California

An Urban Resurgence Driven by Tweets

The arrival of "one of the technology industry’s next big things" has been just the medicine needed to help turn around one of San Francisco's most stubbornly downtrodden areas.

November 5, 2013 - The New York Times

Oakland Pulls the Plug on Pedestrianization Project

A pilot project launched in August hoped to follow the successes of similar efforts in New York and San Francisco by turning Oakland's Latham Square into a pedestrian plaza. But after only six weeks, the area has been reopened to autos.

November 4, 2013 - SF.Streetsblog

This California Jail is Off the Grid

The Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, California isn’t your average prison complex. Its independent power system, or microgrid, sets it apart from its peers—and saves an estimated $100,000 a year.

November 3, 2013 - The Atlantic

TOD in L.A.'s Low-Income Communities Gets $100 Million Boost

With L.A.'s transit system expanding its footprint and growing its ridership, $100 million in development capital from a national philanthropic organization will help fund projects around stations in the city's underserved communities.

November 3, 2013 - The Architect's Newspaper Blog

At West Coast Climate Pact Signing, Brown Justifies His Support for Fracking

Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown has made climate protection a centerpiece of his policy agenda, yet he has also embraced the controversial technology of fracking to tap his state's huge shale oil reserves by signing SB 4. He explains his position here.

November 2, 2013 - San Jose Mercury - Science

L.A.'s Top Transportation Official to Resign Following Staff Criticism

Jaime De La Vega, the General Manager of L.A.'s Department of Transportation announced his resignation yesterday effective Dec. 1st. During his two years on the job, the department shifted away from an auto-centric focus to embrace alternative modes.

November 1, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

San Diego's Planning Department Brought Back from the Dead

This week, San Diego's City Council voted to resurrect the city's moribund Planning Department. A government-wide reorganization and energized leadership seem certain to ensure the department won't become a zombie.

October 31, 2013 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Brown vs. Brown on the Value of California's Initiative Process

That's Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown and former Calif. Assembly Speaker Willie Brown. In two unrelated L.A. Times articles, Gov. Brown credits the initiative system for making the state governable while former speaker Brown is opposed to direct democracy.

October 30, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

“There It Is — Take It”: The Story of the Los Angeles Aqueduct

The controversial construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct provided grist for famous books and movies, and conflicts that continue to this day. In a multimedia feature, Louis Sahagun explores the history of the project that helped birth modern L.A.

October 29, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Road Construction

Could a Little Black Box Transform Road Funding in the U.S.?

Southern California's powerful regional planning association is one of the many public agencies across the United States that sees the future of road funding in a new technology called a 'black box'.

October 29, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

L.A. Boulevard's Star Turn Has Neighbors Feeling Upstaged

As Abbot Kinney Boulevard becomes a mecca for the famous, the affluent, and international tourists, locals fear losing their place along "the Coolest Block in America".

October 28, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

San Diego Incubates Civic Innovation

One of Bob Filner's better ideas during his short time as mayor was to establish a Civic and Urban Initiatives program, a think tank to spur innovation and civic engagement. Thankfully this program will outlive Filner's disgraceful departure.

October 28, 2013 - Voice of San Diego

As Electric Vehicles "Lose Their Spark" State Governments Try to Give a Jump-Start

Kirk Kardashian examines the headwinds confronting the much-hyped, but poorly selling, E.V. industry in the aftermath of a disappointing year. Meanwhile California, New York and six other states have announced plans to help energize sales.

October 28, 2013 - The New Yorker

Port Truckers Strike over Clean-Air Regulations

Nonunion truckers at the Port of Oakland are on a work-stoppage over both work rules and compliance with a 2008 CARB diesel regulation requiring drayage trucks to be 2007 or newer. They want a year extension and more funding to assist in compliance.

October 27, 2013 - San Francisco Chronicle

Even for Slow-Growth Davis, Providing Land for Tech Companies Proves Too Enticing

Originally intended for permanent farmland and open space, Davis, CA will consider whether 391 acres along its eastern edge should instead be used for a business technology park, reports Mark Anderson.

October 25, 2013 - Sacramento Business Journal

With Vote by City Council, Sacramento to Become Healthier and More Bike Friendly

More bike corrals, bike sharing, and parklets are on the way to the Golden State's capital thanks to the city council's unanimous vote on Oct. 22 with support from cyclists, pedestrians, businesses, and the regional air district.

October 25, 2013 - The Sacramento Bee

L.A.'s Sprawling Valley Undertakes a Pedestrian-Friendly Retrofit

The San Fernando Valley is infamous for its seemingly endless expanse of flat, gridded single-family sprawl. But to accommodate growth and improve the quality of life, the Valley's distinct neighborhoods are looking to create a sense of place.

October 24, 2013 - Los Angeles Daily News

Specious Cost Estimates Could Scuttle L.A. Streetcar

Questions about specious cost estimates that were the basis of a ballot initiative to fund a new L.A. streetcar line were kept from voters, a Los Angeles Times investigation has revealed. The project may have to be delayed, shortened, or cancelled.

October 22, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Cal Supremes Decide Whether Inclusionary Housing is a Regulation or Exaction

In a decision that may have far-reaching impacts, California's Supreme Court ruled last week that the City of Palo Alto's inclusionary housing requirement is an exaction rather than a land use regulation, reports William Fulton.

October 22, 2013 - California Planning & Development Report

Innovative Energy-Storing Solar Power Plant Debuts in Arizona

Energy storage is acknowledged by many as a missing link of renewable energy, particularly by those quick to cite the intermittency of solar and wind power. A new solar thermal plant in Arizona stores energy in the form of heat for peak hour needs.

October 22, 2013 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

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

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An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.