California

Tech Shuttle

Better to Appease Irate Neighbors Than Decrease Car Commuting

A San Francisco Chronicle editorial supports the decision by the Municipal Transportation Agency to 'bow' to complaints from residents about the large tech buses by reducing their stops in their neighborhoods even if it means increasing car trips.

July 14, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Speed Limit

Changing This Law Could Reduce Traffic Deaths

In California and much of the rest of the country, says Andrew Said, the laws governing speed limits and enforcement are dangerously outdated, especially where pedestrians and cyclists are concerned. What could we change?

July 14, 2016 - Streetsblog LA

Google Headquarters

Google, LinkedIn Complete 'Blockbuster' Land Swap

Big development news for two of the biggest names in the Silicon Valley.

July 12, 2016 - Silicon Valley Business Journal

Disneyland

Anaheim—Home to Disneyland—Bans All Short-Term Rentals

Reports about the decision by the Anaheim City Council to ban all short-term rentals, through companies like Airbnb or VRBO, described it as a victory for homeowners.

July 12, 2016 - CBS Los Angeles

Google Bus

Facebook: Solo Commutes Increasing After Loss of Tech Shuttle Stops

Public pressure led the city of San Francisco to cut and relocate tech shuttle stops. Now the cities at the other end of the commute might be dealing with the consequences of those decisions.

July 11, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Meet the Roving Robot Parking Attendant

They're not as cute as R2D2, but they have better intentions than a Cylon. Welcome our new robot parking attendants.

July 11, 2016 - Fusion

Greatest Barrier to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in California: Gas Prices

Gas prices are down and sales are up, and greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, the largest source of the state's emissions, are up, even though overall they dipped. In addition to increased driving, sales of EVs and hybrids dropped.

July 11, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Hayward Fault

When ADA Compliance Runs Afoul of Seismology

Seismologists were recently upset by the loss of a curb at the corner of two streets in Hayward, California that displayed the power of the Hayward Fault. The city had repaired the curb to provide ADA access to the sidewalk and street.

July 10, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

East Palo Alto

Water Draws the Line Between the Haves and Have-Nots in the South Bay Area

Development proposals in one of the least affluent communities in the Silicon Valley have repeatedly been scuttled due to a lack of water. Wealthier communities have more than enough.

July 9, 2016 - Palo Alto Weekly

Fort McMurray Fire

Thank Climate Change and Sprawl for Worsening Wildfires

Along with climate conditions, urban sprawl is intensifying wildfires and increasing the damage they do.

July 8, 2016 - Undark

empty parking lot of Eastvale, California's best buy and kohl's, mountains in background

Counting the Indicators of a Deflating California Real Estate Bubble

Canceled projects, price discounts, and increased incentives to buyers are already showing up in real estate developments in key U.S. regions, writes estate and affordable housing adviser Michael P. Russell. He reviews some key indicators.

July 7, 2016 - UrbDeZine

San Francisco Sprawl

The Real Reasons Affordable Housing Isn't Being Built in California

The policy tools used to address our nation's housing shortfall often seem to worsen the problem. But this is because they ignore the underlying infrastructure and financing to support growth.

July 7, 2016 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

California Initiative to Limit the Size of Revenue Bonds Qualifies for Ballot

A California initiative has been likened to the landmark Proposition 13 for how it would affect the budget and major projects proposed in California, including the $64 billion high-speed rail project and $17 billion Delta water tunnels.

July 6, 2016 - San Jose Mercury News

Los Angeles Smog

The Disconnect Over Displacement in Los Angeles

A mixed-use development proposal in South L.A. highlights a blind spot of progressive urbanism—the gap between what checks all the boxes and what low-income communities really need.

July 6, 2016 - LA Streetsblog

The Unintended Consequences Lurking in Gov. Brown's Affordable Housing Proposal

California Governor Brown's proposal to streamline affordable housing may cause more problems than it solves, both for affordable housing and community planning, argues Murtaza Baxamusa who teaches planning at USC and develops affordable housing.

July 6, 2016 - UrbDeZine

Metro Subway Los Angeles

The Vision for a $120 Billion Public Transportation Revolution in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Metro's new Chief of Planning Therese McMillan joins the agency at a pivotal moment, as county voters will decide in November whether to approve a new, evergreen sales tax to fund future Metro public transportation expansion.

July 6, 2016 - The Planning Report

Roman Aqueduct

The Place of Water in Urban Design: An International Perspective

How cities around the world have approached thinking about how water management fits in to urban planning.

July 5, 2016 - The Planning Report

Raleigh Park

The Connection Between Green Space and Better Behaved Kids

Researchers have made a positive link between increased greenery in a child's neighborhoods and a reduction in aggressive behavior.

July 5, 2016 - Pacific Standard

Los Angeles Homeless

Los Angeles Voters to Consider $1.2 Billion Property Tax Bond for Homeless Housing

Los Angeles voters will be asked to approve a new property tax on residential and commercial properties to pay for a $1.2 billion to improve the city's worsening homelessness problem.

July 4, 2016 - Los Angeles Daily News

Port of Oakland

Environmental Justice Wins With Coal Ban in Oakland

The City Council in Oakland, California took its first, substantive steps toward banning the handling and storage of coal in the city.

July 3, 2016 - NBC Bay Area

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.