California

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

Bus Lane

San Francisco's Red Carpet Transit Lanes to Continue Through March Evaluation

San Francisco's red, transit-only lanes are a demonstration project. The lanes first appeared in 2013 and were supposed to last two years, with state and federal regulators to determine whether they would continue. The state evaluation began Dec. 6.

December 30, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Van Ness Bus Rapid TRansit

Feds Put $75 Million Toward San Francisco BRT Project

The $223 million Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit project in San Francisco received a major cash infusion from the federal government this week.

December 29, 2016 - Federal Transit Administration

Oakland Coliseum

Oakland Stadium Deal Gains Support

The Raiders are threatening to move to Las Vegas, but the city of Oakland intends to offer a land and infrastructure deal to convince the team to stay.

December 28, 2016 - San Francisco Gate

San Luis Obispo County Leaders Ponder What's Next After Transportation Measure Fails

The November 8 sales tax measure fell 0.37 percent short, but there's new hope from Sacramento with the reintroduction of a gas tax measure. Democrats now hold the bare supermajority in both the Assembly and Senate needed to pass tax increases.

December 28, 2016 - The Tribune

A orivate eye at work

Stakeouts and 'Private Eyes': Monitoring Short-Term Rentals for Tenants' Rights

The constantly moving legal lines between regulators and short-term rental companies like Airbnb have taken on some distinctly noir activities.

December 27, 2016 - Bloomberg

Auto Companies Prepare for Decline of Car Ownership

It's no longer just transit agencies that are trying to meet the first mile-last mile challenge—auto companies have also jumped in by offering "mobility services." And it's more profitable than selling cars!

December 27, 2016 - The New York Times

Uber's Self-Driving Cars Leave Hometown for Warmer, and Friendlier Climates

California's loss is Arizona's gain. That's how Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey see's Uber's decision on Thursday to haul their fleet of self-driving Volvos from San Francisco to Arizona after the company refused to secure the necessary operating permits.

December 27, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Wanted: High-Speed Rail Operator for California

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has taken the first official step to find a train operator for the initial operating segment of the 800-mile project: connecting the Central Valley to the Silicon Valley, with estimated completion by 2024.

December 26, 2016 - Progressive Railroading

The Anaheim Streetcar Project Is Officially Off the Table

A new City Council has ushered in a new agenda for the city of Anaheim. Not on that agenda is a controversial proposal for a streetcar connecting Disneyland, the city's convention center, and the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center.

December 24, 2016 - The Orange County Register

405 Traffic

Benefits Harder to Recognize as Costs to Widen the I-405 Rise

Was the I-405 widening project worth it for Los Angeles? Depends on whom you ask.

December 22, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Second Home

Bill Would End Tax Breaks for Second Homes in California

AB 71, originating from the California Assembly, would raise funding for low-income housing construction by ending an existing tax break for second homes.

December 21, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

California

California's Birth Rate Drops to Lowest in Recorded History

Fewer babies are being born in the nation's most populous state, now estimated at 39.4 million residents, according to new data by the California Department of Finance. The state grew by .75 percent, adding 295,000 people in the year ending July 1.

December 21, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Uber Hemorrhaging Money in 2016

The future of transportation network companies is far from settled. While influential in the popular consciousness, companies like Uber haven't figured out how to make money.

December 21, 2016 - Bloomberg Technology

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.