California
L.A. Tenants Link Planned 'Design District' to Displacement
Community leaders say a design district in Westlake could pave the way for the erasure of L.A's Historic Filipinotown.
What Community-Based Zoning Enforcement Looks Like in South Central Los Angeles
Passion for urban planning, love of South Central LA communities, and historical background of the neighborhoods combine in this personal account by Jonathan P. Bell of community-based zoning enforcement.
Most California Cities Now Subject to State-Mandated Development Streamlining
Given that 97 percent of California cities aren't meeting their housing targets, SB 35, last year's landmark "by-right" housing bill, now applies to projects that contain varying amounts of affordable units.
There Will Be No Bus Rapid Transit in the Silicon Valley
Local politicians and the public had years to review a proposal that would create dedicated lanes for bus service along El Camino as it cuts through the region. The project found very little support.
State Legislation Would Clear CEQA Obstructions for Road and Transit Projects
One legislator believes CEQA "is a key barrier to California meeting its ambitious climate change goals.”
Road Diet, Protected Bike Lane Coming to the Heart of Sacramento
Major changes are coming to one of Sacramento's busiest commercial and commuting corridors.
Berkeley Mayor Condemns Legislation to Increase Housing Density by Transit
Mayor Jesse Arreguín's charges about permissible heights, demolition of rent-controlled housing and displacement that would result from Senate Bill 827 by Sen. Wiener are refuted in the Berkeleyside article, though the latter two have resonance.
Federal Plan for Renewable Energy Development in the California Desert on Trump's Cutting Board
The issue of wind and solar energy development has always been a hot button in the California desert, and the Trump Administration just pressed it.
Los Angeles Leads Nine Cities Earning 'What Works Cities' Certification
Bloomberg Philanthropies recognized nine cities leading the trend toward better use of data in city governance practices.
Uber Now in the Bikesharing Business
Ride-hailing service Uber is piloting a new venture in San Francisco alongside dockless bike-sharing startup Jump.
Study Finds More Reasons to Worry About Airbnb's Effect in the Housing Market
The new study, published by the Urban Politics and Governance research group at McGill University, comes with a major disclaimer: it was funded by the Hotel Trades Council, AFL-CIO, among other.
Four Steps to More Affordable Housing in San Diego (and Elsewhere)
San Diego is one of the most expensive housing markets in the country and has the fourth highest homeless population. Planning activist Murtaza Baxamusa identifies four needed measures.
One Obstacle to ADU Construction in California: The Price of Permits
The price of a permit to build an accessory dwelling units in the city of Thousand Oaks in Southern California is prohibitive—putting the permitting fee in opposition to the stated intent of the city's zoning code and state law.
Desalination Projects Get a Big Boost in California
Desalination is often suggested as a potential panacea for California's ongoing struggles with drought. The catch in the announcement of $34.4 million in state funding for desalination projects shows why desalination is not there yet.
A $48 Million Bet on the 'L.A. Model' of Juvenile Justice
With Campus Kilpatrick, Los Angeles County has made a serious investment in progressive design to support progressive programming.
Gov. Jerry Brown Calls for Five Million ZEVs on California Roads by 2030
The executive order calls for $2.5 billion for rebates and electric charging and hydrogen fueling stations, subject to approval by legislature. His earlier executive order called for 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles by 2025.
L.A. Transit Ridership Drops 15 Percent in 5 Years Despite New Light Rail Extensions
Bus riders, comprising about three-quarters of Los Angeles Metro ridership, declined 21 percent since 2013, But it wasn't just bus routes—two light rail lines also lost riders.
Gov. Jerry Brown's 16th and Final State of the State
Infrastructure, climate change, and natural disasters were among the themes of the California governor's final address to the legislature and public. Two of his accomplishments, high-speed rail and increasing the gas tax, face uncertain futures.
A Planning and Economic Development Quandary in Fresno
Should cities with some of the worst air pollution in the country be adding massive campuses for logistics and heavy industries?
Former Bay Bridge Piers Offer a New Approach to the Water
"Four piers from the old eastern span of the Bay Bridge will live on as a public boardwalk and vista point in Oakland and on Yerba Buena Island," reports Erin Baldassari.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
