California
Free Riders Hurting S.F.'s Muni
Unpaid riders and broken fares boxes are causing budget woes for San Francisco's bus and rail system, Muni, according to the system's administrators. The agency estimates losses in the tens of millions of dollars.
Gated Communities Command A Premium
Houses in gated communities generally command values 5-7% higher than equivalent houses non-gated communities. Despite the rapid growth of gated communities, many critics question the value.
Should Gay Districts Be Preserved?
Long known internationally as America's "Gay Mecca", San Francisco's Castro District is seeing an influx of straight couples who find the district's amenities attractive. A movement is afoot to ensure the district retains its gay identity.
Will Growth-Averse Berkeley Go High-Rise?
In response to meeting regional housing demand requirements stipulated by the Association of Bay Area Governments, the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee of Berkeley, California, considers a high-rise development plan proposed by city staff.
Sometimes People Don't Mind Paying More
Sewer and water ratepayers in San Diego recognize that a rate hike is the only way to pay for replacing aging infrastructure.
Bond Money To Pour Into California Freeway Widening
The all-powerful California Transportation Commission is besieged by attacks from both Northern and Southern California leaders who argue for a greater share of the landmark $20 billion transportation bond fund approved by voters last November.
Green Energy For Los Angeles
The chair of L.A.'s municipally-owned Department of Water and Power outlines how the city will build up its portfolio of green power by 2010.
'Adult Studio' Better Use For Historic Building Than Housing
After the San Francisco Planning Department rejects several condo projects for the city's historic State Armory and Arsenal Building on the edge of the Mission District, an Internet pornography studio buys the building to make films.
Save Downtown With Restrictive Zoning
Why industrial areas are vital to healthy cities.
San Francisco Muni Is Running Late
A recent report has revealed some shortcomings of San Francisco's Municipal Railway system: Muni busses and railcars arrive on schedule only 70%of the time. The issue is underlined by a 1999 measure that sought an on-time percentage of 85% by 2004.
A Comprehensive Affordable Housing Strategy Is More Than Just Inclusionary Zoning
Participating on Oakland’s Inclusionary Housing Blue Ribbon Commission, a home builder points to the futility of inclusionary zoning and lists effective alternatives that should be included in a comprehensive approach to building affordable housing.
Critics Sound Off On 'Ineffective' So Cal Association Of Governments
As cities and counties contribute millions to its budget, the Southern California Association of Governments continues to take flak from planners and local officials who deplore its unrealistic planning efforts and inaccurate growth projections.
Putting Schools At The Center
A movement is afoot to make schools more than just places to store kids for eight hours a day. Planning Director Gail Goldberg and child advocate Yolie Flores Aguilar are helping lead the way in Los Angeles.
Creating An African American Cultural Center In West Oakland
This report from NPR looks at a neighborhood activist who's leading a movement to revitalize a rundown West Oakland neighborhood into a black cultural district.
Affordable Housing Vs. Disneyland
The possibility of an affordable housing development being built near the gates of Disneyland sent the park's officials to a recent Anaheim City Council Meeting. A vote expected by many to pass resulted in a tie, and the housing project faded away.
City Vote Urges Neighbor To Zone Urban Farm
A neighboring city has tendered its support of a plan to set aside 5 acres of a planned housing development in Mountain View, California, as an educational urban farm space. Some officials see the vote of support as outsider meddling.
Making Public Policy at 2 A.M.
Bill Fulton, smart growth expert and a City Council member in Ventura, California, recounts a marathon eight hour city council meeting and two controversial land use projects the council approves.
L.A.'s Grand Avenue Project Approved
Plans for a broad mixed-use, transit-oriented development have received approval from the Los Angeles City Council and County Board of Supervisors, moving closer to the creation of a what civic leaders hope is a cultural center in downtown L.A.
L.A. Also Looks To Create Ctiywide Wi-Fi Network
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has announced plans to create a citywide network providing free wireless Internet access. L.A. will join more than 300 cities nationwide that offer wireless access.
Why A Bullet Train Is No Silver Bullet
James E. Moore, chairman of the department of industrial and systems engineering at USC, argues that high speed rail linking major metro areas is not a solution for California's transportation needs.
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
