California

View of Los Angeles River at Glendale Narrows segment with tree and overpass

Downpours Yield 33 Billion Gallons of Captured Stormwater in L.A. County

County officials hope reclamation efforts will help the region reduce its dependence on imported water supplies.

January 19, 2023 - ABC7

Regional Transit

California Could Cut $2 Billion in Transit Spending

The governor’s proposed budget would slash public transit investment to help make up for a projected $22.5 billion deficit.

January 17, 2023 - Sfist

"Caution! Extreme heat danger" sign in Death Valley National Park with desert mountains in background

The Importance of Cooling Centers

A new UCLA study examines how formal and informal cooling centers are being used in Los Angeles County.

January 16, 2023 - UCLA Newsroom

A California Gull walks along the shore, searching for food while surrounded by a swarm of bugs.

L.A.’s Water Diversions Threaten Critical Habitat Far to the North

Water levels at Mono Lake, nestled in a stunningly beautiful location on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevadas that provides the eastern gateway to Yosemite, have fallen to a critical level of a local population of nesting gulls.

January 16, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Flooded park in Pakley, California during late 2022 atmospheric river storm

California’s Reservoirs are Filling Up, but For How Long?

Recent storms are bringing plenty of water to parched parts of California, but scientists warn the relief won’t be a long-term solution to longer, drier periods.

January 15, 2023 - The New York Times

A long rail bridge, rusted and old, crosses a long stretch of water with hills and clouds on the other side.

Meta’s Plans to Revive an Old Rail Bridge Halted During the Pandemic

The company formerly known as Facebook’s once planned to revive the Dumbarton Rail Bridge across the San Francisco Bay. Those plans are as derelict as the bridge.

January 12, 2023 - The New York Times

Oil Pump in Los Angeles

Lawsuit Challenges L.A. Oil Drilling Ban

Oil companies with operations in the city of Los Angeles are suing over an ordinance that seeks to phase out drilling within city limits due to public health and environmental concerns.

January 12, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles, California

City Council Controversy Threatens L.A.’s Proposed Downtown Plan

A Los Angeles Times editorial explains how political intrigue is spilling over into planning frustration in the city of Los Angeles.

January 11, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

San Diego skyline and apartment buildings

Proposed San Diego Code Update Seeks to Increase Density Near Transit

A set of proposed updates to the city’s development code would expand TOD zones and encourage more backyard dwellings.

January 9, 2023 - Del Mar Times

People lounging on grass in Alamo Square park in San Francisco overlooking painted ladies Victorian houses and city skyline

Predictions for San Francisco’s Public Spaces

In 2023, will the city’s public spaces be reclaimed by cars, or will pandemic-era interventions lead to permanent change?

January 5, 2023 - San Francisco Chronicle

Google Street View of San Diego Central Library building, slated to be converted into temporary shelter for unhoused residents

Old San Diego Library to Become Shelter

The long-disused Central Library will accommodate 26 unhoused residents starting later this month.

January 5, 2023 - Voice of San Diego

View of Los Angeles skyline on sunny day with palm trees in foreground

Opinion: Los Angeles Needs More Housing, Fast

The shortage of housing at all price points in the region is the main driver of high costs and the growing homelessness crisis.

January 4, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

6th Street Viaduct against the Los Angeles skyline at dusk

L.A. Planning Department Adjusts to State Housing Laws

Los Angeles Director of Planning Vince Bertoni was recently interviewed the effects of new state planning and housing laws in the state’s most populous city.

January 3, 2023 - The Planning Report

San Diego Waterfront

Opinion: To Meet Climate Goals, San Diego Must Improve Bike Infrastructure

The city wants to drastically reduce carbon emissions, but bike advocates argue it has not done enough to make biking and walking in the city safer and more convenient.

January 3, 2023 - San Diego Magazine

The San Francisco Bay Area is visible from San Carlos, across the bay to the East Bay. Mount Diablo looms in the background.

California Continues its Losing Streak

California's population continued to shrink for a third consecutive year according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimates for the year ending July 2022, but business columnist Jonathan Lansner saw glimmers of hope in the data.

January 3, 2023 - The Mercury News

A shipping freighter, bearing agricultural materials, floats on a narrow waterway, bound by levees.

Complaint Blames Bay Delta Ecological Crisis on Racism

Advocates hope to enlist the federal government in forcing state regulators to set clean water standards for the San Francisco Bay Delta.

January 2, 2023 - Stocktonia

Power transmission lines surrounded by orange California poppies and silhouette of mountains in background

Why California’s Power Lines Take So Long to Build

The years-long permitting process for new transmission lines is slowing the state’s shift to clean energy.

January 2, 2023 - Governing

Large numbers of young people, some wearing and masks and others note, walk around an outdoor shopping mall in Southern California.

Five Takeaways From California’s 2022 Demographic Changes

California’s recent population losses could provide an opportunity for state leaders to address the challenges facing the state.

January 1, 2023 - Mercury News

Los Angeles Grand Park

Public-Private Partnerships Needed to Create More Parks in Downtown Los Angeles

A new report calls for an increase in public-private partnerships (P3s) to help create and enhance parks projects throughout Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA).

December 30, 2022 - LA Downtown News

Church

Op-Ed: Let Churches Build Housing

The ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ movement could get a boost from a proposed bill in the California state legislature.

December 30, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.