California

A Next Generation Kerfuffle for Telecommunications Infrastructure

The rollout of "5G" wireless Internet technology was already creating political controversy in local cities and communities. Then the California State Legislature proposed a bill that would streamline the approval process for 5G installations.

July 7, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Sacramento - San Joaquin River Delta

Lawsuits Slow Progress of California's $17 Billion WaterFix Project

Environmentalists and the fishing industry filed lawsuits just a few days after a massive plan to build tunnels to move water under the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta in California received a green light from the federal government.

July 7, 2017 - The Mercury News

Homeless Encampment

L.A. Now Has Real Money for Homelessness but No Real Plan

L.A. has a new bond issue and a new sales tax for homelessness. But Mayor Eric Garcetti and the City Council actions to alleviate homelessness have been tepid and slow. Affordable housing developer and Michael Russell has some suggestions.

July 7, 2017 - UrbDeZine

Bike and Bus Lane

FHWA Greenlights More Red Lanes for Buses in San Francisco

The Federal Highway Administration approved 50 applications of red transit-only lanes to be painted throughout San Francisco. Already used on four streets in a pilot program, the lanes have proven effective but are opposed by some business owners.

July 6, 2017 - San Francisco Examiner

Los Angeles sprawl

New Community Plans for South L.A.

The Los Angeles City Planning Commission has approved new plans for parts of South Los Angeles. A focus on transit-oriented development and commercial revitalization has raised concerns over displacement.

July 6, 2017 - Curbed LA

Charging Anxiety, Not Price Anxiety, the Biggest Impediment to Electric Vehicle Adoption

California legislators hoping to entice motorists to purchase electric vehicles with more generous rebates or other perks are missing the real obstacle for many consumers, according to a new study on electric vehicle charging.

July 6, 2017 - KPCC

San Bernardino Skyline

One Developer's Idea for Regional Housing Solutions in Southern California

New housing development is off to a slow start in Los Angeles in 2017. Although the city defeated an anti-growth ballot measure, LA is still faced with a number of policy and legal challenges to building an adequate supply of affordable housing.

July 5, 2017 - The Planning Report

Expo Line

Designing a Multi-Modal, User-Focused TOD Vision for Los Angeles' Expo Line

Facing explosive development interest around its Metro station, the small city of Culver on L.A.’s Westside is taking steps to shape its mobility future.

July 4, 2017 - The Planning Report

Tent City Bay Area

Homelessness a Growing Issue in San Francisco Suburbs

Across the nation, suburban homeless populations are growing. Many of these communities are unprepared to shelter or serve these growing populations.

July 3, 2017 - KQED

YIMBYs

Planning's New Rivalry: Housing Advocates vs. Radical Left

As the YIMBY movement has gained momentum in high-cost cities, advocates for social justice and subsidized housing have taken aim, claiming that YIMBY's pro-development stance aligns them with predatory capitalism and neoliberalism.

July 3, 2017 - California Planning & Development Report

Suburbia

On California's Broken Housing Requirement System

Liam Dillon has written the exact article for anyone who has every rolled their eyes at the words "housing element" or Regional Housing Needs Assessment.

July 3, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Protest Crowd

L.A. Metro CEO Challenges Trump on Infrastructure Funding

President Trump’s most recent transportation budget is projected to cut transportation spending by 13 percent, potentially undercutting many of Los Angeles' ambitious projects to continue the build-out of a full public transportation system.

July 3, 2017 - The Planning Report

Long Beach to Los Angeles

L.A. Metro Will Spend $81.5 Million to Improve Blue Line to Long Beach

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) appears to be taking a break from its perpetual expansion projects to make some improvements to the heavily used but aging Blue Line.

July 2, 2017 - Curbed Los Angeles

Metro Buses

Los Angeles Metro Begins Conversion to Renewable Natural Gas Buses

At a June 22 meeting, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board ordered 295 buses that will be fueled with renewable natural gas. An expected purchase of 35 electric buses was delayed until next month's meeting.

July 1, 2017 - NGT News

San Diego Rail

Could San Diego and Imperial Counties Split from California?

If one of the efforts to divide up California into smaller states became reality, San Diego and Imperial County would thrive, according to land use consultant Wayne Raffesberger.

July 1, 2017 - UrbDeZine

Steptoe Butte State Park

Trump Budget Would Cut PILT Funding to Rural Communities

Sparsely-populated rural counties with large amounts of public land stand to lose the most if the Trump Administration succeeds in cutting funding to the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program.

June 30, 2017 - KPCC

Santa Fe Train Station

Light Rail Stations to Charge for Parking in Southern California's San Gabriel Valley

The popularity of the Gold Line extension in the San Gabriel Valley to the east of Pasadena requires a new approach to parking. It's hoped that parking fees will decrease demand for parking at stations along the route without affecting ridership.

June 30, 2017 - KPCC

Seattle

Seattle Tackling Equity Challenges With Global Lens

Seattle is faced with an affordable housing crisis that has led the new Planning & Community Development Director Sam Assefa to look globally for solutions.

June 30, 2017 - The Planning Report

Workers Returning, Carefully, to the Scene of Epic Landslide on the California Coast

Engineers are searching for solid ground along the California coast at the scene of a massive landslide that wiped out California Highway 1 near San Luis Obispo.

June 30, 2017 - The Tribune

Glen Canyon Dam

Climate Change Is Shrinking the Colorado River

Documenting the effects of climate change on the West's most vital source of water.

June 30, 2017 - The Conversation

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

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Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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