Even as prospects for high-speed trains dim in California, San Francisco's Transbay Transit Center has already spurred a development spree in the surrounding area.
High-speed rail may not have much of a future in the Golden State, and San Francisco's Transbay Transit Center may be down for the count due to structural flaws. But as John King writes, those projects have already set in motion a skyline-altering uptick in development that's set to continue as long as the economy allows.
"In terms of the blocks around [the transit center], the genie is out of the bottle," King writes. "The obvious symbol of all this is the tapered girth of Salesforce Tower, which at 1,070 feet easily tops the 853-foot Transamerica Pyramid as the city's tallest high-rise. On the next block is 181 Fremont St., an 803-foot tower where all 432,000 square feet of office space was leased to Facebook."
King discusses some of the planning decisions that paved the way for the area's transformation, including a land transfer from the state to the city and a "dramatic" upzoning that united progressives and moderates. "By raising heights at the beginning of an economic boom that has blurred the boundaries between Silicon Valley and San Francisco, the city set the stage for Transbay to respond to a pent-up demand that hadn't been obvious."
FULL STORY: High-speed rail or not, San Francisco’s Transbay District has arrived
San Francisco's Transbay Transit Center Open, When Will Trains Arrive?
To great fanfare, the Salesforce Transit Center opened on Saturday to thousands of visitors anxious to see the huge facility. Sunday was quieter, with the first AC Transit buses arriving on the third-floor bus deck. Train arrivals: TBD.
Does Zoning Create a Vicious Circle—Or Can It Fix Itself?
Ideally, planners could balance homeowners' interests in zoning against the public good, liberalizing zoning when prices got too high. But this may be politically impossible.
Report: Rebranding Needed for Next Phase of the Transbay Transit Center
A team of experts suggests that a rebranding and potentially a new entity to oversee construction will be necessary to finish phase two fo the Transbay transit center.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
‘Quality Work, Fast’: NC Gears up for Homebuilding After Helene, Trying to Avoid Past Pitfalls
The state will field bids to demolish, repair and rebuild homes in the mountains. After struggles in eastern NC, officials aim to chart a different course.
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions