California
Los Angeles' CAO Shows How Trade-Offs Drive City Budgeting
Yesterday marked the release of the city of Los Angeles Mayor’s Budget for FY 2015-2016, and Chief Administrative Officer Miguel Santana delves into the details.
Policy Dos and Don'ts from 'Parking Guru' Donald Shoup
Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning Donald Shoup has caused a revolution in the field of parking economics over his four decades at UCLA.
10-Cent Gas Tax Increase Proposed for Road Maintenance in California
SB 16 would also increase the diesel tax (which hasn't been raised in over two decades) by 12-cents, charge electric vehicles a flat $100 annual fee, and increase registration and license fees.
San Francisco Seeks Lighter Side of Market Street
San Francisco recently hosted a series of events to make the city's backbone, Market Street, a little more fun. It's the latest of many efforts to revitalize a street that has been problematic even as the rest of the city has boomed.
'50 Parks' Program Improves Los Angeles' Parks Disparity
Los Angeles is known for a few magnificent parks—but they are hard to reach and concentrated in affluent areas. The 50 Parks program, however, is delivering on its titular promise.
The Case for Desalination: Option of Last Resort for Some California Cities
In this radio report on the use of the expensive, controversial strategy of desalination to meet California's water needs in an epic drought, KQED's science reporter speaks with the mayor of Carmel, a V.P. of Poseidon Water, and an environmentalist.
Zoning Code Update Sparks Vocal Opposition in Santa Monica
The liberal, affluent enclave of Santa Monica is infamous for its controversies over growth policy. A proposed Zoning Ordinance Update (ZOU), currently under consideration by the City Council, has struck a nerve.
Caltrans Sets Ambitious Targets for Alternative Transportation
Following a string of developments in 2014 pushing the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) toward more multi-modal planning, a new Strategic Management Plan lays out ambitious goals for the increased use of alternative modes.
Ontario to Join Quebec in Cap-and-Trade Program
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne made a strong case for taking decisive climate change action when she signed an historic agreement to join the Quebec program that trades carbon with California.
Sacramento Streetcar Funding Reaches Key Goal
Imagine taking a streetcar across Sacramento's iconic Tower Bridge for a three mile trip. Backers are en route to securing matching local funding for the project. However, local voters will have the final say in a June 2 Mello-Roos special election.
The New Bike Map of Los Angeles
A city known for its love of the automobile has been building out its bike network in recent years. The question remains: Is it enough?
Sacramento Legalizes Urban Agriculture and Micro Farms
Located in California's fertile Central Valley, Sacramento is ideally situated to integrate local farming into its urban fabric.
More Improvements Coming for Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco
The street that benefitted by one of the most high-profile and successful freeway removals in the country is due for another makeover.
Study Examines the Importance of Planning by States and Nation-States
With so much focus on local planning in recent years, what opportunities are there for planning at the state and nation-state level? A new study by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy examines case studies from the United States and Europe.
Ambitious Energy-Efficiency Bill Moving Forward in California
A committee passed a bill written to meet Gov. Jerry Brown's 2030 environmental goals: Reduce oil consumption by 50 percent, require renewables to supply 50 percent of electricity generation, and double energy efficiency in existing buildings.
Businesses Want Vermont to Adopt Nation's First Carbon Tax
Vermont's legislature will take up the carbon tax proposal this week. The tax is construed as largely revenue neutral, i.e., offset by tax decreases and credits, and apply to heating and transportation fuels. Gov. Peter Shumlin has doubts.
Farewell to the Trusty Map Book
From the years roughly spanning the invention of the automobile to the invention of the smartphone, every driver in Los Angeles traveled with a Thomas Bros. map book. Those days are gone, but nostalgia for physical maps remains.
An Inside Perspective on Los Angeles' New Sustainable City Plan
Mark Gold, who helped craft Los Angeles' 20-year plan for water, energy, waste, resilience, and environmental justice, gives a breakdown of the document in light of the county's current failings.
Bike Share on San Francisco Peninsula in Jeopardy
Palo Alto may be one of America's most bike-friendly small cities, but when it comes to bikeshare, it's been a flop. It's not alone—ridership has been low in Mountain View and Redwood City as well.
Management, Not Technology, Will Solve California's Drought
It should come as no surprise that Eduardo Porter, who writes the Economic Scene column for The New York Times, is not enamoured by technological silver bullets like desalination as ways for California to survive it's four-year plus drought.
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
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
