California

Ridership Predictions Lowered, But Subway Plans Move Ahead

Despite predictions of ridership that are lower than previously thought, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is still pushing ahead with plans to build a subway line in the center of the city.

December 3, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

Nature-Mimicking Infrastructure: 21st Century Technology?

Andy Lipkis, the founder and president of TreePeople, an organization in Los Angeles that brings natural concepts into the "urban forest", details his 40 years of work proving the feasibility of projects such as the Elmer Avenue Project.

December 3, 2010 - The Planning Report

Dark Clouds Over L.A.'s Light Rail

Los Angeles is in the midst of expanding its light rail system. But a new idea to speed up the process has backfired and caused delays and major increases in estimated costs.

December 3, 2010 - LA Weekly

Major Riverfront Development Stymied in L.A.

After 25 years in conception and a recently renewed master planning effort, the 150-acre Piggyback Yards still awaits funding and approval from the city, reports The Architect's Newspaper.

December 2, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

Bus-Only Lane Proposal Meets Opposition in L.A.

Officials in Los Angeles are considering a plan to install a bus-only lane on the region's most used commuter route. But neighbors along a small segment of the road are fighting the proposal.

November 30, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

When California Mountain Lions Become City Dwellers

As urban sprawl continues to encroach on what was once expansive habitat for mountain lions, the large predators have been involved in more encounters with humans in urban settings.

November 29, 2010 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Los Angeles' Transit Rebirth

Los Angeles is engaged in one of the most massive rail building schemes of any American city since NYC extended its subways last century, however, LA's is a mixture of light and heavy rail, and may just be Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa's legacy.

November 26, 2010 - The New York Times - U.S.

GOP Moves to Rescind Stimulus Funding for High-Speed Rail

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Rescission Act was introduced by House Republicans to return $12 billion in unspent American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, aka stimulus funds, targeting the nation's largest public works project, CA HSR.

November 24, 2010 - San Mateo County Times via Mercury News

A Think Tank for an Urban Garden

With new fast food restaurants temporarily banned in South L.A. and few new sources of food coming into the area, one local architecture professor set his students loose to work on ideas for a small urban farm.

November 24, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

Effort to Streamline Development Process Underway in L.A.

Officials in Los Angeles are trying to streamline the process of getting projects permitted and approved -- an effort that could rapidly increase the amount of time it takes to develop in the city.

November 23, 2010 - LA Downtown News

Counting the Costs of California's Prop. 26

In California, passage of Proposition 26 has raised the question of whether fees used for public services will be jeopardized at the local level. Some argue most fees will be unaffected, but others could take a hit.

November 23, 2010 - The Sacramento Bee

San Francisco Finds Way to Fund Central Subway

Things looked grim for the Central Subway project last week, as SF officials were facing an impending deadline to come up with $137 million to match federal funds. This week, Mayor Newsom and MTC seem to have found a way.

November 23, 2010 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Streetcar Fever Spreads Across US

With a growing belief in the streetcars' ability to catalyze redevelopment, cities are jockeying for federal and local funds to build retro transit systems in their downtowns.

November 23, 2010 - California Planning & Development Report

Residents vs. Opera-Singing Waiters

Colloseo, a restaurant in San Francisco's North Beach, wants to feature Luca, their opera-singing waiter, as part of the ambience. The Telegraph Hill Dwellers, an influential neighborhood situation, says no.

November 22, 2010 - The San Francisco Chronicle

High Speed Rail Versus Historic Tree

A historic tree near the campus of Stanford University is the centerpiece of a fight to redirect California's planned high speed rail project.

November 21, 2010 - Peninsula Press

Beauty Queen Tries to Improve City's Image

A beauty pageant contestant from the crime-ridden Compton, California made famous by 1990s gangster rap is hoping to improve her city's reputation.

November 20, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

Making Space for Solar Power in Davis

The California city spent years cultivating an urban forest for shade and cooling benefits, which now presents a unique challenge to tapping the area's solar potential. A new company has a solution.

November 18, 2010 - The New York Times

School's in Session for Urban Planning High School

A new high school has opened in East Los Angeles that focuses specifically on urban planning.

November 18, 2010 - Metropolis

The Evolving Attitude of Environmentalists

Passage of a bill in Berkeley that allows taller buildings to be built in the city's downtown illustrates changing attitudes about development amongst environmentalists.

November 17, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

S.F. Needs Cash Fast for Central Subway

Federal funds come with a price - in order to hold on to $972m awarded to the Central Subway project, San Francisco's MUNI needs to come up with at least $137m by February.

November 16, 2010 - The San Francisco Chronicle

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.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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.