California
Santa Monica Proposing Balanced Approach With Downtown Plan
After residents soundly defeated the anti-growth Measure LV in November, city officials are still trying to propose a plan that addresses the traffic and livability concerns that led to the initiative being placed on the ballot.
Taller, Denser, but More Affordable Housing Coming to San Francisco
Following a similar ordinance signed into law by Mayor Ed Lee last July that dealt with developments that are 100 percent affordable, the new housing density ordinance apples to market-rate developments that have 30 percent affordability.
Why Great Cities Need Great Universities
Universities do more than teach classes; they can help transform economies and elevate cities to greatness. UC San Diego is banking on it.
Fracking Opponents Charge Gov. Jerry Brown with Environmental Hypocrisy
The California governor, known for his outspoken climate advocacy, signed the nation's toughest fracking regulation bill in 2013. His response to those who want to ban fracking is that priority must be on reducing oil consumption.
U2 Concert Costs Transit Agency $61K
The Bay Area agency had to extend service into the night hours when the show ran overtime.
How to Improve an Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance
Pasadena is revising its zoning regulations to accommodate more accessory dwelling units. This open letter to the city's Planning Commission includes sound suggestions, applicable everywhere.
L.A. Metro Board Removes Support for Controversial 710 Freeway Tunnel Plan
The saga of the 710 Freeway will continue, as it has for decades. Now, however, a proposal to build a 6.3-mile tunnel from El Sereno to Pasadena, has lost key support from the regional transportation agency.
A 'Brand New, Improved' Cap-and-Trade System for California
A California state senator has proposed to overhaul California’s cap-and-trade system explains the changes he wants to see.
California Invented 'Botts' Dots' Raised Pavement Markers—Now it's Phasing Them Out
A staple of the California driving experience will soon be a thing of the past.
California Delta Tunnels Don't Stand Up to Federal Analysis
Federal agencies think the proposed Bay Delta tunnels are still too dangerous for endangered species.
Steep Climb to Raising Louisiana's Gas Tax
A bill to hike Louisiana's gas tax by 17 cents per gallon has advanced, but the state has a "California problem": Tax increases must pass by a two-thirds majority.
Partnerships Drove Napa Flood Control Project
The Napa River's Oxbow bypass doubles as public park space and an outlet when the river floods. The project brought together local environmentalists and the business community.
San Diego Mayor: Recycled Wastewater Program Will Be a Model
Mayor Kevin Faulconer sees San Diego's Pure Water Program as proof of concept for other cities with uncertain water supplies. By 2035, the initiative aims to derive one-third of the city's supply from recycled wastewater.
A Scathing Critique of Elon Musk's Big Tunneling Idea
Not all ideas are worth attention. What does the fact that ideas like Elon Musk's The Boring Company get so much attention say about the quality of civic discourse, or the potential for planning to improve the built environment?
A First Look at Apple's New Corporate Headquarters
Apple employees began moving into the company's new headquarters in Cupertino, California in April. The moving process culminates a development process that launched in 2008 under the helm of Steve Jobs.
A Change of Heart by Secretary Chao on California's Oldest Commuter Rail Line
A week ago, Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao indicated she would not sign-off on the $647 million federal grant for the $2 billion Caltrain electrification project. On Monday, she changed her mind.
Northeast is Next Market for Fuel Cell Vehicles
The only state where fuel cell electric vehicles can be leased is California where 30 hydrogen refueling stations exist now, with 100 planned to be in operation by 2020. Almost no public refueling stations exist elsewhere, but that's about to change.
YIMBYs Attacked from the (Far) Left
Pro-housing activists in San Francisco are blamed for displacement of vulnerable communities because they support luxury housing developments. A report from the independent progressive website, Truthout, ties YIMBYs to the "alt-right."
L.A. Metro Announces Big Bus System Redo
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) announced plans last week to undertake a review of the agency's massive bus system. The redesign will hope to address declining ridership.
Sunday Fun: Visualizing the Vibrations of Five Miles of Fiber Optic Cable
This new visualization helps us see the unseen: the underground fiber optic cables that lie beneath campus at Stanford University in California.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
