California
Standing Up for Smart Growth in California
Josh Stephens, who is quickly becoming the SB 375 defender par excellence, responds to recent criticisms of California’s land use policies by Joel Kotkin in the pages of The Wall Street Journal.
Bringing Ways to Reduce Cities' Energy Expenses to Light
Often seen only when they're out, streetlights are a "secret energy drain" on city budgets. Nate Berg looks at some promising efforts to take a substantial bite out of municipal budgets through the replacement of old streetlight bulbs.
Urban Farms in Need of Farmers
Nate Berg explores how the excitement of establishing urban farms and gardens tends to evaporate when the hard work sets in. He profiles one entrepreneur who's trying to fill the gap in dedication and knowledge.
Hope, and a Dose of Fear, Surround L.A. Transit Expansion
The opening of L.A.'s newest rail line on Saturday, nearly two years behind schedule and almost $300 million over budget, brought hope, and a dash of fear, for the city's residents, reports Ari Bloomekatz.
Sowing the Seeds of a Local Food Boom
Ariel Schwartz reports on the efforts of a Silicon Valley-based "food incubator" that aims to bring a lean start-up approach to scaling up the local food movement.
Momentous Day for Transit in LA
Alissa Walker celebrates a historic day for rail transit in Los Angeles, as the $940 million, 8.6-mile first segment of the Expo Line opens to the public, leading the city "into a new transit era."
Dramatic Visions For LA's Transit Hub Unveiled, But to What End?
Sam Lubell reports on the speculative visions unveiled this week by six teams of international design talent competing to develop a Master Plan for LA's historic Union Station and its surrounding properties.
The Bright Side of California's Growth Slowdown
According to a just-released report from USC, CA's population, currently 37.5 million, will reach 50 million in the year 2046, a full 14 years later than the 2007 Dept. of Finance projection, due to the major growth slowdown shown in 2010 Census.
How Does Your Air Quality Rank?
Joanna Zelman reports on the good news and bad news contained in the American Lung Association's just released study, "State of the Air 2012." If you live in California, you may not want to read on.
Oakland, CA: Zero Waste by 2020?
Anna Leidreiter explores the ecological principles underlying Oakland's dramatically successful waste reduction program, and echoes the refrain that modern cities must think about consumption and waste in cyclical terms.
San Diego Cries Foul Over High Water Prices
Allegations of conspiracy and bullying haunt access to water in the arid, Mediterranean climate of San Diego, Adam Nagourney and Felicity Barringer report.
Ambitious Complete Street Project for LA Back On Track
James Brasuell celebrates the perseverance of one of LA's "most important urban projects," the remaking of Figueroa Boulevard, one of the city's major spines, linking downtown to the campus of the University of Southern California.
Turning a Traffic Nightmare Into a Transit Dream
In an opinion piece for the Los Angeles Times, parking guru Donald Shoup sees the proposed construction of a new football stadium in downtown LA as an opportunity to boost mass transit ridership in the city.
Design Competition Rethinks the Role of the Hospital
James Brasuell reports on the results of a competition sponsored by healthcare giant Kaiser Permanente aiming to transform healthcare design in California by breaking from traditionally sterile and isolating hospital environments.
Ramping Up Attacks on California's Planners
The Wall Street Journal's obsession with planning in California continued this past weekend, as they asked Joel Kotkin, demographer and "Truman Democrat", to discuss what he believes is driving "the great California exodus".
20 Years Onward, How Have the Riots Changed LA?
In April 1992, L.A. erupted in a torrent of burning, looting, and rioting following the acquittal of three police officers charged in the beating of Rodney King. Josh Sides looks at how the city responded to those events and how it's changed since.
As LA Slowly Expands Transit, Looking at Programs to Get Commuters Out of Their Cars Today
Alissa Walker sheds light on the programs and institutions pushing Angelenos to change their commuting behaviors in an effort to recoup some of the 485 million wasted hours that cost the region more than $10 billion annually due to congestion.
Sacramento's Slam Dunk Stadium Deal Rejected
Steven Greenhut opines on the lucky break he believes residents of Sacramento received earlier this week when owners of the city's NBA franchise backed out of a partnership to build a new basketball arena in the city's downtown.
Vallejo Approves First City-Wide Participatory Budgeting Process in US
The City Council of Vallejo, California, approved the first city-wide Participatory Budgeting process in the US this week. Residents will directly decide how to spend around $3 million from new sales tax revenue.
LA Mayor Stakes His Legacy on Transit Plan
Stymied by multiple attempts to leverage one of his key political victories as mayor - the passage of a half-cent tax increase to fund transit in LA - Villaraigosa announced another bid to speed up the expansion of the region's mass transit system.
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
