California
Baby Steps to Downtown Living
Downtown L.A. is redeveloping into a residential neighborhood. But is it baby-friendly?
Dry Dry West
This article from National Geographic looks at the increasing strain on the water supplying the western U.S.
Funding Proposal May Halt California's High-Speed Rail Plans
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wanted lawmakers to pull a nearly $10 billion bill from the November ballot that would fund a long-sought high-speed rail system, but he now wants the legislation to require private funding partnerships.
L.A.'s 'Ecosystem' Beginning to Crack Under Hollywood Strike
The Hollywood writer's strike is beginning to have ripple effects throughout the Los Angeles economy, and has already cost the city $1.4 billion in lost wages.
Hot Air: Jerry Brown Becomes Climate Change Warrior
Former California Governor Jerry Brown, now the state's attorney general, is vowing to sue cities and counties that do not take climate change into consideration during general plan updates.
Lessons From Below Sea Level
Global warming is exacerbating the threat of flooding in low-lying areas such as Holland and California's Sacramento Delta. Politicians in California are looking to Holland for examples of how to prevent flooding from happening.
Train Funding Lowers Ridership in L.A.
Funding for L.A.'s rail projects is lowering transit ridership, according to this op-ed based on an analysis of transportation spending, subsidies and boarding statistics.
The Emergence of the Northern California Megaregion
The powerful northern California "megaregion" was revealed when it was awarded $840 million by the state Transportation Commission to the amazement and chagrin of southern California, which had been expecting to receive the majority of state funds.
Many Upset About Plans to Keep Industrial Lands Industrial
Plans to keep nearly 80% of downtown L.A.'s industrial lands exclusively industrial has developers and business leaders up in arms.
Revitalization Edging Out Blacks in San Francisco
A new light rail line, a number of condo projects and a broad revitalization plan are changing the face of San Francisco's Bayview district. Many in the neighborhood see the changes pushing out blacks.
'Affordable-By-Design' Recommended For San Francisco
The Examiner looks at the loss of middle-class housing in San Francisco, and how, based on a new report by a local urban think tank, allowing more flexibility in zoning would allow affordable, but market-rate housing to meet the demand.
Bikeable Cities: Point-Counterpoint
Part of a week-long series, Randal O'Toole and blogger Will Campbell debate why some cities are good for cyclists, how they got there, and why L.A. is still far off.
BART Transit Village Idea Up In Air
Plans to develop a transit village around one of the San Francisco Bay Area's BART stations is gaining support, but some local officials are voicing concerns over the increased load on city infrastructure and services.
Not Everyone Wants To Protect L.A.'s Industrial Lands
The fate of industrial properties is the subject of a huge, ongoing battle in Los Angeles. City planners and economic development boosters want to prevent conversions to residential uses — much to the consternation of free-market advocates.
Bike Commuting: Point-Counterpoint
As part of a week-long series, Randal O'Toole and blogger Will Campbell discuss and debate bike commuting and what cities should or shouldn't do to encourage it.
Environmentalists May Delay High Speed Rail In California
With the $10 billion bond slated for the November ballot in California, the latest twist in the long saga of delays is that environmentalists, unhappy with the proposed route into the Bay Area from the Central Valley, threaten to litigate the EIR.
L.A.'s Public Squares Leave Much To Be Desired
This piece from the Los Angeles Times Magazine looks at the recent trend of including public squares in high-profile L.A. projects, and examines why they don't really work in the traditional sense.
Interest Groups To Determine Future of More Than 140,000 Acres
Following PG&E's bankruptcy, the private nonprofit Stewardship Council was assigned the task of conserving and reorganizing PG&E's 140,000 acres located in the Sierra Nevada and Upper Cascade Mountains.
Simple Solutions To California's Water Shortage
Years of low rainfall are causing many in California to think hard about diminishing supplies of water. In this commentary, author Peter Gleick argues that wise water use and management -- not big-scale infrastructure projects -- is the solution.
L.A.'s Subway Plans Should Look To Public-Private Partnerships
L.A.'s regional transit system needs a spine, and the "Subway to the Sea" from downtown to the westside could be that spine. But to make it happen, the city needs to think about a public-private partnership, according to this commentary.
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
