California

Surveying California's Recent Environmental Accomplishments

Jon Christensen and Mark Gold survey the environmental accomplishments of the Los Angeles region as well as the state of California over the course of the past year.

December 31, 2014 - LA Observed

Want an Electric Vehicle but Live in an Apartment?

Two companies have teamed up to provide solar-powered, electric vehicle charging with battery storage in 68 apartment buildings in San Francisco. They will rent spaces for charging by tenants. Roofs will also be rented and covered with solar panels.

December 31, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

The Da Vinci vs. Slow-Baked Cities

Josh Stephens writes in CP&DR that the recently burned Da Vinci apartment complex will have successors that also turn their backs on surrounding streets—but cities can and should do the difficult, slow work of fostering more inclusive design.

December 30, 2014 - California Planning & Development Report

Belden Place

Four Cities Making the Most of Alley Spaces

Urbanful examines four cities making the most of scare public spaces by reactivating their alleys with programming and pedestrian-friendly designs.

December 30, 2014 - Urbanful

Op-Ed: Time for the Bay Area to Embrace Regional Planning

An op-ed by the San Francisco Chronicle's editorial board takes cues from London's regional transportation planning efforts in an argument supporting regional planning for the San Francisco-San Jose Bay Area.

December 29, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

San Fernando Valley Playing Catch Up in the Los Angeles Transit Boom

Dakota Smith reports that the Los Angeles transit renaissance is leaving the political leadership in the San Fernando Valley feeling left behind.

December 29, 2014 - Los Angeles Daily News

Polk Street Bikes

Is America's Best Bike Lane Overrated?

The SF Examiner reports on America's top-rated bike lane, as rated by People for Bikes. The protected contraflow lane runs from Market Street to Grove Street, all of two blocks; only one block in opposite direction is separated

December 27, 2014 - San Francisco Examiner

Critical Support for New NBA Arena Proposal in San Francisco

After controversy derailed an earlier plan by the Golden State Warriors to build a new arena at Piers 30-32 along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, a new plan at a new location has made progress toward completion.

December 26, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

Mapping America's Toy Manufacturing

All those toys under the Christmas tree came from somewhere.

December 25, 2014 - The Washington Post

Los Angeles Lacking Data to Support Bike Infrastructure Investments

Los Angeles has added hundreds of miles of bike routes in recent years, but the local paper of record identifies a lack of data as contributing to ongoing discord from drivers who feel like they're being pinched by bike lanes.

December 24, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Downtown Cincinnati

The Role of Stadiums in Urban Revitalization

Los Angeles Dodger Senior Vice President of Planning and Development Janet Marie Smith reflects on her efforts to breathe new life into downtowns through sports stadiums.

December 23, 2014 - The Planning Report

Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Plannerd in Your Life

For those searching for gifts for the "plannerds" in their life, Los Angeles County planner Clement Lau comes through with some ideas sure to bring good tidings.

December 22, 2014 - UrbDeZine

Busy Crossing Street

Big Cities Make Pedestrian Safety a Priority

New data released Dec. 19 by NHTSA shows increased safety for those traveling by car, but pedestrian fatalities are 15% higher than in 2009. Plans by San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago to increase ped safety are described by the WSJ.

December 22, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

San Francisco Chronicle Takes a Deep Look at Gentrification in the Mission

A feature series by the San Francisco Chronicle explores the challenges of gentrification at what some might consider ground zero of gentrification in the San Francisco Bay Area—the Mission.

December 22, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

$4 Billion Plan for Intermodal Connections to LAX Moves Forward

Southern California is in the process of undoing the decades of planning that has left LAX isolated and inaccessible except through an ocean of congestion and frustration. Plans to connect the airport to the region recently gained critical approval.

December 22, 2014 - Curbed LA

Washington Governor Proposes Cap-and-Trade to Fund Highways

After a failed attempt to increase the fuel tax, itself a form of carbon tax on gas and diesel sales, Gov. Jay Inslee seeks to use revenue from carbon permits purchased by stationary sources in a new cap-and-trade program to pay for transportation.

December 21, 2014 - The Seattle Times

A Housing Affordability Report Card for the Bay Area

SPUR didn't give a grade to the Bay Area on housing affordability in its most recent issue of The Urbanist, but it does provide a thorough overview of the current and ongoing efforts to make housing more affordable in the region.

December 20, 2014 - The Urbanist

U.S.-Mexico Agreement Returns Water to the Colorado River Delta

National Geographic details the effects of the "Minute 319" agreement that will return water to the Colorado River Delta.

December 19, 2014 - National Geographic

New Mayor, New Agenda for the Port City of Long Beach

Recently elected Mayor of Long Beach Robert Garcia, 37 years old, outlines his priorities: education, climate change, and economic development.

December 19, 2014 - The Planning Report

Significant Jump in California Driving

Mirroring a previously reported increase in gasoline consumption in California, the vehicle miles traveled increase over last year is the largest in a decade. The reasons are the same: cheaper gas and an improved economy with more people working.

December 19, 2014 - The Sacramento Bee

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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.