California

San Diego, California

Public Options Needed for San Diego's Worst-in-Nation Homeless Shelter Shortage

San Diego has the fewest number of beds for homeless per capita in the nation and must directly intervene to increase the stock of both temporary and permanent beds, according to planning activist Murtaza Baxamusa.

May 31, 2018 - UrbDeZine

The Boring Company

Elon Musk's 'Personal Rapid Transit' Plans Panned By Critics

The "Loop" is the latest manifestation of Elon Musk's transportation fantasies, offering "personal rapid transit" to and from anywhere in Los Angeles without any congestion or cost.

May 31, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Emergency Response

Some Fire Departments Are Supporting Change for the Sake of Safer Streets

A few pioneering fire departments are making room for safety (while demanding less space) on city streets.

May 30, 2018 - Streetsblog USA

Dockless Scooter

New Chapter in the San Francisco Scooter Wars: Removal

The city attorney vows to bring order to the streets (and sidewalks) of San Francisco by requiring electric scooter share companies to apply for permits. First step: all e-scooters must be removed by June 4, or risk a $100 fine per day per scooter.

May 29, 2018 - San Francisco Chronicle

Mountain Lion

The Best Locations for L.A.’s Mountain Lion Freeway Bridges

A coalition of researchers have identified one area near the 101 and other near I-15 that would help keep the big cats alive and healthy.

May 28, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Pacific Ocean

Post-SB 827, California Addresses Infill and Local Planning

California State Sen. Ben Allen has authored SB 961 to finance optional neighborhood infill TOD districts, with support from fellow legislators. Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand is considering an initiative to protect local zoning.

May 27, 2018 - The Planning Report

BART Station

Nothing Conventional About It: BART Begins New Diesel Train Service

By building a diesel-powered train line for the 9.2-mile extension to Antioch in East Contra Costa County, BART saved almost $500 million and began service earlier than had it extended the existing line, though a transfer is required between trains.

May 26, 2018 - East Bay Times

BART Board of Directors Votes Down Livermore Extension

A controversial vote sets a "fix it first" agenda for regional transit planning—the implications of this decision could potentially reach far beyond the scope of this single project.

May 26, 2018 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Floating Village Proposed for Protection Against Floods and Quakes

A "floating village" has been proposed for a San Jose neighborhood, with building riding on pontoons as a safeguard against repeated flooding.

May 25, 2018 - San Jose Mercury News

Wind farm and greenhouse gas farm, together

California Poll: Voters Likely to Repeal 12-Cents Gas Tax Increase in November

It's not looking good for transportation advocates who want to retain over $5 billion in annual transportation funding made possible the passage of a bill last year that enabled the first gas tax increase in California since 1994.

May 25, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles STreet

Mobility as a Symphony: Los Angeles Prepares for Transportation of the Future

LADOT is rehearsing now for the day it has to manage autonomous vehicles alongside delivery drones and air taxis.

May 25, 2018 - The Planning Report

Meadow Wetlands

What Billions in Bonds Could Do for California Water

From clean drinking supply to sinking infrastructure, California has a lot to worry about when it comes to water. Two upcoming bonds could make a dent in the work ahead.

May 25, 2018 - The Planning Report

California Coas

How Best to Pay for Park, Wildlife, and Water Improvements

Only one of the five propositions on California's June primary ballot is a general obligation bond measure. Prop. 68 authorizes $4 billion for projects benefiting parks and water quality. Opponents prefer a pay-as-you-go approach using general funds.

May 23, 2018 - The Mercury News

Ghost Bike

Two Strategies for Achieving Vision Zero

To end traffic fatalities while still enabling urban mobility, cars will have to slow down and people will have to travel by other modes.

May 22, 2018 - Medium

Stormwater Infrastructure

No Opposition to California Proposition Promoting Stormwater Capture

Voters looking for a reason to vote against Prop 72, which provides a tax break for homeowners who install rainwater capture systems, won't find one. None were submitted. Proponents of measures for parks, climate, and transportation are not so lucky.

May 22, 2018 - KQED Science

Salesforce Tower and 181 Fremont

California Getting Way More New Jobs Than New Housing

Even with tons of building permits already issued this year, the outlook for the state’s affordability crisis is pretty grim.

May 21, 2018 - The Mercury News

Solar Residential

Details of the Golden State's Residential Solar Requirement

San Francisco Chronicle energy reporter David R. Baker sheds some light on the nation's first state building code requiring that solar panels be included in new home construction, adopted by the California Energy Commission on May 9.

May 21, 2018 - San Francisco Chronicle

Hollywood Sign

L.A.'s Anti-Density Advocate Still Hopes to Make Planners 'Uncomfortable'

One of the main forces behind Measure S spills her thoughts on Hollywood, homelessness and what’s wrong with planning in Los Angeles.

May 20, 2018 - Curbed Los Angeles

San Francisco Construction

Major Development Slows to a Snail's Pace in San Francisco

A bustling economy and a worsening housing crisis isn't enough to inspire a building boom in San Francisco—quite the opposite in fact.

May 19, 2018 - SocketSite

Port of Oakland

Federal Judge Strikes Down Oakland's Ban on Coal Exports

Shipping coal from Utah to export to Asia through a new cargo facility in Oakland, California took a significant step forward on May 15 with a strongly worded ruling condemning the adequacy of the city of Oakland's environmental analysis.

May 18, 2018 - KQED: California Report

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.

Comprehensive Bikeway Design Workshop

Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University

Early Bird Deadline – save on your tuition fee!🚨

Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.