California
Schwarzenegger to Receive Park Protection Award
Without even a hint of sarcasm, the National Park Trust is planning to give an award to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for protection of public lands.
Concentrated Power in Tiny City of Industry
With only 100 voters and a mayor with strong financial ties to the city, Industry, CA is "disturbingly insular," says the LA Times. And with a proposed $800 million stadium in the works, Industry's concentrated power is called into question.
PAYD FAIL
California has finally begun to encourage insurance companies to offer "pay as you drive" (PAYD) insurance policies. The Natural Resources Defense Council says it's a half baked policy.
Transit Cheats Plague San Francisco's MUNI
Ever wonder how many people hop on those cable-cars in San Fran without paying the fare? Well, it turns out that transit cheats cost MUNI, San Francisco's transit agency, an estimated, $19 million a year.
Academia and Activism
A profile of Alvaro Huerta, the son of Mexican immigrants who is combining his urban planning studies with social activism.
New Topographics
A photography show in 1975 is credited with changing the way artists looked at landscape, shifting towards looking at the built environment with a less romantic viewpoint. The original show is back on tour and opens at the LA County Museum of Art.
Environmental Concerns Slow Solar in California
The White House is pushing for more solar power projects nationwide, but environmental concerns are stalling the progress of plans to build solar projects in the California desert.
The End of Free Parking in Santa Monica
Santa Monica, CA is making the move to market-based parking in order to reduce congestion, reduce pollution, and make alternatives more appealing.
Is Bright Right or Blight?
A proposal to create a new outdoor advertising district in San Francisco has some locals anticipating a retail revival, while others dread the possible billboard blight.
CA Cities Switching to LED Lighting
Following the success of programs in L.A. and San Francisco, more cities in California are making the switch to LED lights to save on energy costs and provide more sustainable street lighting.
CEQA Waived for Stadium
The California State Senate has approved a bill that grants a proposed stadium project in the City of Industry an exemption from the CEQA process.
California Legislators Pushing For Resolution to Water Crisis
Legislators in California are forming a special session to try to tackle the state's crippling water woes. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is hoping they can hammer out a deal within the week.
Study Shows Shelter Reduces Costs
A four-year study by United Way of Greater Los Angeles has shown that stable housing provides benefits to taxpayers as well as the homeless.
Greywater Guerrillas
The California Building Standards Commission recently okayed the use of greywater (slightly dirty water from tubs, washing machines, etc.) to be used for irrigation. They were catching up on a revolution 20 years in the making.
First Fast Food, Now South L.A. Looks to Ban Convenience Stores
Community activists are calling for a ban on new convenience stores in South Los Angeles, a lower income part of town that saw a ban on new fast food restaurants last year.
Harmonizing New and Old in Infill
John King visits the new Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life in Palo Alto, which he sees as an example of the challenges of infill development.
Food Deserts in Los Angeles
A coalition of community groups in L.A. has banded together to address the lack of access to healthy food in sections of East and South Central Los Angeles.
Fast Food Ban Doesn't Trim the Fat
A ban on new fast food restaurants in South Los Angeles which was put in place last year has been found to play little role in reducing obesity in the area, according to a new report from the Rand Corporation.
Safety and Gender in Los Angeles
Enci Box's personal account of how gender, safety, and living car-free intersect in her daily transportation decisions.
A Look Through The Lens of Julius Shulman
'Visual Acoustics' is a new documentary about the 'vibrant' Mr. Shulman, the photographer of modernist homes who captured the ethos and energy of the Los Angeles modern architecture movement.
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
