California
Architectural Renderings Depict Only the 'Wired and Young'
John King shares his thoughts on modern renderings. In too many drawings a hipster cult of youth is normalized, and it threatens to paint regular folks and true nonconformists out of the picture.
Fresno 'Believes' in Downtown Revitalization
Exploring an effort to revitalize the downtown of the city of Fresno—an agricultural town in the Central Valley of California.
Development Approval Process Hits a New Low in Los Angeles
As a particularly sad example of the morass of confusion and litigation that defines the development and planning process in California cities, renters have been ordered to vacate a newly constructed residential building in Hollywood.
North Carolina Struggles to Prevent Deep Gas Tax Cut
The News & Observer's "road worrier" (not a typo!), Bruce Siceloff, provides ongoing coverage of the sad saga of North Carolina's gas tax, set to be adjusted downwards by statute.
In Case You're Confused by the Two San Diego Climate Lawsuits
These are two similar lawsuits by environmental groups, one aimed at San Diego County, the other at the San Diego MPO, both based on CEQA and one also on SB 375. Enviros won both of them but only one will be heard by the California Supreme Court.
An App for California State Parks
California's Department of Parks and Recreation is getting into the app business. It is hoped that CaliParks will help improve access to the state's parks for young people and minorities.
Fighting Food Deserts in Los Angeles
Public health analysts and justice activists are tackling food deserts in a state known for its agricultural output. Low-income neighborhoods of color are the hardest hit by a lack of grocery options.
Transforming Downtown San Diego's Grid for Biking and Walking
By virtue of super small blocks, San Diego's downtown has more space dedicated to cars than most cities. That's about to change. San Diego urban design activist Bill Keller explains how they’ll do it.
Study: South Los Angeles Fast Food Ban Didn't Cut the Fat
A fast food ban enacted in 2008 in an effort to curb obesity, diabetes, and other chronic health issues failed to achieve its well-intentioned goals, according to a new study by the RAND Corporation.
Where Los Angeles Equals San Francisco's Density
Though the Los Angeles region is very dense, significant barriers to transit-oriented planning remain. Based on this analysis, the lack of a central urban core shouldn't be one of them.
$6 Billion Master Planned Development Moving Forward in the East Bay
Concord, California is considering a trio of massive redevelopment proposals for the site of a former Navy weapons depot that could bring 12,000 homes and 6 million square feet of commercial development to the fringe of the East Bay Area.
Debating the Costs and Benefits of Airbnb's Short-Term Rentals
A labor group is taking on the impact of short-term rentals on the housing market in one of the most expensive cities in the country. The debate is contentious, with numbers flying both ways, and also critical for the economic health of cities.
Water Wars Follow the Race to Solve the Southwest's Drought
An op-ed in the New York Times provides a firsthand account of the growing concern over water in a state that has yet to set limits on its explosive growth.
If Rail Crossings Can't Be Grade Separated, Can They At Least Be Safer?
That's the question asked by legislation introduced after a Metro-North commuter train slammed into an SUV at a crossing in Valhalla, N.Y., killing six people. More than 200 people die annually in over 2,000 grade crossing crashes.
Proposal Would Make an Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone for Santa Clara County
The county of Santa Clara is exploring the possibility of establishing an Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone—a relatively new land use incentive enabled by recent statewide legislation.
Change of Venue for Denver's Transit CEO: Los Angeles
Phillip Washington will leave his role as CEO of the Denver Regional Transportation District to take the same position at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Where Have All the Oil Trains in California Gone?
While many California were protesting oil trains carrying the hazardous Bakken crude, a funny thing happened—they stopped coming. While protests may have delayed the construction of new oil terminals, economics is at the root of the slowdown.
How Los Angeles Will Update its 1946 Zoning Code
Tom Rothmann explains how and why Los Angeles is updating antiquated language governing land use in the city.
From the Golden Gate Bridge: How Many Bikers Is Too Many Bikers?
A city councilmember in Sausalito in the North San Francisco Bay Area is ready to limit the number of tourists riding rental bikes into her city from across the Golden Gate Bridge.
SB 32 to Pick Up Where AB 32 Leaves Off
California's landmark climate legislation, AB 32, ends in five years; i.e., the target year for emissions reduction is 2020, after which there will be no comparable legislation targeting a future year. SB 32 sets emission reduction goals for 2050.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
