California

Competition Rising Among Food Trucks

Is the food truck craze "over"? The instant urbanism of the street food phenomenon is still highly popular, despite the media coverage saying the trend is facing a bubble.

May 31, 2011 - NPR

Revitalization Projects in South Central L.A.

Bank of America touts their lending programs that have funded redevelopment in South Central, particularly a mixed-use development at the corner of Adams and Central that includes a Fresh N' Easy market.

May 31, 2011 - Bank of America

Political Housing Evolution In San Francisco

Prompted by the May 24 approval by the Board of Supervisors of the massive redevelopment of the Parkmerced garden apartments, The Examiner looks at the city's evolution from protecting city character at all costs to a more urbanist approach.

May 30, 2011 - San Francisco Examiner

TOD Grows Hesitantly Around New L.A. Station

L.A.'s newest light-rail station, at the current end-of-the-line off La Cienega, has attracted one new office building so far. The developer saw the future transit station as an amenity. Will others join him?

May 29, 2011 - The Los Angeles Times

New Zealand's Hillside Sign Idea Irks Hollywood

The city of Wellington, an emerging center for filmmaking in New Zealand, is considering a plans to build a hillside sign with the word "Wellywood" -- an homage to the famous "Hollywood" sign. Hollywood is not flattered.

May 27, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

Lighting Up the Public Realm

This video from Public Architecture looks at three outdoor lighting displays and their impact on the public realm in San Francisco.

May 26, 2011 - Public Architecture

Not a High Speed Train to Nowhere

California's high speed rail project has been criticized for starting its first section in the state's central valley and connecting to small towns. But this piece argues that's exactly the right way to do it.

May 26, 2011 - Miller-McCune

Reflecting on the Contemporary City of Los Angeles

In this excerpt from a new book on Los Angeles, L.A.-based architect Michael Maltzan reflects on the city, and how its clashes and evolving identity are part of why it represents the future of cities.

May 25, 2011 - Places

Parking Space "Parklet" Stolen in Entirety

The Actual Cafe in Oakland, California proudly opened an extension of their space last Wednesday into a parking space, creating a parklet for customers. Later that evening, someone stole the whole thing.

May 23, 2011 - Oakland Local

Be Your Own Architecture Critic

John King gives readers the tools to critique plans for the new wing of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art before the designs are released next Weds.

May 20, 2011 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Five Different Californias

A new report takes a unique look at quality-of-life issues in the Golden State, measuring social well-being using health, education and income factors. The study concludes that the state is divided into 5 areas with different ecologies.

May 20, 2011 - Ventura County Star

While Others Struggle, L.A. County Moves On Transportation Projects

While cities throughout California and the rest of the nation struggle to afford even their most basic services, L.A. County's moving ahead with more than $4 billion in transportation projects.

May 19, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

Big But Familiar Park Changes Mirror L.A.'s Issues

Exposition Park in Los Angeles is on the verge of major changes -- a retired space shuttle, the last days of a stadium, new transit access, and the demolition of a piece of big-name architecture. But looking at its history, changes are nothing new.

May 18, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

L.A. Second-Best When it Comes to Transit

Honolulu has the most accessible public transit in the U.S., but apparently the same state with the worst traffic in the nation has the 2nd-most convenient transit.

May 18, 2011 - California Planning & Development Report

D.C. Transit Data Now Available on Google Maps

Google announces the addition of D.C.'s Metro and bus routes to their online and mobile maps, including connections to other commuter transit systems.

May 16, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

Architect/Planner-Turned-Councilman Offers Thoughts on City's Future

An architect takes a seat on the Wet Hollywood City Council, and offers his thoughts on density and parking in the city and where things went wrong.

May 16, 2011 - Architect

Planning Slips From San Diego's Org Chart

Last month, the planning department of the City of San Diego was folded into the Development Services Department. Locals worry the shift in perspective will endanger plans being developed in a dozen different neighborhoods.

May 13, 2011 - OB Rag

Do You Approve or Disapprove of Public Art?

An independent group is seeking to "ignite essential discussions about art in Los Angeles" by getting locals to put APPROVE or DISAPPROVE stickers on public art around the city.

May 12, 2011 - MOCA-latte

Charles Moore's Los Angeles

Architect Charles Moore was an intellect and practitioner that loved Los Angeles, pushing the envelope of the city's nostalgia and utopianism while simultaneously embracing them, says urban designer Vinayak Bharne.

May 12, 2011 - Vinayak Bharne

The Planner Behind the Parklets

Andres Power, an urban designer for the San Francisco Planning Department, is the driving force behind the city's now-popular Pavement to Park program. Streetsblog's Bryan Goebel sat down to talk with him about the process.

May 11, 2011 - Streetsblog

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.