With an "unprecedented" amount of development applications waiting for review, and the impending arrival of light rail linking to downtown L.A., seaside Santa Monica is growing up, literally. Sam Lubell examines the city's "development tsunami."
"Once upon a time, Santa Monica was a sleepy beach town, far removed from the ruckus of Los Angeles," writes Lubell. "That day has long passed. As the economy recovers from the recession, the city is poised to become one of the development and architectural capitals of Southern California."
"More than 35 projects have applied for development agreements in the city, the majority of them multiple-story, mixed-used developments. Many of the architects involved are internationally recognized, such as Frank Gehry, OMA, and Pugh + Scarpa."
However, as should be expected in a city going through dramatic growing pains, "[t]here are several critics of all this development," notes Lubell. "Most protesters claim that while development will be focused on downtown, that won’t stop traffic and other problems from spreading throughout the city. One vocal neighborhood group, the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City, called the upcoming projects a 'tsunami of development' and complained about the increased traffic and environmental impact that the new construction would bring."
FULL STORY: Development Tsunami

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.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope
Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.

Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects
The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.

How Project Connect Would Change ‘The Drag’
A popular — and sometimes deadly — Austin road will exchange car lanes for light rail.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service