California

Troubles Persist in California's Delta

The process of re-designing California's Delta to protect endangered species, feed the state's farms and serve freshwater to its residents has become further complicated.

December 15, 2010 - The New York Times

Tolls Incite San Francisco Peninsula Border War

The mere possibility that a SF County Transportation Authority study could result in a 'border' charge (congestion toll) to drive into SF from San Mateo County has the latter floating their own competing toll for motorists entering San Mateo County.

December 14, 2010 - San Jose Mercury News

City's Fate Rests On Airport's Revival

Officials in Ontario, CA, contend that LA/Ontario Airport would be a major driver of development -- if it wasn't mismanaged by an airport authority controlled by the City of Los Angeles.

December 14, 2010 - California Planning & Development Report

Susan Straight's New Novel Depicts A Vision of LA Rarely Explored

Susan Straight's new novel draws on her experiences of growing downtown LA and its surroundings to create an image of a neighborhood 'reeking of cheap liquor and hurt.'

December 12, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

Ugly L.A. Deserves a Makeover

Los Angeles is ugly. But it doesn't have to be, argues Sam Lubell.

December 12, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

Connecting Job Centers With Transit in L.A.

Sirinya Tritipeskul delves into the data and creates maps that illustrate clearly where the job centers are in Los Angeles and where new transit plans will connect them to the region.

December 11, 2010 - The Source

LA Finally Approves Dedicated Bus Lanes Along Wilshire Boulevard

The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority finally approved the construction of 7.7 miles of bus lanes along Wilshire Boulevard, with the exception of a one mile stretch in Westwood known as 'Condo Canyon.'

December 10, 2010 - The Los Angeles Times

LaHood Announces New HSR Winners & Losers

The loser list is short and no surprise: The governor-elects of OH and WI had campaigned against HSR projects in their states-they got their wish. The recipients of the redirected $1.2 billion were the surprise,with CA, FL, and WA being the happiest.

December 10, 2010 - U.S. D.O.T. Press Release

Predictions for California Planning in 2011

Paul Shigley of the California Planning and Development Report offers three predictions on what the state can expect to see in 2011 in terms of urban planning and development.

December 10, 2010 - California Planning and Development Report

A Photographic Tour of a Foreclosure Hotbed

Modesto, California has one of the highest rates of foreclosure in the U.S. This collection of photography documents the city's abandoned homes.

December 10, 2010 - Telstar Logistics

Calthorpe's Saltworks: Is it Smart Growth?

The Redwood City Saltworks development designed by Peter Calthorpe has taken a lot of flack from environmentalists -- and rightfully so, says John Parman, in particular for its susceptibility to potentially rising bay waters from global warming.

December 9, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

NIMBYs and Politicians Are Behind Your Bad Cellphone Reception

In San Francisco, Bernal Hill residents with dubious claims of health risks from microwave antennas have persuaded their supervisor to kill a wireless service providers plan to add to an already existing antenna, says Todd Lappin.

December 9, 2010 - Bernalwood

U.S. Court Of Appeals Rules 'Sprawl Fee' Lawful

A U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld a 2008 District Court ruling allowing a regional air quality district to manage land use for the improvement of air quality. CA's Central Valley Air Dist. now has a lawful Indirect Source Review or sprawl fee rule.

December 9, 2010 - AP via The Fresno Bee

S.F. Attracting Tech Industry from Silicon Valley

More tech workers are choosing the city over the suburbs. Now companies themselves are beginning to follow suit, reports Jon Swartz.

December 9, 2010 - USA Today

AEG Making Downtown L.A. NFL Stadium Pitch

Having brought the Staples Center, L.A. Live, and a convention center hotel complex to the South Park neighborhood in Downtown Los Angeles, Tim Leiweke, is now pitching an NFL stadium that will double as an addendum to the convention center.

December 5, 2010 - The Planning Report

Suburb To City: No More Congestion Pricing, Please

San Mateo County officials have a bone to pick with their bigger neighbor (in population, not area) to the north, San Francisco: don't charge us to drive there. Unlike drivers from East and North Bay counties, no bridge tolls separate the counties.

December 3, 2010 - The San Mateo Daily Journal

Ridership Predictions Lowered, But Subway Plans Move Ahead

Despite predictions of ridership that are lower than previously thought, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is still pushing ahead with plans to build a subway line in the center of the city.

December 3, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

Nature-Mimicking Infrastructure: 21st Century Technology?

Andy Lipkis, the founder and president of TreePeople, an organization in Los Angeles that brings natural concepts into the "urban forest", details his 40 years of work proving the feasibility of projects such as the Elmer Avenue Project.

December 3, 2010 - The Planning Report

Dark Clouds Over L.A.'s Light Rail

Los Angeles is in the midst of expanding its light rail system. But a new idea to speed up the process has backfired and caused delays and major increases in estimated costs.

December 3, 2010 - LA Weekly

Major Riverfront Development Stymied in L.A.

After 25 years in conception and a recently renewed master planning effort, the 150-acre Piggyback Yards still awaits funding and approval from the city, reports The Architect's Newspaper.

December 2, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

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.

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