California
Automakers Announce Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars
Honda, Ford, and GM will put hydrogen fuel cell cars on the road in Southern California.
Green Condos in Downtown L.A. Defy the Cooling Housing Market
Developers plan to continue with a major project in downtown L.A. despite a slowing market, confident in demand for environmentally-friendly homes and walkable, urban neighborhoods.
When the Museum of Tolerance Loses Neighborhood Tolerance
West Los Angeles neighbors of the Museum of Tolerance are opposing a planned addition to the popular Holocaust education center due to increased traffic and noise, and late-night private functions.
San Jose: 'Not For Sale By Owner'
Economist Peter Gordon reflects on a recent tour of San Jose, California -- where the so-called "revitalized" downtown is dead and nearly one-third of the city is blighted.
Congress Members May Oppose Funding For California High Speed Rail
A dispute over two possible routes for California's high-speed rail line has elevated to members of Congress formally opposing federal funding for a route that does not include their districts.
Sacramento To Decide Fate Of Downtown Railyards
The fate of Developer Richard Rich's vision for 240 acres of downtown Sacramento will be decided by the city's planning commission upcoming vote.
West Hollywood's Laundry List Of Poor Planning
This blog post from LAist bemoans the rampant development of West Hollywood and outlines "Ten Reasons to be Pissed at the WeHo City Planners".
New Homes Being Built In Wildfire Zones
New development in Southern California's wildfire zones are required to provide safety features such as special landscaping and fireproof materials. Critics say cost to society is high.
Friday Funny: Disney's 'Urban Adventure'
As the Disney Corporation and the city of Anaheim, California, squabble over a proposal to build affordable housing near the Happiest Place on Earth, Morris Newman suggests turning the affordable housing project into an "urban theme park".
The Wasteland Of L.A.'s Toy District
This slideshow from Polar Inertia looks at the Toy District of Los Angeles -- an area that is not nearly as fun as its name would suggest.
Beavers Allowed To Stay Despite Flood Threat
Beavers that have moved into and made a home of part of a creek in the Bay Area city of Martinez will be allowed to stay, despite the flood threat their dam poses to the city's downtown. Many are calling the beavers the city's new tourist attraction.
Bay Area Drivers Would Support Global Warming Gas Tax
A surprising poll shows that Bay Area residents -- who already pay the nation's highest gas prices -- would agree to a 25-cent gas tax if revenue were applied to reduce global warming. Efforts are underway to put that support to a vote.
Air Boards & MPOs Must Team Up To Reduce Carbon Emissions
The key to meeting carbon reduction goals lies in reducing transportation emissions through changing land use. But to do so requires air resources boards and the many metropolitan planning organizations to play key roles.
People Power
Volunteer-run neighborhood councils in Los Angeles are gaining political power and showing what a new kind of politics could look like.
Possible New Route For L.A.'s 'Subway To The Sea'
Building a "Subway to the Sea" in Los Angeles has been on the table for years, with local residents staunchly opposed to the rail line extension that would tunnel underneath their upscale neighborhoods. But now a new route is being proposed.
Pedestrian-Friendly City Plans Fall Apart
Plans for a pedestrian-friendly city near Sacramento, California, have fallen short of goals, creating neighborhoods that are just as car-oriented and car-dependent as other nearby suburbs.
Los Angeles Considers Development Process Overhaul
Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti is proposing much-needed changes to the way L.A. facilitates neighborhood development.
Mitigating Fire Damage in L.A. County
In a tough month for Southern California, L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky claims that infrastructure investment and land use policies lessened the damage of the fires in the county -- more so than in other Southern California counties.
Historic Hotels Approved To Be Demolished To Create Surface Parking
No treat for preservationists on this Halloween, as the City Council of Stockton, California approves demolition of historic hotels to build surface parking lots.
Congestion Pricing Facing Uphill Battle In San Francisco
London Mayor Ken Livingstone discusses how congestion pricing came about in 2003, and the key role the business community played. Unlike London or NYC, downtown San Francisco merchants fear that congestion pricing will only be bad for business.
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
