California

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.

November 13, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

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.

November 12, 2011 - Los Angeles Times: Environment

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.

November 11, 2011 - The San Jose Mercury News

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.

November 11, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

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.

November 10, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

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."

November 8, 2011 - The Architect's Newspaper

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.

November 8, 2011 - California Planning & Development Report

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.

November 7, 2011 - San Francisco Chronicle

San Francisco Mayoral Candidates Lacking Urban Vision

In the thick of the campaign, the American Institute of Architects invited the eleven major candidates for mayor of San Francisco to debate their respective visions for the City by the Bay.

November 7, 2011 - The Examiner

Co-Housing Offers A Fresh Approach To Sustainable Development

A return to community focused development is changing the design of neighborhoods across the country. Leon Kaye explains how the Mountain View Co-Housing's 19 new condos could provide a model for other cities.

November 7, 2011 - The Guardian

New Plan For CA HSR Misses Second And Sixth Largest Cities

The new $98 billion price tag and 2033 completion date in the revised HSR Authority's business plan applies to the first phase, meaning that the extensions to San Diego and Sacramento will take even longer, leaving some San Diegan leaders seething.

November 7, 2011 - AP via The Sacramento Bee

Where Is Real Estate Going Next?

A recent Urban Land Institute panel discusses where real estate is headed, based on the publication 'What's Ahead for Real Estate Through 2020'. From Baby Boomers to Gen-Y, demand is changing, and developers are beginning to tune in.

November 6, 2011 - The Planning Report

HSRA Asks CA Gov, Legislature For $2.7 billion In State Bond Funding

With its revised business plan released Nov. 1 showing a dramatic increase in costs and time to build the 800 mile system, the Authority adopted its funding plan to a largely skeptical audience, many from the Central Valley where construction begins.

November 5, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

GTA V Trailer Satirizes LA Planning And Construction

The new edition of the Grand Theft Auto series will parody LA, including its idiosyncratic planning landscape, which will feature avaricious developers, activist NIMBYs, and a oceanside dwelling starchitect.

November 4, 2011 - Curbed LA

Ride Your Bike Today, Get Cash for Gas Tomorrow

A startup is proposing a new way to incentivize alternative transportation choices by giving people the option each day to choose between cars, bikes and transit.

November 4, 2011 - Fast Company

Paper Approves HSR Plan; Columnist Has Doubts

The editorial board of The Sacramento Bee was pleased with the new business plan of the HSR Authority, especially its new focus on improving commuter rail, while its premier columnist, Dan Walters, continues to see the project as unnecessary.

November 4, 2011 - The Sacramento Bee - Opinion

Among the Needy, Car Ownership Can be Key to Moving Up

In the last installment of a three-part series on "Buy Here Pay Here" car dealerships, Ken Bensinger reports on the link between car ownership and income among the poor. Historically, legislation for low-income car ownership has been resisted.

November 4, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

New CA HSR Estimates: Double the Cost, Twice As Long To Build

According to preliminary reports on the new business plan, the California High Speed Rail Authority's new estimate for the 800-mile system will be $98.5 billion - initially pegged at $43 billion, and will take an additional 13 years to build.

November 2, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

New Football Stadium in Los Angeles Faces Opposition

The Mayor has proposed a $1.5 billion plan to build a football stadium, named Farmers Field in L.A.'s downtown with the goal of boosting the region's overall economy.

November 2, 2011 - newgeography

California HSR Figures Released, Leaving Project's Fate Shaky

On Tuesday, the California High-Speed Rail Authority announced that the cost of the project has tripled to nearly $99 billion, and federal funds for it don't exist yet--prompting some legislators' support to fizzle.

November 2, 2011 - San Jose Mercury News

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.

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