California
The 20 Dirtiest Cities in the U.S.
California has 7 of the 20 cities with the poorest air quality, according to a list complied by Forbes. Bakersfield, which has 60 days of unhealthy air a year, takes the top spot for its hot and dusty weather and proximity to oil fields.
"Shoulder Pads" For A Stadium
Design and architecture firm Gensler has released their newest plans for the proposed football stadium in downtown Los Angeles.
Los Angeles' Streetcar Plans Under Fire
With available funding from U.S. Tiger grant, Los Angeles has big hopes for its downtown which include a streetcar line that would go from north to south. Critics say the line is redundant of other existing transit.
Breaking up Southern California's Love Affair With Imported Water
Costs to import water are expected to skyrocket in Southern California, making the Metropolitan Water District look for other sources. Groundwater anyone?
Top Educated Cities in California Mostly in Bay Area
With 79.7 percent of its residents with a bachelor's degree or higher, Palo Alto, home to tech giants Facebook and Hewlett-Packard, is the most educated city in California, reports Joanna Lin for California Watch.
New Library Making A Splash With Public Art
West Hollywood, California recently opened a new public library, hiring a number of prominent artists like Shepard Fairey to turn it into a local landmark.
High Speed Rail Authority Hit With New Suit
Days after the CA HSR Authority was dealt a serious setback over its environmental analysis for the San Jose to SF segment, a new suit has been filed by Kings County. Construction must begin in the Central Valley next year to retain fed' funding.
New Efforts To Liven Up Parks
In Ohio, officials are looking at new ways to liven up their parks. They are providing incentives for volunteers to help beautify and maintain the parks, in addition to adding new programs to attract users to frequent the parks.
The McMansion as Dorm
In Merced, California, students fill in the large homes chockablock with amenities and left vacant by a high foreclosure rate. Rents often go for under $300 a month.
Companies Use CEQA as a Weapon
When a student housing firm faced competition in the form of a proposed new building at USC, it filed a lawsuit against them using CEQA (the California Environmental Quality Act). Then they sued the developer's other projects too.
Gas Prices On The Rise Despite Reduced Gas Consumption
Americans are driving less and more efficiently, resulting in reduced gas consumption - yet prices are rising. What gives? For a nation that relies on oil imports despite surging drilling, the answer is unusual.
Setback for HSR in San Jose to San Francisco Environmental Analysis
Three neighboring Peninsula cities scored a major victory in court by forcing the CA High Speed Rail Authority to reopen and revise the environmental document for the San Jose to San Francisco segment that they had hoped was finally completed.
In Beach Towns, Parking Bans are DIY
It's notoriously difficult to park in Southern California beach cities, but as Tony Barboza reports, not all "no parking" signs are legitimate.
Gov Reafirms Faith In Controversial CA High Speed Rail Project
The cost of CA's high speed rail system has doubled, but Gov. Brown has shown his faith in the authority in charge of the 800-mile system by asking the legislature, many of whom oppose HSR, to release bond funds the voters approved three years ago.
Breaking News: Judge Puts Kibosh on California HSR Route
Sacramento Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny ruled against the CA High-Speed Rail Authority in a lawsuit brought on by the cities of Palo Alto, Menlo Park to stop the train running through their communities.
Much of Future Measure R Money to Pay For "L.A. Roadworks"
Mayor Villaraigosa plans to borrow against future Measure R money to fund one massive, two-year road improvement project before he leaves office.
One Southland Big Box Gets Beautified
As a compromise for its presence in the community, mall developers on behalf of residents got one Costco's plans to be redrawn to look less like a, well, Costco. Rosanna Xia reports on the process.
Controversial 13,000 Sq. Ft. Home Gets Approved
The San Diego Planning Commission has rubber stamped a massive Zaha Hadid-designed private home. The dramatic architecture has had locals forming "anti-Zaha coalitions."
Cities Turn To The Arts To Make Great Places
ArtPlace America has issued a landmark series of grants dedicated to supporting the 'creative class' and enhance communities through the arts. Organizations in California snagged eight of thirty-four grants nationwide.
Congestion Pricing & Charging For Carpools Reduce Bay Bridge Congestion
A UC Berkeley traffic study shows dramatic reductions in travel time for all Bay Bridge traffic after tolls were restructured July, 2010, applying the region's first congestion charge and charging half price for carpools, ending their free passage.
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
