Santa Monica
Bird and Lime launched their "Day Without A Scooter" protest this week.
Santa Monica Daily Press
It's a temporary experiment, but Santa Monica will not cap the number of scooters operated by private companies in the city.
Los Angeles Times
The terminus of the I-10 freeway is a 7,000-foot concrete trench across the heart of Santa Monica. The city's new downtown plan calls for a cap, and a new master plan will hammer out specifics.
The Architect's Newspaper
This is a story about green building practices, conservation, and rainwater capture—not desalinization.
News Deeply
Mayor Ted Winterer and Mayor Pro Tem Gleam Davis elaborate on the city’s new Downtown Community Plan, which includes what may be the state's highest inclusionary housing requirement.
The Planning Report
The city of Santa Monica increased in population by 6,500 between 1960 and 2010, while the rest of Los Angeles County grew by 60 percent over the same period. A debate over a new downtown plan that includes more housing was never going to be simple.
Los Angeles Times
Finally, good news regarding public transit ridership in Los Angeles, where the Expo Line connection to Santa Monica has very quickly outpaced its projections.
Urbanize LA
Many local leaders spoke strongly against President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accords, but local land use and transportation policies still sorely lack any consideration of climate impact.
Santa Monica Next
After residents soundly defeated the anti-growth Measure LV in November, city officials are still trying to propose a plan that addresses the traffic and livability concerns that led to the initiative being placed on the ballot.
The Planning Report
The Bay Foundation have built a two acre enclave, "re-wilding" the area with native plants mimicking what it may have looked like before human interference.
KPCC
The cities of Santa Monica, Culver CIty, West Hollywood, and Malibu are championing stormwater infrastructure, new public transit, affordable housing, and action on homelessness prevention.
The Planning Report
Santa Monica is testing out a 'Tinder-like' application for approving or disapproving of developments.
The Guardian
It's no longer just transit agencies that are trying to meet the first mile-last mile challenge—auto companies have also jumped in by offering "mobility services." And it's more profitable than selling cars!
The New York Times
The so-called LUVE initiative, which would have required a public vote on any development exceeding 32 feet or two stories, was rejected by over 56 percent of voters. Opponents significantly outspent supporters who failed to get council support.
Curbed Los Angeles
Santa Monica is the first city in California to adopt an ordinance requiring new single-family homes be built to net-zero energy standards.
Construction Dive
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio is also a committed climate change activist. His documentary on the topic airs Oct. 30 on the National Geographic channel. At the U.N., he asked leaders to take bold action. Yet, as an Angeleno, he opposes increased density.
Curbed LA
A "good news" story for pedestrians emerges from the streets of Los Angeles and Santa Monica. Traffic signals at heavily used pedestrian intersections have been reengineered to add a 'scramble phase' and the results are startling.
NBC Los Angeles
Cities throughout California, including Santa Monica, have been awarded research and development funding through the California Energy Commission to plan community-scale microgrid solutions.
The Planning Report
This time, the scene of the anti-development ire is Santa Monica, where local advocates have qualified for the November ballot on initiative requiring a vote for any project building beyond the zoning code.
Santa Monica Next
The $1.5 billion, 6.6-mile light rail extension from Culver City to Santa Monica is projected to double trips on the line by 2030, giving commuters a viable alternative to driving. Just the same, don't expect the extension to reduce congestion.
Wired
