California

Experimental Transportation Projects Get $33 Million in Bay Area

Federal grants worth $33 million have been approved in the San Francisco Bay Area for experimental programs like electric taxis and mobile bike repair services.

October 29, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

A Library for Bikes

The University of California, Los Angeles has begun operations on a new kind of library -- one that rents bikes out to students.

October 28, 2010 - KPCC

The 'Negligible' Building Safety Benefit of Helipads

In the second part of a series looking at codes in L.A. that require tall buildings to have flat roofs for helicopter landing, Curbed LA discusses a new building that has been exempted from the code and whether more are likely to follow.

October 27, 2010 - Curbed LA

The Fire Department Code That Flat-Tops L.A.'s Skyline

All buildings in Los Angeles taller than 75 feet are required to have a flat surface on the roof where helicopters can land, according to a fire department-mandated code. Now leaders are thinking about updating that code -- and the city's skyline.

October 26, 2010 - Curbed LA

Living Alley Establishes Permanent Roots in San Francisco Neighborhood

Street furniture and plantings transform a small strip of roadway within a bustling San Francisco neighborhood, much to the delight of the planners and designers who fought for the change for over five years.

October 26, 2010 - The San Francisco Chronicle

LA Weighs New Design Guidelines

Some critics say the proposed voluntary measures don’t have teeth, while others worry they lay the groundwork for overdevelopment.

October 26, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

CA & FL To Win $900 Million & $800 Million For HSR

Awards for high speed rail projects will be announced Oct. 26. CA will receive $902 million for 18 projects from SF to San Diego, the largest in the Central Valley. Florida will get $800 million for the Orlando to Tampa line

October 26, 2010 - Los Angeles Times - L.A. NOW

The Conflicted Culture of Los Angeles

Christopher Hawthorne reflects on the simultaneous rise of bicycle culture and anti-transit NIMBYs. Can Angelenos come together to move forward when it comes to transportation and the built environment?

October 25, 2010 - The Los Angeles Times

Motorists To Pay Ozone 'Penalty' in Central Valley

In a unanimous vote on Oct. 21, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District approved another 'first' air quality measure not done elsewhere: They supported charging Valley motorists for paying the $29 million ozone penalty set by the E.P.A.

October 24, 2010 - The Fresno Bee

FRIDAY FUNNY: NIMBY Robot Prepares to Save Berkeley

A Berkeleyan warms up his NIMBY robot to face the planning commission, in this xtranormal animation from Joshua Abrams of www.planningcollaborative.com. The robot is programmed for Berkeley, but he could be easily reprogrammed for other cities.

October 22, 2010 - YouTube

B.C. and Washington Seek High Speed Rail to California

Officials in the Pacific Northwest are calling for a high speed rail line that connects British Columbia with California.

October 21, 2010 - CBC

Motorists May Be Asked To Pay Ozone Penalty

San Joaquin Valley's bad air will cause their air district a $29 million fine for exceeding federal ozone limits - and they plan to ask motorists to pay the bill, if the board supports the new registration fee.

October 20, 2010 - The New York Times - Environment

Why Kids Can't and Won't Walk to School in Laguna Beach

Getting kids to walk to school has been a nationwide campaign for years. But some places say it's just not safe. Some urban forms -- like that of Laguna Beach, California -- prove it.

October 20, 2010 - NRDC Switchboard

Private Development Bringing Quality Public Space

The relocation of a museum in San Francisco offers a model for how private developments can create quality public space, writes John King.

October 20, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

High Speed Rail Is Not Primarily About Economics

Chikodi Chima responds to an article entitled "Economists Say High-Speed Rail Won't Make A Dime" with "California High Speed Rail Doesn’t Need to Make a Dime to Make a Difference" - both are about the recent Stanford study.

October 19, 2010 - AltTransport

New Ruling Means Greater Access to California Coast

A ruling this week by the California Coastal Commission will allow a dozen new picnic areas and up to five new trailheads, in addition to camping areas for 280 people and new access to the Coastal Slope Trail. The camping will be the first in Malibu.

October 15, 2010 - The Planning Report

Are Large Discount Grocers the Answer to Food Deserts?

With suburban markets saturated, discount food chains are moving into urban food deserts. While this may be convenient for residents, some are concerned that such stores will do little for local economies.

October 15, 2010 - Huffington Post

Great Design Costs Money (And Is Worth It)

A new pedestrian bridge, recently opened near a BART station in the San Francisco Bay Area, is an example of why the high price of good design can sometimes be worth it.

October 12, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

Policing 'Gutter Punks' in San Francisco

Heather Mac Donald defends a contentious law, spurred by frustration over migratory youths in Haight-Ashbury, that would ban sitting or lying on city sidewalks between 7 AM and 11 PM.

October 12, 2010 - City Journal

What Good is Public Art?

San Diego's mayor has announced he's recommending the city pull the plug on art funding for the time being, triggering a debate over the role of public art in society.

October 11, 2010 - Voice of San Diego

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.