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.
25 August 2009 - 1:00pm
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.
25 August 2009 - 7:00am
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.
24 August 2009 - 11:00am
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.
24 August 2009 - 7:00am
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.
23 August 2009 - 11:00am
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.
22 August 2009 - 1:00pm
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.
21 August 2009 - 5:00am
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.
20 August 2009 - 12:00pm
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.
19 August 2009 - 2:00pm
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.
18 August 2009 - 6:00am
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.
17 August 2009 - 1:00pm
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.
17 August 2009 - 12:00pm
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.
17 August 2009 - 5:00am

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.
16 August 2009 - 9:00am
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.
15 August 2009 - 7:00am
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.
14 August 2009 - 2:00pm
The San Francisco Chronicle
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