California
Caring For Foreclosed Lawns
A city councilwoman in Galt, south of Sacramento, is cited for violating city code rules on watering. That's despite the fact that the City Council had urged the public to water and care for lawns at foreclosed homes.
California City Considers Banning Billboards
Following the example set by Sao Paulo, Brazil, the city of Encinitas, California is considering a plan to ban new billboard advertisements within the city.
L.A. River Rebuff Confirmed
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has made final a decision that says much of the Los Angeles River is not navigable, and is therefore not a river. It will retain some Clean Water Act protection, but developing on its watershed may become easier.
Developer Smackdown in San Diego
A real estate developer in San Diego is turning activist, claiming a new residential development isn't working within the community guidelines. San Diego CityBeat suspects something else is happening here.
California Voters Show Support for Redevelopment
Election Day provided a big boost for proponents of redevelopment in California. A statewide measure to restrict use of eminent domain lost badly, while voters in San Francisco and Napa County showed support for redevelopment projects.
One Man's Legacy in L.A.
William Fulton reflects on the lasting impact of L.A. developer Robert Maguire III on the city.
Gas Prices Surge, Transit Ridership Jumps, VMT Drops
As gas prices inch beyond $4 a gallon, transit trips increase by 3.3% for the first quarter of the year and vehicle miles traveled drop 4.3% in March.
Corps Says L.A. River Isn't a River
A draft decision by the Army Corps of Engineers says that because a boat cannot navigate its waters, the L.A. River doesn't qualify as a river. Environmentalists are outraged, as hundreds of square miles of watershed are at risk of losing protection.
Goldman Sachs Sees Gold in Humboldt, CA
Humboldt's port shows promise, but would require massive investment. Goldman Sachs expresses an interest, surprising locals.
Cities Seek Ways to Fight Growing Housing Blight
In California's Inland Empire, abandoned houses are plentiful- the fallout from the subprime mortgage mess. Bill Fulton reports on what some cites are doing to keep the abandoned houses from dragging down neighborhoods.
Will Bay Area Transit Riders Get Wi-Fi?
BART, the region's rail transit agency, is negotiating with a private company to install a wireless network that would allow riders to check email and access the Internet.
Want to Renovate Your San Francisco Home? Good Luck.
San Francisco city planners take a hard line on renovating the city's stock of historic homes. Homeowners, architects, and even preservationists are saying the department has gone too far.
City Of Stockton Gives Preservationists A Leg Up
The City of Stockton, California votes to impose a temporary moratorium on the demolition of potentially historic buildings to allow staff time to create a permanent ordinance.
L.A. Subway Ridership Spikes in 2008
With gas prices rising beyond the comfort zones of many drivers, ridership on L.A.'s train system has seen record highs in the early months of 2008. For many in the city, the price is prompting a major paradigm shift in terms of mobility.
Streets May Become Temporary Recreational Spaces in San Francisco
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is considering a plan to temporarily close down certain streets to car traffic, creating public space for pedestrians -- similar to the successful Ciclovia that takes place weekly in Bogota, Colombia.
Parking Lot Hotels Serve Homeless
An outreach counseling group in Santa Barbara, California, has worked with the city to set up 12 parking lots where people can sleep in their cars at night -- an act that is illegal on city streets.
Developer To SF: Let's Make A Deal On Affordable Housing
Hoping to head off a competing ballot measure, Miami-based developer Lennar Corp. has voluntarily agreed to set aside 3,200 of the planned 10,000 homes on San Francisco's Hunters and Candlestick Point for low- and moderate-income families.
California Land Conservation Agreement Will Create Sprawl
A recent agreement between developers and environmental groups puts the conservationists in the unfortunate position of not being able to oppose a plan that is the epitome of sprawl, according this editorial.
Los Angeles Announces Plans To Recycle Wastewater For Drinking
Faced with increasing water shortages, Los Angeles Mayor Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has announced plans to recycle the city's sewage water to replenish drinking water qualifiers.
L.A.'s Subway Planners Thinking Bigger Is Better
The city is already struggling to fund its planned $5 billion subway extension. But planners think adding a spur through West Hollywood could convince federal officials to chip in more funding for the project.
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
