California
California Needs Rail, Not Roads
The recent vote against a new toll freeway in Orange County signals that California's don't want more roads. Instead, transportation dollars should go to building the state's high-speed rail system.
A Look at L.A.'s Density Bonus
This segment from Which Way, L.A.? discusses Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's density bonus plans.
Port of L.A.'s Clean Trucks Plan Draws Private Sector Critique
Differences between the clean trucks programs at the ports of Long Beach and L.A. may bring months of litigation, derailing clean air efforts at the nation's largest port complex.
Using Fees On Motorists To Fund Public Transit
A bill introduced in Sacramento could pave the way for Los Angeles County to raise $400 million dollars a year for public transit from motorists -- who'd pay more for gas or vehicle registration.
Building in the Danger Zone
This article from Next American City looks at the new land use ideas that are guiding development in disaster-prone areas.
Los Angeles' Brawl With Sprawl
Officials in Los Angeles were successful in implementing high-density growth policies to curb sprawl. However, a disconnect between culture, transportation policy, and the real estate market may have disastrous consequences.
Embracing Alleys in San Francisco
Alleys are a major part of the character of San Francisco, and many parts of the city are trying to embrace these unique aspects of the urban makeup.
Funding Bureaucracy Highlights L.A.'s Parks Deficit
The city of Los Angeles is currently sitting on more than $130 million dollars intended to build parks. But those funds are tied to council districts high in development, leaving districts with little development high and dry.
Irvine, Former Subprime Capital, Struggles in Wake of Meltdown
While housing markets in the rest of the country reel from the mortgage crisis, Irvine, the city that was once home to 18 subprime lenders, is seeing its local economy suffer as the effects of high profile bankruptcies ripples to other businesses.
San Francisco's New PD Talks About City's Challenges
Architect Magazine talks with San Francisco's new planning director, John Rahaim, about the urban planning challenges and issues in the city.
A Rerun In The Campaign For Mayor Of L.A.
Twenty years ago, Los Angeles voters chose Tom Bradley's "world city" vision over a slow-growth councilman's carping about overdevelopment. Voters may face the same choice - and one of the same candidates - in 2009.
Wi-Fi Plans Dropped Over Health Concerns
Officials in the California city of Sebastopol have gone back on an agreement with an Internet provider that was planning to create a municipal Wi-Fi network for the city. They cited health concerns in their decision.
New Bike Lanes Proposed in San Francisco
Officials in San Francisco are floating a plan that would add 34 more miles of bike lanes to the city, nearly doubling its current stock. The addition would require the removal of street parking and could take over some traffic lanes.
'Tent City' for Residents Only
A "tent city" established in the Southern California city of Ontario for occupation by homeless people has been temporarily shut down as city officials and police attempt to evict people without clear ties to the city.
Sprawl Slows Down in California
New census figures show that suburban growth is slowing down in the Sunbelt cities of California, Nevada and Arizona.
Review Halted for Major L.A. Housing Project
Review of a project that would have added more than 5,500 homes to the fringes of Los Angeles has been halted after a recent City Council vote. Many expect this to be the death knell for the project.
San Francisco's Little-Known Public Spaces
A policy requiring new commercial developments to include public spaces has created more than a dozen new public places in downtown San Francisco since the 1980s. Some say more effort is needed to make these public places known by the public.
Ballot Measure to Weigh Eminent Domain in California
Two ballot measures on the June ballot in California will challenge the state's eminent domain and rent control rules.
Viewing L.A.'s Density Debate From the Passenger's Seat
A Los Angeles Times columnist hears about the Los Angeles density controversy and sees its implications during a recent drive around town with County Commissioner Zev Yaroslavsky.
Long Beach Cruisers
The city of Long Beach, California, has initiated a bike sharing program for city officials. The program consists of 16 shared bikes, usable by city employees for short trips and errands around the city.
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
