California
Dismal Poll Findings for Bay Area: Half the Respondents Want to Leave
To paraphrase Bill Clinton, it's the housing, stupid! In addition to the troubling findings of the Bay Area Council poll, a California housing report found that Silicon Valley had the highest percentage of residents leaving their counties.
California Evictions Much Faster and More Frequent Than Previously Thought
About 500,000 tenants face eviction every year—triple previous estimates. And over a million may be involuntary displaced despite never making it to court.
Widening I-80 from Davis to Sacramento: HOT Lane or HOV Lane?
Caltrans is studying a plan to widen 16 miles of Interstate 80 through Solano and Yolo counties, over the Yolo Bypass. Initially, the plan called for a carpool lane, but uncertainty about funding makes a toll lane a possibility.
Bad News for L.A.'s Homelessness Strategy: Public Restroom Plan Falls Apart
The city's failure to deliver public restrooms is not the first sign of trouble for its sweeping homelessness plan, but it’s a painful one for the residents of Skid Row.
California to Invest $1 Billion in Electric Trucks, Buses, Charging Infrastructure
The investment comes not from the state legislature but from two regulatory bodies, the Air Resources Board and the Public Utilities Commission, authorizing the expenditure of VW settlement funds and utility ratepayer funds, respectively.
Editorial Exposes Bay Area Housing Hypocrisy
Cities can't have it both ways on the housing crisis, asserts an SF Chronicle editorial. Case in point: Berkeley passes a resolution to declare homelessness a state of emergency while opposing legislation to allow BART to develop its parking lots.
Landowners Restrict Access to California Beach
A homeowners group has successfully moved to severely limit public access to the beaches of Hollister Ranch, a 14,500-acre parcel to the west of Santa Barbara.
Bad Break for Scooter Rental Company in its Hometown
Years before there was e-scooter-share, there was electric (Vespa-like) scooter-share in San Francisco by start-up Scoot. Now that they are ready to launch electric bikeshare, the city won't let them, unlike Barcelona, Spain where it began service.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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