California

Five State Gas Tax Changes Tomorrow

On July 1, two states will increase gas taxes, one will decrease its tax, and two will be adjusted downwards per state legislation, according to Carl Davis, research director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP).

June 30, 2016 - Tax Justice Blog

U.S. Bank Tower

'Bouncy-House Urbanism' Reaches New Heights

When a glass slide installed 1,000 feet up the tallest skyscraper on the West Coast is more than it appears.

June 29, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Lost Our Home

California Legislature Considering $2 Billion for Homeless Housing

A bill already halfway through the California Legislature, with support from the governor, would spend $2 billion to build permanent housing for mentally ill homeless people.

June 29, 2016 - Associated Press via SCPR

Marilyn Monroe Palm Springs

Op-Ed Blames Planned Development Districts for Development in Palm Springs

A local writer argues that development is putting the unique character of Palm Springs in peril by taking advantage of the city's Planned Development Districts.

June 28, 2016 - The Desert Sun

Santa Monica Route 66

Another Anti-Development Measure to Face Voters in Southern California

This time, the scene of the anti-development ire is Santa Monica, where local advocates have qualified for the November ballot on initiative requiring a vote for any project building beyond the zoning code.

June 27, 2016 - Santa Monica Next

Miami Brightline Construction

Meet the New Generation of Trains Built for Florida's Brightline

Wired takes a tour of a Siemens factory in California tasked with the task of building the rolling stock for the forthcoming, privately-funded Brightline train line in Florida.

June 27, 2016 - Wired

Ride-Hailing Services for Women, By Women

A new kind of transportation network company is offering peace of mind for female travelers.

June 27, 2016 - CBS Los Angeles

LAX Airport

Multimodal Transit Hub Planned for LAX

A light-rail link to the Los Angeles International Airport would accommodate bikes and buses, and could be here by 2021.

June 27, 2016 - Urbanize LA

Housing Initiatives to Appear on Northern and Southern California Ballots in November

Last week the Los Angeles City Council and Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved housing initiatives. "Build Better LA" requires large developments to have affordable units. Silicon Valley voters will vote on a $950 million housing bond.

June 26, 2016 - Planetizen

Disneyland Hotel

Disneyland Wants a $200 Million Tax Break for a New Hotel

Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait says there is no legitimate reason to give Disney the tax break.

June 26, 2016 - Voice of Orange County

Caltrain

Legislation Advanced to Release State Funding for Caltrain Electrification

As a result of a critical lawsuit that California high-speed rail opponents lost last March, a bill to release $1.1 billion in 2008 bond funds has been advanced to fund high-speed rail 'bookend' projects, particularly Caltrain electrification.

June 26, 2016 - Associated Press

Los Angeles Metro

Who Does Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s New Funding Plan Leave Out?

If the Metro Board passes the proposed $40 billion expenditure plan, millions of Los Angeles residents will still not have access to good public transit for decades.

June 25, 2016 - The Planning Report

Garbage

Landlords Who Evicted Tenants to Make Space for Airbnb Get Their Day in Court

More than 20,000 rent-controlled units have left the market in Los Angeles since 2001—a problem exacerbated by options for short-term rentals. Now the City Attorney's Office is fighting back.

June 24, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Lucas Museum Will Have to Find a City Far, Far Away From Chicago

The controversy over whether to located the Lucas Museum Site at a lakefront property in Chicago is no longer ongoing.

June 24, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

Bakersfield and Fresno Sign

California Road Charge Pilot Launches July 1; Gas Tax Increase Still Needed

Two notable transportation developments occur in California on July 1. First, a pilot road charge program begins—5,000 motorists will be charged by the mile driven. Second, the gas tax drops by 2.2 cents. An analysis by ITEP looks at both.

June 24, 2016 - Tax Justice Blog

Los Angeles Arts District

Building a Thriving Economy in Downtown L.A.’s Historic Fashion District

As Downtown L.A. sees an impressive renaissance, learn how the Fashion District in L.A. spurred growth through piloting the first-ever "Business Improvement District" program.

June 24, 2016 - The Planning Report

Homeless Encampment

Voters to Decide Future of San Francisco Homeless Tent Encampments

Unable to pass the measure themselves, four San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a ballot measure for November that would let voters decide on the removal of tent encampments in the city providing that housing is offered.

June 23, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Fire

Orange County Fire Chief on Southern California's Year-Round Fire Season

California has suffered at least 700 wildfires since the beginning of 2016, and that number is only expected to rise this summer. Orange County Fire Chief Jeff Bowman explains what California must do to combat unprecedented risks.

June 23, 2016 - The Planning Report

Diablo Canyon Nuclear

The Only Remaining Nuclear Power Plant in California Will Close

In a surprise announcement by Pacific Gas and Electric Company on Tuesday, it was learned that California's only remaining nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon in San Luis Obispo County along California's central coast, will close in nine years.

June 23, 2016 - The (San Luis Obispo) Tribune

Lake Powell

Is Glen Canyon Dam Obsolete?

As climate changes in the Rockies and the southwest, Lake Powell is gradually shrinking. The debate over Glen Canyon Dam is on again, and this time environmentalists aren't the only ones against it.

June 23, 2016 - Pacific Standard

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.