Will Planning Become Central Issue In California Governor Race?

Voters in the Central Valley and other parts of California are fed up with traffic and air pollution. Can Angelides tap into that frustration in his race for governor?

1 minute read

June 13, 2006, 11:00 AM PDT

By David Gest


Analysis of whether Phil Angelides, developer of Laguna West and Democratic nominee for governor, will tout his planning expertise in running against Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"...I'm hoping that Angelides, the lifelong politician, won't abandon his lifelong passion -- urging cities and counties to rethink how they are planning their communities.

Angelides, to be sure, is an imperfect crusader for this cause. He has a tendency to be long-winded and didactic. Moreover, his prized Laguna West didn't turn out to be a model of 'smart growth' -- the unfortunate term that is used to promote communities that are compact and supportive of transit.

Even so, Angelides has a unique opportunity to make planning -- yes, planning -- an issue against the happy-go-lucky Schwarzenegger. Over the next 40 years, California will add about 20 million people. Where will they live? How will they travel? Will many of them find homes in transit-friendly villages, as Angelides hopes? Or will they live in sprawling suburbs, built in deepest of deep floodplains in the Central Valley?"

Thanks to Stuart Leavenworth

Sunday, June 11, 2006 in The Sacramento Bee

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business