California
Sell It As 'Smart Growth'
Savvy real estate developers who can promote their projects as smart growth developments are attracting significant capital from public pension funds -- regardless of the actual merits of the project.
Land Use Policy Paralysis On California Coast
Voters in Monterey County, California, have rejected environmentalists' general plan initiative, and appear to have tossed aside a county-written plan as well. The June 5 election was the latest conflict in the seven-year general plan process.
California Needs To Follow Sacramento's Regional Planning Model
A recent editorial argues that the successful model of regional planning in the Sacramento region known as the "Blueprint" provides an alternative to sprawl that needs to be applied statewide, and identifies current state legislation to do just that.
Transportation Expert Urges Napa To Support Higher Densities To Reduce Global Warming
Transportation expert Reid Ewing appeared in Napa to tout higher densities and mixed-use development. The county is updating it transportation plan and considering a second attempt to pass a transportation sales tax measure.
When TV Meets A Real Place, Prices Can Soar
The primetime Fox television show "The OC" and MTV's "Laguna Beach" may have helped increased real estate prices in Orange County, California.
San Francisco Public Schools' Battle To Survive
With high housing costs driving families out of San Francisco, the city's schools are trying innovative ways to improve education and attract the dwindling number of students.
'Scripted Neighborhoods' By A Developer Who Defines Our Time
Do great civic spaces evolve or can they be invented? A look at the impact of "Disney-esque' developer Rick Caruso, the creator of The Grove, a successful retail complex in Los Angeles.
Iconic Hippie Neighborhood At Gentrification Crossroads
Ex-hippies-turned-homeowners and younger drifters have different expectations from San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury neighborhood.
Urban Parks: For Nature Or People?
After a devastating fire, competing visions emerge for restoring Los Angeles' Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in the nation.
California Farmland Mitigation Policies Grow
Cities and counties in California's Central Valley are starting to adopt policies to offset the development of farmland. The new policies require developers to fund or purchase agricultural conservation easements.
California Wine Country Develops Resort Status
The Northern California wine country town of Napa is on its way to becoming a high-class resort, with many housing and resort developers breaking ground on big projects.
After Kelo: New Challenges To Eminent Domain Abuse
New Kelo-fighting measures make their way to ballots.
City And School At Odds Over Massive North San Jose Redevelopment Plan
North San Jose's redevelopment plan calls for 32,000 apartments and 7 million sq.ft of industry along the light rail line, but demand for the latter has dropped. Now the school district wants 4 new schools while the city insists only 1 is necessary.
Climate Protection & Land Use: California Begins To Address The Connection
Land use is finally being addressed in California as an intrinsic part of the state's global warming reduction strategy, thanks to passage of the Global Warming Solutions Act and a recent lawsuit by the attorney general against a sprawling county.
Berkeley's Green Blueprint
Strict guidelines have been proposed in Berkeley, California, that would require local residents and businesses to make broad energy efficiency improvements and to make other environmentally-conscious lifestyle changes.
Collaborating For Greener, Healthier Cities
For 37 years, L.A.-based non-profit TreePeople has advocated an enlightened method of community and governmental engagement to create healthier urban ecosystems and built environments.
Veteran Architect Jan Van Tilburg Evaluates Los Angeles
Having watched L.A. evolve for over three decades, architect Jan van Tilburg has dedicated himself to producing the high-quality, dense, multi-unit housing that the city desperately needs.
Fare Hikes And Service Cuts For Bus Riders In Chicago
Facing large budget deficits, the Chicago Transit Authority has announced plans to raise fares and cut service.
Los Angeles Increases Transit Fares
After a heated public hearing that drew 1,500 people, the LAMTA board approved a compromise proposal that will increase fares, though less than originally planned.
Global Warming Regulation Warms Up In California
State agencies in California are starting to review projects based on their greenhouse gas contributions, an approach that may conflict with the state's energy policy.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
