California
Why Are Condos Such a Tough Sell in LA?
As a number of luxury high-rise condo buildings struggle to sell their units, Alexei Barrionuevo looks at the difficulty of selling a high-density lifestyle in a city "where the seriously wealthy overwhelmingly prefer living in extravagant estates."
Beverly Hills Plays the Victim in Subway Dispute
Josh Stephens describes the fierce battle raging between Beverly Hills and Metro, the region's transportation authority, over the proposed route of the long-planned westward subway extension.
Upscale Eating Whets the Appetite for Change in SF
Vauhini Vara explains what a new upscale eatery could mean for the future character of low-income communities like Bayview and Hunter’s Point and their residents.
WSJ Hears From CA Smart Growth Bill Author
The Wall Street Journal printed a response to the Wendall Cox opinion, “California Declares War on Suburbia” by none other than the author of the bill (SB 375) that Cox holds responsible for the war, Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg.
What's Driving Water Rates and Combativeness in San Diego?
Steven Erie, a professor of political science and the Director of the Urban Studies Program at UC San Diego, discusses how the San Diego County Water Authority's finger-pointing obfuscates the region's discourse on what is really driving water rates.
Federal Bike/Ped Pilot Project a Success
Included in the 2005 federal transportation bill was $100 million for four regions to invest in bike and pedestrian infrastructure to determine, essentially, if they build it, will they bike and ride more and drive less. The final results are in.
SF Looks to Cultivate its Urban Gardens
Stephanie M. Lee reports on the complicated nature of creating an urban garden in San Francisco, and how the area's Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR) hopes to streamline the process.
California's Growing Housing Imbalance
Robert Steuteville looks at a recent report on the Golden State's supply and demand imbalance in the housing market. It's not what the The Wall Street Journal has led you to believe.
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.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
