Taking Stock of California's Leadership in Integrated Regional Planning

Kaid Benfield traces the history of the pioneering legislation, which was passed in 2008 with contributions and support "from a diverse collection of commercial, real estate, government, housing and environmental interests [including the NRDC]," and provides a summary of the progress made in implementing the law over the past four years, as outlined in the report. 

"Today," says Benfield, "the law is being implemented:  three of California's four
largest major metropolitan regions – Southern California, Sacramento,
and San Diego – have adopted their plans, called sustainable communities
strategies, technically parts of their transportation plans..."

"The report finds much to praise in the new plans:

'As intended by SB 375, each region created its own tailored mix
of land use decisions, transportation investments, and policies to
achieve its target. These sustainable community strategies lay the
foundation for smarter, more efficient growth and much healthier
communities, while setting a high benchmark for the rest of California's
regions."'

The report, titled The Bold Plans for California Communities, doesn't just look backwards, as Benfield notes, it "includes a number of policy recommendations to help ensure effective implementation of the new community strategies."