The California Dream: Transit Oriented Development?

An editorial in the San Jose Mercury News suggests that more and more Californian's are favoring new transit oriented development ideas over the traditional autocentric commnunity.

1 minute read

May 27, 2001, 8:00 AM PDT

By California 2000


"JUST a decade ago it seemed far-fetched -- the idea that large numbers of people might actually want to use mass transit here, or walk to shops, or bike to school or work. Those things happened in places like Palo Alto and Willow Glen, but they were the exception. Why live in California if you can't put the top down and drive everywhere? But nowadays, a top-down drive can burn out your lungs -- and darned if driving everywhere hasn't turned out to mean there's traffic everywhere. As a consequence, the California dream seems to be shifting. There's a growing consensus that we need to build communities differently. We need to build (and rebuild) in areas within cities instead of out in open land, and create neighborhoods that encourage walking, biking and taking mass transit."

Thanks to California 2000 Project

Thursday, May 24, 2001 in San Jose Mercury News

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

7 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City