California

Bridj Van

On Demand Ride-Sharing Finds New Homes

Via Transportation Inc is picking up where Bridj left off—offering on demand ride sharing in cities in California and Texas.

November 15, 2017 - Smart Cities Dive

Glen Ellen, California

Could Autonomous Vehicles Save Lives in Disasters?

Autonomous vehicles could provide life-saving assistance in the event of a large-scale evacuation, if a shared fleet of autonomous vehicles is built with this purpose in mind.

November 15, 2017 - Michael R. Boswell

Tenderloin District

Rent Control's Mixed Effects in San Francisco

As California debates the future of rent control in its municipalities, a group of Stanford economists have conducted research that connects San Francisco's existing policy with higher housing costs.

November 14, 2017 - The Mercury News

San Francisco Sprawl

Investigation Reveals Abuses of Affordable Housing Program in San Francisco

Every bit of affordable housing helps in expensive San Francisco, but some residents in the city's "Below Market Rental" units are illegally renting those units for thousands of dollars a month.

November 13, 2017 - KPIX

New Orleans Fire Truck

San Francisco Has a New 'Vision Zero' Fire Truck

The size of fire trucks frustrates advocates on many sides of the public safety debate. The San Francisco Fire Department sought a solution.

November 10, 2017 - SF.Streetsblog

Carpool Lane Sticker

Momentum Builds to Ban Sales of Gas and Diesel-Powered Cars in California

The Los Angeles Times editorialized in support of legislation that is expected to be introduced next year to ban sales of internal combustion engine passenger vehicles, though they didn't suggest a date when the ban should become effective.

November 10, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles, California

UCLA Students Want More Say in Local Development Matters

UCLA Graduate Students Association President Michael Skiles recently announced a plan to break with the Westwood neighborhood Council and establish a new neighborhood council that speaks for the development interest of students.

November 10, 2017 - Curbed Los Angeles

Fisherman's Wharf

San Francisco Lays Out Stormwater Resilience Plan

The strategy ranges from major infrastructure investments to improved neighborhood services.

November 10, 2017 - Smart Cities Dive

Sea Level

San Francisco's Vision for Seismic and Social Resilience

The progressive city hopes to integrate economic, community, and climate resiliency measures in future projects.

November 7, 2017 - The Planning Report

San Diego Construction

San Diego Inclusionary Zoning Program Makes Headway

San Diego's Affordable Homes Bonus Program (AHBP), launched in mid-2016, increases incentives for projects that incorporate more affordable units. Developers are taking notice.

November 7, 2017 - Next City

Los Angeles Street

Questionable Progress in Los Angeles Traffic Safety

Despite enacting a Vision Zero policy in 2015, traffic fatalities continue to rise in Los Angeles

November 6, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Lafayette BART

Op-Ed: BART Should Embrace Driverless Trains

Daniel Borenstein points out the irony that while the Bay Area may be the world's top tech hub, BART has no real plans to consider driverless trains.

November 6, 2017 - The Mercury News

BART Station

BART Carpoolers Get Guaranteed Parking

Park and Ride lots in the East Bay guarantee parking availability for carpooling commuters

November 5, 2017 - The Mercury News

1,800-Unit Mixed-Use Development to Rise Where a Gravel Mine Once Stood

The proposed 3roots San Diego is treading now familiar territory by attempting to appeal to Millennials. Much more novel, however, is the project's reclamation of a former mining pit.

November 4, 2017 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Downtown Oakland

Proposed Development Could Redefine Height in the East Bay Area

The Easy Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area isn't known for skyscrapers, with none of its high-rise buildings topping 25 stories. A newly proposed development could change that.

November 4, 2017 - The Mercury News

Sacramento

Sacramento Plans to Spur Clean Fuel Industry with 'Green City' Initiative

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg hopes that an infusion of EV funds can jumpstart a new, clean economy in the city.

November 4, 2017 - The Planning Report

California Homeless

Key Failures That Led to San Diego's Homeless Crisis

San Diego has one of the largest homeless populations in the country. Years of neglect by the city has led to a recent Hepatitis A outbreak, killing 20 people to date. Poverty lawyer Parisa Ijadi-Maghsoodi identifies eight failures by the city.

November 3, 2017 - UrbDeZine

Amazon Warehouse

Logistics Industry Footprint Grows in the Inland Empire

Some residents are holding out as warehouse developers scope out their property. Others have already accepted offers well above market value.

November 3, 2017 - KPCC

Supreme Court

U.S. Supreme Court Won't Overturn California's Inclusionary Zoning Laws

The U.S. Supreme Court turned down a case with the potential to eradicate inclusionary zoning and in-lieu housing fees in the state of California.

November 3, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Pedestrian Only

Fresno Returns Cars to a Pedestrian Mall in the Name of Downtown Revitalization

While global cities in other parts of the world are taking steps to ban cars from city centers, Fresno, California has taken the opposite approach. Time will tell if the return of vehicle traffic to Fulton Street project pays dividends.

November 2, 2017 - The Fresno Bee

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.