With the state of California in the grips of its most destructive year of wildfires ever, policy makers are pondering questions about whether it is appropriate to rebuild in places at high risk of burning again.

"With the frequency and cost of catastrophic wildfires climbing in California, the idea of compensating property owners to not rebuild — or using economic pressure to discourage them from building in the first place — is gaining supporters among those searching for ways to cut wildfire losses," according to an article by Doug Smith.
While some policy makers and academics have proposed measures that would control the scale to which the state rebuilds in areas that have already burned, or builds new in places likely to build in the future, there are many policies in place in California that expedite rebuilding. Many in favor of rebuilding point out that new houses built to replace houses that burnt down in the fire would be built to much higher standards of fire resistance. Meanwhile, those who say the state shouldn't continue to build in fire danger areas, say a "three-strikes" rule or public land acquisition programs should be implemented around the state.
There's also the ongoing question of how to predict future fires, which was explained by an earlier Planetizen post by Katharine Jose. Along those lines, Jones reports that Cal Fire plans to revise its fire prediction maps, "[i]n light of experience showing that wind-blown embers can carry fire into suburban areas."
FULL STORY: After California's most destructive fire season, a debate over where to rebuild homes

Rethinking Redlining
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Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

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Last year, the city permitted just 30 percent of the number of housing units needed to meet a growing need.

Connecting Communities to Nature Close to Home
Los Angeles County’s Nature in Your Neighborhood program brings free, family-friendly wellness and nature activities to local parks, making it easier for residents to enjoy and connect with the outdoors.

Palmdale’s Beloved Water Park Gets $2 Million Upgrade
To mark its 20th anniversary, DryTown Water Park has undergone major renovations, ensuring that families across the Antelope Valley continue to enjoy safe, affordable, and much-needed water-based recreation in the high desert.
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