California

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

It's A Wonderful Life

The Most Popular Planetizen Posts of 2014

We've been collecting data on the posts you made the most popular for the year 2014.

December 18, 2014 - James Brasuell

Study: 'It's hard to beat gasoline' on Air Quality

A University of Minnesota study published in PNAS looks at alternatives including ethanol and electricity and determined that "it's hard to beat gasoline." Even electric vehicles can do better or worse depending on how utilities source electricity.

December 17, 2014 - AP via ABC News

CEQA and High-Speed Rail Foes Dealt Setback by Federal Board

Faced with seven CEQA lawsuits from rail opponents threatening to delay the high-speed rail project, the California High-Speed Rail Authority sought preemption of the California environmental law. The Surface Transportation Board agreed.

December 17, 2014 - The Fresno Bee

$188 Million ARTIC Transit Hub Opens in Anaheim

The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center opened earlier in December. Although planners expect 10,000 daily boardings at the hub, the big payoff will come if a high speed rail and a streetcar find their way to the station.

December 15, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Study: Passenger Vehicle Fleet is Older and More Polluting

Arguably just as important than the sales of new vehicles, e.g., hybrids and EVs, are the consequences of not buying new cars.

December 14, 2014 - Scientific American

California's Moderate Population Growth: The New Normal

New demographic data released Dec. 11 by the state Department of Finance shows the state grew by 335,000 people to 38.5 million, nearly one percent, despite a declining birth rate. While the most in six years, the growth rate has slowed overall.

December 13, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

Los Angeles Releases Large-Scale Earthquake Preparedness Plan

Los Angeles has been hard at work, under the leadership of Dr. Lucy Jones, to prepare for the ever-present threat of earthquakes. The Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti released the plan, called "Resilience by Design," earlier this week.

December 12, 2014 - The Architect's Newspaper

Tough Week for Uber on the West Coast—Three Cities File Injunctions

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Portland all filed suit against Uber recently hoping to bring the transportation network company in conformity with public safety regulations.

December 12, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

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.

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.