A New Model Of Development In California?

Planners at the recent California APA chapter conference were asked whether they thought the state is ready for "complex urban development". As John King explains, most said "no".

2 minute read

October 10, 2007, 7:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"A debate occurred last week in San Jose during the annual conference of the California chapter of the American Planning Association. And it truly was a debate; the two teams jabbed within a tight time frame over the topic: 'Resolved, that California is ready for complex urban development.'"

"For those of you who don't read planning journals for fun, 'complex urban development' is a new synonym for 'smart growth.' The premise is that we need to steer new growth into older areas, mix in mass transit and not be afraid to stack a few floors of housing on top of shops and small offices."

"This isn't an arcane topic: California's population is now 36 million, and demographers expect us to hit 59 million by 2032. If we follow the mold of the past 50 years, most of those folks will be housed in single-family homes in suburban tracts, more and more of them tucked behind sound walls or gates."

"Logically, there's a limit to how many culs-de-sac can blanket the landscape. We're also now grappling with the knowledge that pollution and energy consumption are not local issues; your drive to work emits carbon that plays a role in the retreat of ice from the Arctic Circle."

"At the end, I asked the crowd to vote one way or the other. The cons had it - by a landslide. In a logical world shaped by what the mass of people want, we'd have communities with more housing options and a convenient range of transportation alternatives. Many young adults today aren't in a hurry to settle down in a cul-de-sac - and many of their parents would love to sell their home on the cul-de-sac but still live in the suburbs close to their friends."

Tuesday, October 9, 2007 in The San Francisco Chronicle

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