Berkeley Unveils Climate Action Plan Based Around TOD

In Nov, 2006, the residents of Berkeley approved a measure requiring the city to reduce GHG emissions by 80% by the year 2050. The draft plan has been released, and unlike an earlier version, this one emphasizes transit oriented development as key.

1 minute read

October 28, 2008, 8:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


"The draft by city climate action planner Timothy Burroughs won the praise of Livable Berkeley, the city's leading "smart growth" advocacy group" and the scorn of the commission's resident policy analyst, an outspoken minority member of a commission dominated by a development-friendly majority. "Its motto is build, baby, build," said the retired academic.

Livable Berkeley had been less kind to the earlier draft, citing its failure "to challenge the status quo, leaving out any real discussion or education on the importance of increasing urban density on major corridors," and neglecting to "unequivocally state that increased density near transit provides the most significant greenhouse gas reduction."

"Commission Chair James Samuels congratulated Burroughs for creating a plan he said "is very well done."

"The goal of increasing density along transit corridors has been around a long time without ever achieving this level of clarity," he said.

Burroughs said density wasn't the plan's goal. "The goal is getting people to move around without a car," he said.

Thanks to Bay Area Transportation News

Thursday, October 23, 2008 in The Berkeley Daily Planet

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 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today