California

Innovative Project Turns Parking Lot to Wetland in Los Angeles

Kate Linthicum reports on a recently completed project in South Los Angeles to turn a former bus yard into a piece of stormwater infrastructure and a public amenity

February 16, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

A Bike Lane Blunder in Los Angeles

In a city known for its film industry, bike-friendly weather, and historic downtown, an editorial in the Los Angeles Times asks why they all can't just get along.

February 15, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

Parsing San Diego's Misguided Waterfront Plans

As Seattle considers ways to improve its waterfront, local architect and urban planner Mark Hinshaw evaluates a conflict brewing 1,250 miles to the south, for a lesson on what not to do with valuable downtown waterfront real estate.

February 15, 2012 - Crosscut

Positive Train Control Set to Revolutionize Railroad Safety

A cutting-edge railroad collision avoidance system is being installed in Los Angeles. Dan Weikel and Richard Simon examine the system, and the reasons why the federal government is backing down from requirements to install the system nationwide.

February 14, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

In Los Angeles, a Clash Over Trash

Kate Linthicum and Jessica Garrison recount the debate over a new proposal to overhaul Los Angeles's trash collection industry, as labor and environmental groups go head-to-head with waste haulers and business interests.

February 14, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

The Rise of Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing

Writing in Time, Anita Hamilton examines the rise of peer-to-peer car sharing networks, and why, exactly, the world's largest car company would support such a system.

February 13, 2012 - Time

The Appeal of In-Town Big Box

Emily Badger recounts the litany of gripes about Big Box stores, then proceeds to present the results of a recent study that shows why they may not be so bad after all.

February 12, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

The Growing Appeal of Drinking From the Toilet

Felicity Barringer reports on the growing practice of recycling treated wastewater as drinking water in southwestern cities attempting to address diminishing water supplies.

February 12, 2012 - The New York Times

Can An Electric Bike Replace A Car?

San Francisco will launch a pioneering electric bike share program this year, with the hope that pricing will help nudge consumers towards more efficient decisions, writes Sarah Laskow.

February 11, 2012 - Good

Putting the Bloom Back on the Rose Bowl

An Urban Land Institute panel of experts has delivered a vision for how to revitalize the historic Rose Bowl and its environs.

February 11, 2012 - Urban Land Institute

Friday Funny: Smellvertising, Coming to a Bus Stop Near You

John Metcalfe reports on an advertising campaign appearing at bus stops across the UK featuring a fiberglass potato sculpture and a mysterious odor emitting button.

February 10, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

The Staying Power of Green Jobs

Sarah Laskow reports on new findings that show California’s green economy fared much better in the economic downturn than the economy as a whole, demonstrating the overall staying power of green jobs.

February 10, 2012 - Good

Silicon Valley Primed for Facebook Real Estate Boom

Silicon Valley real estate agents and residents are primed for the potential rush of "newly minted Facebook millionaires," now that the company is on its way to becoming publicly traded.

February 9, 2012 - The New York Times

How to Survive An Earthquake in the Bay Area

When the Big One strikes the Bay Area you'll want to be on the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge, set to open next year. Its flexibility will allow it to ride the earthquake.

February 9, 2012 - The New York Times

After the Death of Redevelopment, Utilizing the Tools at Hand

In an editorial for The Sacramento Bee, William Fulton outlines the multitude of resources and strategies currently available to assist Californian cities in proceeding with redevelopment.

February 9, 2012 - The Sacramento Bee

Dancing on the Grave of Redevelopment

The redevelopment postmortem continues with a look at five projects that demonstrate the ways in which the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA) strayed from its core mission.

February 3, 2012 - Neon Tommy

Comprehensive Coverage of the End of Redevelopment in California

With no last minute pardons granted, yesterday marked the official dissolution date for California's 400-plus redevelopment agencies. Curbed LA has gathered the essential readings to guide you through the 'developments' at the state and local levels.

February 2, 2012 - Curbed LA

Mayor Outlines "Plan B" To Push Through Transit Improvements in L.A.

Deputy Mayor for Transportation Borja Leon provides insight into the Mayor's plans for ramping up implementation of Measure R funded projects if the Federal Government fails to back his America Fast Forward program.

February 2, 2012 - Streetsblog L.A.

First Lady Highlights Efforts to Improve Food Access in Visit to LA

Yesterday, Michelle Obama visited the site of a new grocery store in an impoverished section of Los Angeles to highlight her work in spearheading efforts to improve access to fresh foods and reduce obesity across the country.

February 2, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

Marking the Day Redevelopment Died

A year after Gov. Jerry Brown announced his intent to kill redevelopment and repatriate billions of dollars in tax monies that go to local agencies, the day of reckoning has finally come. Over 400 agencies officially shut down on Feb. 1.

February 2, 2012 - California Planning & Development Report

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.

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.