California

Google street view of wide grassy median in Beverly Hills, California.

Beverly Hills Installs First ‘Green Street’

A three-block median featuring native plants and bioswales is part of the city’s broader effort to reduce water consumption and pollution.

February 22, 2024 - Beverly Press

Orange California poppies in bloom over gently rolling hills in Southern California's Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve.

Experiencing California's Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

Located in the western Mojave Desert, this stunning state natural reserve is renowned for its breathtaking displays of California poppies and has even been referred to as California's most beautiful place.

February 22, 2024 - California.com

View of downtown Los Angeles from elevated hillside with palm trees in foreground and pink sky.

Planning for Trees in Los Angeles

The County and City of Los Angeles are working together on community engagement efforts for their Urban Forest Management Plans (UFMPs).

February 21, 2024 - LAist

Aerial view of low-rise neighborhood near ocean in South Bay, Los Angeles, California.

Enhancing Public Services to LA's Unincorporated Areas

The County of Los Angeles recently launched a website to better connect residents of unincorporated areas to information and municipal services offered by the county.

February 20, 2024 - County of Los Angeles

Pink flowers in bloom in front of wood gazebo/pavilion in Descanso Gardens, Los Angeles.

The Importance of Botanical Gardens

Southern California is home to some of the best botanical gardens around. TimeOut just released its list of the top Japanese and botanical gardens, mansion and institution gardens, and urban and hidden gardens.

February 20, 2024 - TimeOut

White bike helmet lies upturned on a road with red bicylce underneath the front of a far in the background.

Florida Is the Deadliest State for Cyclists

Seven of the 10 U.S. counties with the highest cyclist fatality rates are located in Florida, new analysis shows.

February 20, 2024 - The Guardian

Close-up shot of Hollywood Blvd street sign and pedestrian crossing signal with red 'Don't walk' hand lit.

Billboard Highlights LA’s Pedestrian Safety Crisis

According to road safety advocates, more pedestrians died on one Los Angeles street than in the entire state of Vermont in 2022.

February 19, 2024 - Business Insider

Bird's eye view of green painted bike lane with one cyclist.

LA’s Mobility Plan Implementation Faces Opposition

The city’s firefighters’ union claims that bike and bus lanes would slow response times and impede access for first responders.

February 16, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Yellow and black light rail train at street-level station with downtown Los Angeles skyline in background.

Los Angeles Transit Ridership Grew in 2023

Metro attributes the growth to new destinations, added security, and a streamlined train system.

February 15, 2024 - Los Angeles Daily News

TOD Opportunities Around America's First True High-Speed Rail Line

Brightline West hopes to break ground, in anticipation of a 2027 opening. Cities in the Inland Empire and High Desert areas of Southern California are looking to take advantage.

February 14, 2024 - California Planning & Development Report

Close-up of green and white Bike Route sign with arrow in California.

California Issues Complete Streets Guidelines

The new guidelines are a start, but will local districts enforce them?

February 12, 2024 - Streetsblog California

View from under tall Los Angeles freeway overpass.

California Officials Propose Changes to Freeway ‘Airspace’ Storage Program

Since a November fire in Los Angeles, city officials have found more than three-quarters of leased freeway-adjacent properties visited so far fail their inspection.

February 8, 2024 - ABC7

Crosswalk in San Jose, California.

California Daylighting Law Bans Parking Near Crosswalks

Limiting parking within 20 feet of intersections improves visibility and reduces collisions with pedestrians.

February 8, 2024 - Mercury News

Close-up of Bike Lane Closed sign on street in downtown Los Angeles with orange traffic cones blocking lane in background.

LA’s Mobility Plan Implementation Up to Voters

A measure on the local ballot in March could force the city to implement its own mobility plan, which city officials call “a guide, not a mandate.”

February 7, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Freeway on-ramp sign for Interstate 15 in California.

California Commission Approves Freeway Expansion

The state Transportation Commission ultimately voted to move a controversial Inland Empire interstate project forward.

February 6, 2024 - Streetsblog California

Small tents set up on sidewalk by unhoused people next to boarded-up one-story industrial building in San Francisco, California.

The Point-in-Time Homelessness Count, Explained

Each year, cities across the nation undertake a massive effort to physically count their unhoused residents.

February 6, 2024 - KQED

Silver and blue train passing by on track at the edge of Pacific Ocean in San Clemente, California.

Storms Sever California Rail Line—Again

The coast-hugging rail corridor linking Los Angeles and San Diego faces an uncertain future as mudslides once again force part of the line to close.

February 6, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

White bus pulling up to sidewalk bus station in Berkeley, California.

Berkeley Bus Bench Activists Shame City Into Action

Two residents are building and placing wooden benches at bus stops that lack seating. The city has replaced at least one with a permanent bench.

February 1, 2024 - Next City

Line of white stucco, multistory luxury homes on street.

Judge Halts Permits for Beverly Hills Home Renovations Over Lack of Affordable Housing

The city is two years late in developing a housing plan that is compliant with state laws.

January 31, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Aerial view of suburban Fremont, California.

California Housing Advocates Closely Watching Bay Area Rezoning Deadline

California’s reaction to cities that fail to submit compliant zoning plans could reverberate across the state as other regions near their deadlines.

January 30, 2024 - CALmatters

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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.