed-use urban village surrounding Angel Stadium.