California
New Los Angeles Mayoral Directive on Water Conservation
In an effort to conserve water and prevent the expensive water importation in the future, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti recently published a new directive for city-wide water conservation.
New Study Finds California’s Local Streets and Roads In Perpetual Disrepair
The biennial California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment survey found a $78.3 billion funding shortfall over the next 10 years.
Is Racism Behind the Density Debate in San Diego?
A high profile environmental attorney in San Diego called out neighborhood opposition to development that would add density for "selfishness and closet racism."
Struggling Toll Roads Make for Good Investments
In another example of a struggling toll road attracting no shortage of investors, the poor revenue performance of the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency in Orange County, California has not dissuaded investors, as the returns are high.
An Outsider’s Perspective On Bicycling In Los Angeles
Stephen Corwin describes a Vancouverite’s experience cycling throughout Los Angeles.
Plans for a $35 Million Rail-to-Trail Conversion in South Los Angeles
A blighted abandoned rail corridor through South Los Angeles received funding to plan a rail to trail conversion. Can residents compel officials to complete the sorely needed open space facility?
Dispute Over Bike Fatality Report
The Governors Highway Safety Association released a report titled Bicyclist Safety showing a surge in bike fatalities since 2010. The report provoked widespread media coverage and, also, strongly critical reactions.
Fighting Homelessness by Closing a Commuter Rail Station
The high desert city of Lancaster in northern Los Angeles County has an innovative plan to reduce its homeless population: Close its Metrolink station, the last stop on the Antelope Valley line, that serves 400 commuters daily.
How Cities are Overcoming Federal Roadblocks for Transportation Improvements
Tanya Snyder provides a thorough survey of the talking points of five U.S. mayors from a recent Washington Post forum on transportation.
3.3 Million Electric Cars Expected by 2025
Electric cars are expected to play a key role in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the country's transportation system. Recent trends around the country indicate increasing adoption of the technology.
Bike, Pedestrian Toll on Golden Gate Bridge Survives First Vote
The concept of tolling sidewalk access to the Golden Gate Bridge squeaked by on a 10-9 vote on Oct. 24. The GGB Transportation and Highway District wants to consider the toll as a potential contributor to reducing the $33 million, five-year deficit.
Special Delivery: U.S. Postal Service and Groceries
The Postal Regulatory Commission approved of a two-year trial allowing the United States Postal Service to deliver groceries to homes in the morning.
Op-Ed: Reintroduce California's Historic Restoration Tax Credit
Despite a veto by Governor Jerry Brown, California’s Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins should keep trying to pass legislation to encourage preservation, says Bay area preservation architect Jerri Holan.
Tech-Buses Driving South into Los Angeles
In a new coming-of-age sign for the technology industry in Los Angeles, the San Francisco based start-up RidePal unveiled its first private shuttle bus partnership in LA this week.
Los Angeles Embraces Urban Agriculture
A motion passed earlier this month calls for landowners to receive tax breaks for leasing vacant property for agriculture and farming.
San Francisco Approves Airbnb-Enabling Regulation Despite High Profile Opposition
None other than U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, former mayor and native of San Francisco, penned an op-ed opposing a recent action by the San Francisco County Board of Supervisors to legalize short-term stays in private homes.
$5.4 Billion Freeway Plan Would Tunnel Under South Pasadena
One of Southern California's most controversial and (some would say) critical projects is on the radar again—the 710 extension through South Pasadena. Transportation officials are working on a tunnel plan, expected for public comment in February.
Is It OK to Charge Pedestrians and Bicyclists to Cross Toll Bridges?
The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District might charge pedestrians and cyclists using the bridge in a plan to keep the district, which also runs buses and ferries between San Francisco and Marin and Sonoma counties, solvent.
The Incredible Climate Mitigation Potential of Compost
Research has shown that the world's largest land use, grazing, holds enormous potential when linked with composting, to dramatically reduce the carbon content of the atmosphere through sequestration while concurrently restoring degraded rangeland.
Eight Ways Planners Can Rest and Rejuvenate
Few people escape on-the-job stress, but LA County Planner Clement Lau has some tips for his cohorts designed to help them recover from the pressures of work.
Pagination
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.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association