Walkable, transit-accessible neighborhoods do more than just lower greenhouse gas emissions of their residents - they save them money too, states a new report, "Windfall for All", from the Bay Area's TransForm, a coalition of over 100 non-profits.
The new report seems tied to California's landmark anti-sprawl law, SB 375, that aims to reduce vehicle-miles-traveled in metropolitan areas in order to meet greenhouse reduction goals.
"The study, "Windfall For All: How Connected, Convenient Neighborhoods Can Protect Our Climate And Safeguard California's Economy," found that people in Sacramento, the Bay Area, Los Angeles and San Diego who live near public transportation on average emit fewer carbon emissions and spend billions less on transportation compared to people who live in areas where public transit is scarce."
From Sacramento Bee:
"The study... was conducted by Oakland-based TransForm, formerly the Transportation and Land Use Coalition. TransForm is a coalition that includes nonprofits, environmental advocates and labor unions.
If all residents in the four areas lived in transportation-friendly communities, the study said, they would save $31 billion per year on transportation costs and emit 34 percent less greenhouse gas.
They said the study also underscores the goals of Senate Bill 375, signed into law last year. The bill, by Sacramento Democrat Sen. Darrell Steinberg, is designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions through anti-sprawl measures, including rewarding new residential development with easy access to public transit."
Thanks to Steve Levy
Read the full story: Study: 'Walkable neighborhoods' could save state $31M
City of Los Angeles Tops 4 Million in Latest State Population Report
As usual, California's fastest growing counties were inland, far from coastal job centers. The big surprise was that the fastest growing city was an affluent Silicon Valley suburb that had been sued in 2012 by affordable housing advocates.
Feds Withholding $2 Billion in Funding for CA Transit
The U.S Department of Labor is holding up the distribution of billions of dollars in transit funding destined for San Diego, Sacramento, Los Angeles and other California cities due to a new state pension law's impact on transit workers.
CA officials have the power to fix the state’s riskiest dams. They’ve never used it
California’s 40 most hazardous dams would endanger up to 1.5 million people if they failed.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
US buildings threatened, destroyed by fires set to triple by 2060
Researchers found a high fire risk for socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods in the American West.
LA residents may be allowed to paint their own crosswalks
Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky put out a motion instructing the Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation to study the feasibility of allowing volunteers to paint crosswalks.
Dallas moves to overhaul its zoning code
The city's zoning reform will allow more multi-family and mixed-use developments.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority