California
Design to Support the Homeless
How might planners advance the dialogue with politicians and citizens for design that supports the 633,782 homeless people in the US? Howard Blackson offers some insights for San Diego, the 3rd largest population of homeless among US cities.
Under Pressure, EPA Tightens Soot Standard
In what could be viewed as a classic environmentalist vs. business showdown, the EPA tightened by 20% the annual standard for soot over the objection of industry and some in Congress who fear it will dampen economic growth.
BIDs: Big Brother or Benevolent Boosters?
Should a business improvement district have an expiration date? That's the question some property owners in downtown Los Angeles are beginning to ask as they chafe at the "aggressive cleaning up" and additional tax assessments that fund them.
With Innovative Plan, L.A. Says Adios to Parking Requirements
Yesterday, the Los Angeles City Planning Commission approved a landmark specific plan that is notable as much for what it doesn't include as what it does.
Toll Roads: Build It and They May Not Come
Two southern CA toll roads are so severely underperforming that the state treasurer is investigating whether the bondholders can be paid their interest. The San Joaquin Hills toll road's bonds are rated at junk status. Widening I-5 & 405 didn't help.
Connected Commuters Are Happy Commuters
A new study from the New Cities Foundation suggests that those of us who use transit apps such as Waze and Roadify have shorter and more pleasant commutes.
A First: Minority Vote Proportionate to Population in CA
America is becoming less white and more diverse - but that diversity has not been reflected in the ballot place, until now - at least in California. Historically, voters were whiter and older than the actual population.
Public Transit Use Continues to Rise
The American Public Transportation Association has released a new report showing that more people nationwide are taking buses and trains. Amid high has prices, young students and struggling families are being credited with the jump.
Bodybuilding Moves to the Playground
Haya El Nasser reports on the latest trend in park design: free public 'fitness parks' that feature exercise equipment "built to withstand the rigor of weather vandalism."
Parking App Heads to the Suburbs
Does your town have sensors embedded in the pavement of parking stalls that signal when one becomes available? D.C. and N.Y.C. do - and now Streetline's parking app will allow motorists in San Mateo, pop. 97K and San Carlos, pop. 28K to find parking.
San Diego's Transit Future Looking Brighter
With two transit-friendly figures elected to the highest posts in San Diego's government and transit advocates having scored a major court victory in upending the region's transportation plan, the city's transit future is looking bright.
Preeminent Climate Scientist Blasts Cap & Trade
Dr. James Hansen was awarded the prestigious Stephen H. Schneider climate award at the Commonwealth Club in S.F. on Dec. 4 and chose to trash CA's landmark cap-and-trade program, preferring a 'simple, clean carbon tax'. Gov. Brown was attending.
Don't Mess With CEQA in San Francisco!
Although the landmark but now controversial environmental law, the CA Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is state law, it is implemented by the 'lead agency' of a project which can be a city. S.F. Supervisor Scott Wiener hopes to reform that process.
California's Alternative Energy Strategy, or Lack Thereof, Heads for a Reckoning
California has set a deadline of 2020 to rely less on fossil fuels and more on alternative energy, but a report finds this strategy could end up emptying ratepayers' pockets and damaging the state's environmental resources, reports Julie Cart.
Should L.A. Merge Its Planning and Building & Safety Departments?
At a recent AIA breakfast brainstorm, Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson asked attendees to weigh in on a controversial proposal to merge the Department of Building and Safety with the city's Planning Department in order to cut costs.
Re-imagining the Fiscal Architecture of Our Cities
For Michael A. Pagano, local municipalities went awry in designing fiscal systems during the 20th century by fabricating what he refers to as “a crazy quilt of local revenue.” He proposes some possibilities for getting cities back on track.
CA Dems Whittle Away at Landmark Property Tax Cap
For the first time since 1933, one party has 'supermajority' (greater than 2/3) control of CA's assembly and senate, and the governor's seat, except this time it's the Democrats. Legislators have their eyes on loosening the Proposition 13 leash.
San Diego's 'Visionary' Transportation Plan Tossed By Judge
The first regional plan passed under landmark SB 375 requiring MPOs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has failed a key test. Environmental plaintiffs sued because transit investments were in the future. They won, forcing SANDAG to redo their plan.
'Block-Killing Blight' Remains a Stubborn Presence in Downtown L.A.
Despite the progress downtown L.A. has made over the last decade in becoming a vibrant, day-night, mixed-use community, "block-killing blight" remains a stubborn presence in the area's landscape. Ryan Vaillancourt calls out the worst offenders.
Millennials: They Came, They Saw... They Stayed?
According to Haya El Nasser, cities across America have succeeded in attracting young professionals for over a decade. “They came, they played, they stayed,” she writes. But, she asks, will these Millennials stick around as they age and have kids?
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
