California

Mountain View

Microsoft Adds to the Tech Industry's Construction Schedule in the Silicon Valley

Microsoft is the latest tech industry titan to announce a major construction project in the Silicon Valley.

December 6, 2017 - The Mercury News

Washington Water Storage

House Bill Would Streamline Construction of New Dams and Reservoirs

House Republicans from Washington are hoping to cut red tape for the development of surface storage facilities as the American West grapples with intensifying droughts.

December 6, 2017 - Crosscut

Office Building

Report: Suburban Construction Will Dominate the Office Market in 2018

Despite reports that the office market is shifting to the center city, the suburbs will dominate the office market in 2018, according to analysis from Yardi Systems.

December 6, 2017 - The Dallas Morning News

Los Angeles

Los Angeles Could Streamline Temporary Shelters, Permanent Supportive Housing

Los Angeles is exploring multiple angles for sheltering the 34,000 homeless living in the city. Urbanize LA takes a look at two of the city's most recent legislative efforts to develop more supportive housing.

December 5, 2017 - Urbanize LA

Surge Pricing

San Francisco Considers Citywide Demand-Based Parking

San Francisco could become the first U.S. city to use demand-based parking rates citywide.

December 4, 2017 - SFGate

Greener Gasoline to Come from Solar-Powered Oil Wells in California

Crude oil from Kern County's Belridge field will soon have a much lower life cycle carbon intensity thanks to new solar technology used to extract hard-to-get oil. The renewal of California's carbon cap-and-trade market made it possible.

December 4, 2017 - The Washington Post - Energy and Environment

Agriculture

More of California's Central Valley Is Sinking

Over taxed groundwater supplies are causing the ground to sink in the Central Valley. Subsidence has been identified in a new location, farther south than previous incidents.

December 3, 2017 - Fox26

California

Facebook to Expand to the East Bay

The Bay Area's cup runneth over.

December 3, 2017 - The Mercury News

The High Cost of Curbside Electric Vehicle Charging

There's nothing like the convenience of charging one's electric vehicle at home, assuming you have a garage, driveway, or your apartment building has a charger. California cities and utilities are working to increase EV infrastructure on all fronts.

December 3, 2017 - San Francisco Chronicle

Google Headquarters

Google's Second Headquarters and the Future of San Jose

Amazon isn't the only tech giant building a second headquarters. Google's new offices could change the way companies interact with cities for the better, if they want to.

December 2, 2017 - CityLab

Commuter Rail

Caltrain Electrification Can't Come Soon Enough for Neighbors

Transit adjacent developments have their downsides when the transit is a diesel-powered commuter train, and the location is a stub-end terminal. Case in point: San Francisco's Mission Bay.

December 1, 2017 - San Francisco Chronicle

Carpool Lane Sticker

Southern California Air Quality Paradox: Air Quality Worsens While Emissions Drop

Ozone pollution is worsening in five counties in Southern California, and the Air Quality Management District doesn't know why.

November 30, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Interstate Highway

With a 710 Freeway Extension Unlikely, Cities Propose Alternatives

After withdrawing support for a controversial extension of the 710 Freeway, Los Angeles Metro is asking cities for local road improvements to improve traffic flow in its stead.

November 30, 2017 - Pasadena Star-News

California

A Proposal to Plan Regionally in the Silicon Valley

Could development fights in the home of the biggest tech companies be avoided if cities just talked to each other?

November 30, 2017 - The Mercury News

Inglewood, California

When Whites Return to the Black Neighborhoods They Fled

Los Angeles Times op-ed writer Erin Aubry Kaplan shares her feelings upon seeing whites return to Inglewood, California half a century after they fled. One consistent theme emerges: "Whatever black people have can be taken away."

November 29, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Wildfire

Wildfires Prompt Forestry Debate on Climate Change

While forests sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide, wildfires release enormous amounts of greenhouse gases as they increase in frequency and intensity from climate change.

November 29, 2017 - San Francisco Chronicle

Palm Springs

San Diego Explores its Options for Getting to 100 Percent Renewable Energy

San Diego's Climate Action Plan has set an ambitious goal for renewable energy, and now the investor-owned utility San Diego Gas & Electric is competing for a chance to deliver on those goals.

November 29, 2017 - San Diego Union Tribune

Los Angeles 110 Freeway

South L.A. Community Plans Tackle Gentrification

As public and private investment grow in South L.A., new community plans mark a victory for local organizers seeking to prevent displacement.

November 29, 2017 - KPCC

California Aqueduct

$13 Billion in Water Bonds Headed for the California Ballot in 2018

The legislature placed a $4.1 billion water bond on the ballot in June while a privately funded initiative hopes to qualify an $8.9 billion water bond for the November ballot. The state measure would also fund parks and trails.

November 27, 2017 - San Francisco Chronicle

Berkeley, California

$312 Million Corridor Improvement Project Coming to the East Bay Area

Two county transit agencies, seven cities, and three regional transit agencies are joining forces to plan improvements to the growing San Pablo corridor in the East Bay Area.

November 27, 2017 - The Mercury News

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.

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.