California

In the frenzied hunt for new revenue streams, municipal authorities are getting creative in capitalizing on their assets. Nate Berg follows the example of Sacramento, who is considering privatizing its parking meters to pay for a new sports arena.

March 14, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Ambitious plans to remake considerable portions of San Francisco's Waterfront in preparation for the America’s Cup yacht race, to be staged in the city in 2013, have been significantly scaled back, reports George Calys

March 13, 2012 - The Architect's Newspaper

With more than 600 cities in the U.S. developing or having enacted formal climate plans, Nate Berg investigates disconcerting new findings that show a lack of any causal connection between greenhouse gas reductions and climate action plans.

March 13, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

After decades spent redeveloping Hollywood's starring attractions along Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards, its alleyways are the focus of an on-going beautification effort, reports Jessica Gelt.

March 12, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

The next wave in shareable transportation is coming to San Francisco. Ariel Schwartz reports on the "Zipcar of electric scooters".

March 12, 2012 - Fast Co.Exisit

Heather Knight reports on a trend concerning officials and family advocates throughout San Francico, the exodus of families with children who can no longer afford housing in a city that is becoming older, whiter and richer.

March 11, 2012 - San Francisco Chronicle

Though Gov. Jerry Brown still appears to be opposed to the idea, both houses of the California Legislature are pondering the possibility of bringing back tax-increment financing in a limited form.

March 11, 2012 - California Planning & Development Report

A subject that has flummoxed transit advocates and planners in L.A. for decades is how to best connect to the city's largest airport. As planning advances for billions of dollars in transit projects, Yonah Freemark explores how best to make the link.

March 10, 2012 - the transport politic

With less than two months under his belt as the new chairman of the High Speed Rail Authority, Dan Richard has made significant shifts in strategy for the project and is generating optimism for a fresh start, reports Ken Orski.

March 8, 2012 - Infrastructure USA

Kirsten Dirksen reports on one housing developer's 160-square-foot vision for San Francisco singles.

March 7, 2012 - *faircompanies

Nate Berg reports on the opening of L.A.'s first effort at a street-to-plaza conversion project in the city's Silver Lake neighborhood, which was inspired by similar street plazas created in New York City and San Francisco.

March 6, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

The inconsistent signage, representing 26 different public transportation systems in the Bay Area, leaves many riders feeling lost. Julie Caine describes the confusion and improvements underway.

March 6, 2012 - Transportation Nation

Jeff Kightlinger of the Metropolitan Water District and Phil Isenberg of the Delta Stewardship Council illustrate the state of California's water delivery system today. As population grows and infrastructure ages, an onerous task lies ahead.

March 3, 2012 - The Planning Report

In respective reports on this week's awarding of the TED Prize, Anthony Flint and Diana Lind promote different opinions on the potential impact of this year's winner - The City 2.0.

March 2, 2012 - Next American City

An interview with Tim McOsker, one of the three appointees charged by Governor Jerry Brown to wind down the affairs of the Los Angeles CRA, reveals an insider's experience of the complexities of respecting contracts and mandates.

March 2, 2012 - The Planning Report

Stockton, a city of 300,000 in California's ailing Central Valley, may become the largest city in the U.S. to declare bankruptcy. Agreements with public employee unions and major bond creditors may be all that stand in the way of default.

March 1, 2012 - The New York Times - U.S.

For the final topic in its blog series Lab Notes I, the BMW Guggenheim Lab has enlisted June Williamson to address repurposing buildings and urban infrastructure for more productive uses.

March 1, 2012 - LAB|log

Sam Lubell looks at the growth of Southern California as an architectural manufacturing center, reflecting larger trends in manufacturing that require higher-skilled labor to produce more sophisticated products.

February 29, 2012 - The Architect's Newspaper

As the population of Downtown Los Angeles has grown dramatically over the last decade, the need for park space to serve that population has grown along with it. A new pocket park being built along Spring Street helps meet that need.

February 27, 2012 - The Architect's Newspaper

After years of lost revenue from fare evaders, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is looking to implement gate-locking at Metro rail stations within six months, reports Ari Bloomekatz.

February 27, 2012 - Los Angeles Times