California

Complete Streets Act Signed Into Law In California

Huge victory for road safety and the California Bicycle Coalition was scored when CA Gov. Schwarzenegger signed 'Complete Streets Act' in September.

November 1, 2008 - CalBike Report

What L.A.'s Transit Tax Proposal Would Mean

L.A. Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne and transportation reporter Steve Hymon look at a proposal to raise the sales tax in L.A. to fund public transit. They call it a good opportunity for the city's urbanism, but also a tough sell.

October 31, 2008 - Los Angeles Times

Legislation Edges California Closer to True Urban Planning

Recently approved legislation tying land use planning to greenhouse gas emissions is being sold as critically important by both detractors and supporters. But Bill Fulton argues that SB 375 provides only one step in an ongoing evolution.

October 30, 2008 - California Planning & Development Report

The Miserable State of California's Roads

Sacramento Bee political columnist took three road trips through 17 states and has a few comments to make, along with some facts, about the condition of the Golden State's roads - in comparison to those he toured, and where the responsibility lies.

October 29, 2008 - The Sacramento Bee

Berkeley Unveils Climate Action Plan Based Around TOD

In Nov, 2006, the residents of Berkeley approved a measure requiring the city to reduce GHG emissions by 80% by the year 2050. The draft plan has been released, and unlike an earlier version, this one emphasizes transit oriented development as key.

October 28, 2008 - The Berkeley Daily Planet

A Smart Growth Report Card

The Modesto Bee does a thorough ranking of cities and town in California's Central Valley and how 'smart' their growth is. Oakdale, CA comes out on top, while Gustine is the dunce of the group.

October 27, 2008 - Modesto Bee

Stop Development, Stop Traffic?

October 27, 2008 - Nate Berg

New Road Signage Directs Motorists To 'Move Over' For Cyclists

A single bike activist, tired of being honked at by motorists as they passed her in a narrow lane, lobbied her small city for a sign directing motorists to "change lanes to pass", and got it. Motorists have since ceased honking and changed lanes.

October 26, 2008 - The Examiner

How to Make San Francisco More Sustainable

As part of its series on creating a sustainable future, the San Francisco Bay Guardian has outlined a list of steps for improving land use in the city, and argues that current plans from the mayor won't be enough.

October 25, 2008 - The San Francisco Bay Guardian

CEQA's Automobile 'Level of Service' Must Go

The San Francisco County Transportation Authority is calling for the elimination of auto levels of service (LOS) as a criteria under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

October 25, 2008 - coolconnections.org

Homeless at the Mall

A reporter goes undercover as a homeless person to find out what happens when the indigent pay a visit to L.A.'s first corporate-controlled public park.

October 24, 2008 - LA Weekly

'Can Hard Times Be Good for Architecture?'

Critic Christopher Hawthorne argues that a difficult market could lead architecture away from a fascination with large, iconic buildings to a focus on the 'connective tissue' of cities.

October 24, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Nancy Pelosi, Symbol of the West

The myth of the American West as a wild, natural place is long gone, says urban studies professor Carl Abbott. The Western U.S. is actually the most urban part of the nation.

October 24, 2008 - The Hartford Courant

Improvements to SF's Public Transit System in the Works

San Francisco's Municipal Railway transit system will see incremental but major changes in the next five years.

October 23, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

BART Riders May Pay More to Park

To offset delayed transit funds, the Bay Area Rapid Transit District plans to charge those who drive to BART stations more to park. In some places, commuters will be charged to park for the first time.

October 23, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

'Lifestyle Changes' Needed for High-Speed Rail's Success

Critics of California's proposed high-speed rail system say that big cities are too spread apart for it to work as well as it has in Europe and Asia. Additionally, Californians will have to learn to adapt to density and public transportation.

October 22, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Legislations Rewards Affordable Housing with Parks

A new piece of legislation rewards local governments in California that build affordable housing with money to build and maintain parks.

October 22, 2008 - Marketwatch

Affordable Housing That Improves the Neighborhood

Critic John King says three new housing projects in San Francisco go beyond the goal of shelter, creating fun, attractive environments.

October 22, 2008 - San Francisco Chronicle

Traffic-Fighting Proposition Falls Short

According to Neal Payton, Santa Monica's Proposition T, intended to cut traffic growth, is useless.

October 21, 2008 - 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.