Reconciling accessibility and safety with costs and innovation in the Golden State.
The California Building code, covers accessibility and structural safety (especially as relates to earthquakes), got an update this January. According to reporting from Diego Aguilar-Canabal who writes for the Bay City Beacon, "Few builders object to its myriad requirements, but rather to the politics of it all - stringent design guidelines and unpredictable local implementation isolate California’s construction trades from innovation in the global market." For example, some who would like to build with Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) because it is a light, energy-efficient material are unable to because of, what they see as, outdated regulations kept in place by the concrete lobby.
One independent consulting group agreed with developers who say the codes add unnecessary costs. "A survey by the McKinsey Global Institute found that the construction industry was generally outpaced by overall economic growth by at least 75%, making infrastructure demand harder to meet." Aguilar-Canabal writes.
FULL STORY: The California Building Code Makes Everything More Expensive
When the Earth Turns to Liquid
A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Sept. 25, followed by a massive tsunami. Soil liquefaction caused by the tremor resulted in 1,700 homes being "swallowed" as the soil shifted. Deaths exceeded 1,400 on Oct. 3.
Bay Area Not Prepared for Next Big One
As the death toll from Mexico's 7.1 magnitude earthquake on Sept. 19 climbs above 300, the San Francisco Chronicle investigates how well prepared the Bay Area is for an earthquake of comparable magnitude. Not very well.
Mexico City Earthquake Should Raise Questions About Building Safety
The epicenter of Tuesday's quake was in the state of Puebla, 80 miles southeast of Mexico City. Soft soil and unreinforced buildings magnified the damage. The quake comes two weeks after an 8.1 quake struck off the coast of the state of Oaxaca.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.
San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.
‘It’s Been 50 years’: Bill to Update Public Transit Law Awaits Governor’s Signature
Legislation would fix transportation district issue, allow for greater reach on city bus routes.
Lakewood Celebrates Arbor Day and Strengthens Urban Forestry Legacy
Lakewood celebrated Arbor Day and its 43rd year as a Tree City USA community with a youth-led tree planting event at O’Kane Park, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to urban forestry and environmental education.
NYC Congestion Pricing Continues to Show Positive Results
While the Trump administration attempts to revoke the program’s federal approval, congestion pricing continues to reduce traffic, speed up bus travel times, and improve air quality in Manhattan.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions