California
California's Debate Over What Constitutes Renewable Energy
The goal is to increase California's use of clean, renewable sources of electricity so as to meet the state's climate protection goal. Two bills are being debated that will require that 33% of electricity sources be composed of renewables by 2020.
The Sacramento Bee
Preservationists Fighting for Century Plaza Hotel
The Los Angeles Conservancy has been building a coalition to preserve the Century Plaza Hotel after developers announced plans to replace the hotel with new mixed use development.
The Planning Report
Leaving San Francisco
Think "Leaving Las Vegas" starring Nicholas Cage, except the 'actors' here are the real thing - 'chronic inebriates' costing the city about $13 million annually in ambulance costs alone. It's not necessarily a 'homelessness' problem.
San Francisco Chronicle
Regions Cooperating to Make Use of Stimulus Funds
Neal Peirce looks at a few examples where regions have pooled their powers to utilize ARRA stimulus funds to create programs and jumpstart regional efforts.
Citiwire
L.A. Officials Call For Speedier Subway Expansion
Scheduled for completion in 2036, a 12.5 mile extension of Los Angeles' subway is progressing too slowly for some officials. That includes the city's mayor, who is hoping to pick up the pace.
Los Angeles Times
Stimulus is Funding the Status Quo in California
While high speed rail and smart grid technology were used to sell the idea of the economic stimulus package, the majority of stimulus money in California is being spent on routine projects, according to new figures.
Los Angeles Times
Water Cops
Los Angeles' Department of Water and Power's enforcement officers have received mixed reviews, but have found overall success with tighter water-use restrictions implemented this year.
Los Angeles Times
Off the TOD Path
Bill Fulton consults on a boulevard in Los Angeles, and concludes that sometimes the dense, mixed-use approach is too heavy-handed, particularly when transit is lacking.
California Planning & Development Report
Clunkers Program Works Better For Purchasing SUVs & Trucks
While much attention has been lavished on fuel sippers like the Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Insight as the most popular models purchased with CARS.Gov credits, it turns out there is another list showing SUVs and trucks in the top ten.
Sacramento Bee
Solar Bus Shelters Debut
San Francisco has begun installing 1,200 new bus shelters that incorporate a solar array on the roof to power an LED display showing bus arrival times.
The Architect's Newspaper
The Shifting Tide of Public and Private Space
In Malibu, CA, private property extends to the high tide waterline, where public land begins. An unofficial group of "urban rangers" is giving tours and dance performances along that line to explore the absurdity.
The Los Angeles Times
Building Communities With Legos and Plastic Bottles
GOOD Magazine follows planner James Rojas as he engages a community in the act of planning in his own particular fashion, using everyday objects and building blocks.
GOOD Magazine
To Cite or To Site: Competing Ideologies for Addressing Homelessness
To fight homelessness, some cities provide services, some build housing, and some arrest people. Often it's a combination of the three, but now many critics are calling on officials to de-emphasize the law enforcement element. Los Angeles is Ground Zero.
Finding a Home for California's Renewable Energy Transmission Lines
A new report from an interdisciplinary group of officials and advocates outlines where new energy transmission lines are needed in California, where they should be sited, and how best the state can transition to a renewable energy future.
San Francisco Chronicle
Home on the Runway
More than 100 trailers and RVs sit in a parking lot at Los Angeles International Airport, creating an odd community of airline pilots and mechanics.
Los Angeles Times
BART Employees On Strike This Monday
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors voted yesterday to enforce a one-year contract for the unionized transit workers- a contract the workers had rejected earlier in the week. BART employees plan to walk off the job Monday morning.
The San Francisco Chronicle


















