John King is surprised to find that a bold plan for a public space has somehow squeaked through the Berkeley, CA planning process in an area between BART and campus.
The project is the last piece remaining of an extensive UC Berkeley proposal that had included a hotel, conference center and museum before the recession hit.
King writes, "the plan's less-controversial aspects include "a major public gathering place" on Center Street that would be "a model for sustainable design." And Hood has fleshed out this notion with pragmatic grace."
King dings the Bay Area for worshipping public process over quality results.
"So when an inventive approach to urban space gains traction in a city as fractious as Berkeley, I'm happily surprised.", writes King.
FULL STORY: Berkeley plan weds the natural, the practical
Berkeley Bus Bench Activists Shame City Into Action
Two residents are building and placing wooden benches at bus stops that lack seating. The city has replaced at least one with a permanent bench.
UC Berkeley Says Supportive Housing ‘Inseparable’ Part of People’s Park Project
The park remains closed to the public as a court weighs a decision on the university’s proposed housing development.
Berkeley Natural Gas Ban Remains Reversed
A court declined to revisit its decision to invalidate a city ban on natural gas hookups.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
How Transit Architecture Impacts Real and Perceived Safety
More than a third of Americans believe major transit systems are too unsafe to ride. The built environment can change that.
New York Passes Housing Package Focused on New Development and Adaptive Reuse
The FY 2025 budget includes a new tax incentive, funding for affordable housing on state land, and support for adaptive reuse and ADUs.
LA Metro Board Approves New 710 Freeway Plan
The newest plan for the 710 corridor claims it will not displace any residents.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
