Development proposals in one of the least affluent communities in the Silicon Valley have repeatedly been scuttled due to a lack of water. Wealthier communities have more than enough.
"Hundreds of units of affordable housing and millions of square feet of commercial construction in East Palo Alto cannot be developed because the city doesn't have enough water," reports Sue Dremann. The project's demise is only the latest twist in the ongoing story about East Palo Alto's efforts to invest in their community running into a wall of water shortages.
Dremann notes that East Palo Alto is currently allotted 1.96 million gallons per day by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). Using 57 gallons per day, East Palo Alto's residents use less water per capita than any other wholesale water customers supplied by SFPUC. Residents in the nearby, affluent city of Hillsborough use 302 gallons per day.
In June, East Palo Alto officials responded to the latest development setback by requesting an additional 1.5 million gallons of water a day. In March, Tara Lohan reported on East Palo Alto's ongoing efforts to secure more water supply. In May, Sam Levin reported on another project that stalled for want of water: a free school for low-income students funded by Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan.
FULL STORY: East Palo Alto runs out of water, development on hold
El Paso Wastewater Purification Facility Breaks Ground
As water supplies become strained and technology advances, cities look to wastewater as a viable source of drinking water.
Virginia Data Centers Draining State’s Water Supply
Being the world’s largest data center hub is having a severe impact on local water resources.
Texas Reservoirs Reach Dangerous Lows
In some parts of the state, water officials have cut off releases that maintain estuaries and other key coastal habitats.
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.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions