California

Gov. Jerry Brown Restricts Funds for Affordable Housing in New Budget

California's recent rains brought relief to a large part of the water-starved state, but another drought of a political nature hasn't seen relief—the will of coastal municipalities to permit more housing. Brown outlined a way for new funding.

January 15, 2017 - Streetsblog California

Alamo Square

Where Land Is More Valuable than Homes

It's surprisingly common to find cities where land is worth more than buildings. Start with California, for instance.

January 14, 2017 - Realtor

Sacramento

The Details of Sacramento's Proposed Downtown Streetcar Line

The cities of West Sacramento and Sacramento have high hopes for a streetcar line planned for some of the most beautiful and urban neighborhoods in the region. The Trump Administration could still change the course of the project, however.

January 13, 2017 - The Sacramento Bee

San Diego

A New Community Plan for a Neighborhood on the Border

The city of San Diego recently approved a 30-year community plan for the San Ysidro neighborhood.

January 13, 2017 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Venice Beach

Proposed Law Would Ban Unaccompanied Adults from City Playgrounds in L.A.

There is plenty of debate surrounding a proposed law that would prohibit adults from entering city-owned playgrounds unless in the company of children.

January 12, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Green Line, Los Angeles

Review of November 2016 Transportation Ballot Measures

About 50 transportation measures appeared on local ballots on November 8, 2016. To date, Planetizen reviewed outcomes in nine regions in six states. Here we compare the measures in terms of revenue, taxes, projects, and reasons for failure.

January 12, 2017 - Planetizen

Homeless Man

Homeless Deaths on the Rise in Sacramento

Activists call for policy makers to curb deaths among Sacramento, California's homeless population.

January 12, 2017 - Next City

Gas Pump

New Year's Day State Gas Tax Increases, Decreases, and What Lies Ahead

Pennsylvania, the state that had the highest gas tax last year, saw the highest gas tax increase of 7.9 cents per gallon, the final increment of a 2013 law. Michigan's 7.3 cents tax increase, signed into law in 2015, is the second largest increase.

January 11, 2017 - Tax Justice Blog

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Lucas Museum Finally Finds a Home—in Los Angeles

This story has had more twists than the end of Empire Strikes Back, but it seems like it finally might end in Los Angeles.

January 11, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Congestion versus mobility

Debate Renewed: Can Uber and Lyft Solve Congestion?

A new study predicts the congestion relief benefits of carpooling services offered by Transportation Network Companies. A skeptical audience replies.

January 9, 2017 - San Jose Mercury News

More Details of Bus Rapid Transit's Expanding Reach in San Francisco

The Geary bus corridor was the #1 pick for a subway according to a Muni survey, but commuters will have to settle for bus rapid transit. A milestone was reached when the San Francisco County Transportation Authority approved the design and EIR.

January 9, 2017 - SF Gate

Bus Lane

13 Years Later—Environmental Review for San Francisco Bus Rapid Transit Project Complete

The California Environmental Quality Act-mandated review process for a proposed bus rapid transit project in San Francisco took 13 years to complete.

January 8, 2017 - San Francisco Examiner

Leaving California

New Housing Report Finds California Fails to Produce 100,000 Units Annually

The report by the state Department of Housing and Community Development is in the form of a draft assessment that solicits comments. For the last 10 years, the state produced on average 80,000 units annually, while the need was for 180,000 units.

January 7, 2017 - Public CEO

Oil Companies Ordered to Cease Injection of Wastewater into California Aquifers

Seven oil companies, including Chevron, have been injecting wastewater into 10 aquifers for decades despite never receiving permission from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to do so. The aquifers are not currently used for drinking water.

January 7, 2017 - San Francisco Chronicle

LA Metro, Wilshire and Western

Purple Line Extension Gets $1.6 Billion Boost in Los Angeles

The Purple Line subway extension is picking up momentum in Los Angeles. With construction already underway on the first phase, the second phase should commence in 2018.

January 5, 2017 - The Source

Debate

Trump: The Ultimate Unintended Consequence

In Sacramento, a protracted fight involving the California Environmental Quality Act downsized a proposed development. It also added fuel to the pro-Trump, anti-development fire that swept the nation on November 8.

January 5, 2017 - California Planning & Development Report

Los Angeles Bungalow Court

Building Small to Make California Homes More Affordable

A Santa Ana small lot development could be an example of how California could become more affordable by building more dense urban-style homes throughout the state.

January 4, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Michigan the Latest to Preempt Municipalities from Banning Plastic Bags

Michigan has joined a small but growing list of states that have passed laws prohibiting municipalities from banning single-use plastic bags or charging for bags, as is done in California. Critics assail it as an 'attack on local control.'

January 2, 2017 - MLive

Report: California Should Treat Housing Crisis like Climate Change

The California Apartment Association released a report on what it will take to solve the state's chronic housing shortage. Cities that are loath to permit new residential developments, both affordable and market rate, will not be pleased.

January 1, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Fear of Low-Income Housing Blocks Veterans' Housing Project Near San Diego

In November, the city of Poway, California rejected a veterans' housing project. The story is informative for the way communities rally to obstruct the addition of low-income housing.

December 30, 2016 - Voice of San Diego

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.