California
Funds to Stabilize Neighborhoods, But Which Ones?
Funding from the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program is finding a lot of use in foreclosure-swamped California's San Bernardino County. But one city is deep in debate over how those funds should be used, and which areas should be saved.
'Smart Studs' Will Open New Freeway Lanes Automatically
A new high-tech system from New Zealand will be installed on L.A.'s 110 freeway, which will feature sensors that will know when traffic slows and open an alternate lane automatically.
Friday Funny: Public Comment Gold
A sample of public comments from meetings in the eccentrically out-there city of Santa Cruz, California.
Urban Farm Plot Violates Zoning
A small strip of land in Los Angeles is being used to grow vegetables for the cafe next door. But officials say the plot violates zoning rules.
California Bill Seeks Sharp Cuts in Per-Capita Water Use
The state of California is looking to reduce its per-capita water usage 20% by 2020, a plan that's moving forward in the state legislature. The plan could mean drastic changes for many cities in the arid parts of the state.
Budweiser Beach, CA?
With the new California budget slashing state park funding, as many as 100 parks and beaches could close. Park officials are seeking funding to keep parks open, including corporate sponsorship opportunities.
California's Budget Undercuts Climate Change Policy
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger cultivates the image of a climate change warrior. But the state budget he signed this week portrays very different priorities.
Water Tunnel Beneath Bay to Protect San Francisco in Face of Quake
Utilities officials in the San Francisco Bay Area are hoping to secure their water resources in the face of another devastating earthquake by building a 5-mile long water tunnel beneath the Bay.
Herb-an Planning
Medical marijuana dispensaries are in high supply in Los Angeles. But without zoning regulations to determine where they should and should not go, the dispensaries are causing some concerns from locals.
LA ExpressLanes (aka HOT Lanes) Toll Schedule Set
LA's Metropolitan Transportation Authority has set a toll 'schedule' for solo motorists on the new High Occupancy Toll, or 'ExpressLanes', as the MTA refers to them, on the 10 and 110 freeways. Opening date may be 2010.
Rethinking Parking
A new "boutique approach" to parking may revolutionize neighborhood on-street parking in San Francisco.
New Study Recommends Efficient On-Street Parking Pricing and Management
A new study identifies innovative approaches to efficiently manage San Francisco's curbside parking supply, particularly in neighborhoods.
Go...East, Young Man?
Commentator Andrei Codrescu speculates that with the economy in dire straits, California may experience a population loss as people move back to the states they left in the Great Depression.
High-Speed Rail to The Happiest Place on Earth
LA's Metro board is getting on board with high-speed rail, announcing Thursday that a Los Angeles-to-Anaheim (home of Disneyland) train could be a reality in less than 10 years.
The Battle Over a Historic L.A. Hotel
Preservationists and developers are deep in a dispute over the Century Plaza hotel in L.A. On the drawing board are two high rise towers, but defenders of the site argue the hotel's historic value trumps the benefit the new project would bring.
Solving Scarce Parking With 'Benefit Districts'
Transportation planners in San Francisco are proposing "parking benefit districts" where residents control pricing and boundaries to make parking easier in the congested city.
CA's High Speed Rail Hampered By Controversy
In this political column, Sac Bee columnist Dan Walters opines that the $.9 billion of CA's HSR $9.9 billion bond measure may be the only realistic accomplishment of Prop 1A due to budgetary and political hurdles the train may not be able to succumb.
More Ped Plazas On The Way
With the successful launch of the 17th St. park, San Francsico's "Pavement to Parks" project is moving to its next location, the corner of Guerrero and San Jose. Activist Gillian Gillett has been pushing for something to happen there for years.
Soaking Up Runoff For a Greener Street
The city of Santa Monica has just unveiled its first segment of green street, one where rainwater runoff seeps into porous pavement and landscaping.
CA's Top Cities for Solar
Environment California has released a study that shows significant growth in the state's solar power construction, and ranks cities by how many solar roofs they have. San Diego is tops.
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
