California

Save Water, Face Fine

When California declared a statewide drought, a couple decided to let their front lawn die.

July 10, 2008 - RedOrbit

Something Good To Say About California's Prop 13 In A Housing Slump

Long considered the source of California's fiscal and land use woes, Proposition 13, passed by voters in 1978, limits increases in property tax. However, it may prove to be an 'economic stabilizer' during the current housing slump.

July 10, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

High-Speed Rail Ready to Go- Just Add Money

After significant debate, the Pacheco pass route has been approved for the high-speed train between Los Angeles and the Bay Area. Next step: pass a $10 billion proposition on the November ballot.

July 10, 2008 - San Jose Mercury News

Study Says That Highways Don't Pay for Themselves

How often does one hear that transit is somehow a less respectable form of transportation than driving because of the "massive subsidies" transit receives? Well, a new study by Texas DOT says that highways don't pay for themselves either.

July 9, 2008 - la.streetsblog.org

What's In A Neighborhood's Name?

Officials in Los Angeles have renamed the former "South Central" to remove the stigma of riots in the 1990's. But some business owners and residents say that's had a greater negative consequence than keeping the old name would have.

July 9, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

SoCal Residents Overcoming Fear of Transit

Southern Californians, facing some of the worst gas prices in the country, are experimenting with taking public transit, as these personal stories from the Los Angeles Times attest.

July 9, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Fulton to Kotkin: Those Aren't Suburbs

Joel Kotkin's recent LA Times Op-Ed is critiqued by Bill Fulton of the California Planning and Development Report. Fulton argues the suburban areas Kotkin defends are actually urbanizing, whereas true suburbia show signs of becoming the new slums.

July 8, 2008 - California Planning and Development Report

Smart Growth in Sacramento

The Wall Street Journal looks at this "smart growth" thing.

July 7, 2008 - Wall St. Journal

Climate Plan Shows California Can Be A Leader

It has been a long time since the State of California was a public policy innovator. But a draft plan for implementing a greenhouse gas reduction law places California right on the cutting edge.

July 7, 2008 - California Planning & Development Report

Bike Buddies Turn Commute Into Workout

T.J. Kelly was finding it difficult to squeeze in exercise, and looking at his rising commute costs. A new co-worker helped him turn his commute into a workout.

July 2, 2008 - Wall St. Journal

Climate Change Changing Assumptions on Land Use, Energy

Critic John King reflects on how common assumptions of Bay Area residents about urban growth boundaries and protesting nuclear power are challenged by the growing problem of climate change and energy access.

July 2, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

CA's Climate Change Mandate Will Drive Smart Growth

In what may be the silver lining of the current economic climate, high fuel costs and carbon restrained economies may spell the end for unsustainable planning and development patterns in California, according to Rick Cole, City Manager of Ventura.

July 1, 2008 - The Planning Report

GIS Solves Crimes

Cops in Toronto catch a criminal through GIS plotting, and reporter Sara Barbour takes us on a tour of other unusual new applications of GIS.

June 30, 2008 - Miller/McCune

Land Use Takes Back Seat In CA's Global Warming Plan

Energy-efficient vehicles,buildings, appliances, low carbon fuels,and renewable energy took center stage in the Climate Change Draft Scoping Plan released June 26 by the CA Air Resources Board, a major step in meeting the landmark AB 32 climate goals

June 29, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Other Cities May Follow D.C. in Lifting Handgun Ban

Washington D.C.'s recent lift of its citywide handgun ban could signal a change for other cities with similar bans, like L.A. and Atlanta.

June 27, 2008 - NPR

L.A. Mayor Seeks Sales Tax Increase For Transit

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's half-cent increase in the county's sales tax would create $30-$40 billion for transportation projects over the next 30 years, and could go before voters in November.

June 27, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Will Free Rides Make Firm Believers In Transit?

Transit agencies around the U.S. offered free rides on a single day, and large crowds follow. But observers aren't sure they'll stick around when they have to pay again.

June 26, 2008 - San Jose Mercury News

New San Francisco Parks Key to Neighborhood Vibrancy

Two new parks in San Francisco show how great neighborhoods are defined by their public spaces, according to this article from the San Francisco Chronicle.

June 25, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Freeway Expansion Leads to Increased Traffic

A year after a new freeway was completed in Southern California, traffic data shows increased use. Officials plan to widen the freeway to handle the increased load.

June 24, 2008 - The San Bernardino Sun

San FranYuppyland?

San Francisco's rapid loss of low and middle-income residents is taking a toll on the city's social fabric.

June 23, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

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.