California

California Home Building Permits Drop Sharply

The number of permits issued for new home construction has taken a major downturn in California, where the amount of new home permits has fallen 47% since last year.

October 29, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Using Density Bonuses To Spur Affordable Housing Development

San Diego is hoping that a new density bonus will encourage developers to build mixed-income housing instead of buying their way out of affordable housing requirements.

October 28, 2006 - The Daily Transcript (San Diego)

Los Angeles Transit 'Consent Decree' Expires

Court oversight of the LAMTA, part of a ten year old settlement of a landmark civil rights lawsuit, will be will end after a federal judge rules that the agency, which has spent more than $1 billion to improve bus service, had complied with the agreement.

October 27, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

When A Neighborhood Vows To Stay Seamy

When an architectural firm decided to locate their office in the Tenderloin District in San Francisco, residents vowed to keep the gritty integrity of their neighborhood from changing.

October 26, 2006 - Wall Street Journal via The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

San Diego's Financial Trouble Hidden For Stadium Deal

Consultants find that city officials held back a glaring report detailing the city's failing finances to clear the way for municipal bond sales for a new downtown baseball stadium.

October 26, 2006 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

The 20-Minute Rule: Key To Successful Startups

Why is Silicon Valley the birthplace of successful startups?

October 25, 2006 - The New York Times

San Diego Hopes To Shed Its Military Town Image

With a diverse economy no longer dependent on military spending, the city is trying to lessen Uncle Sam's influence in its affairs and exert more control over its own destiny.

October 25, 2006 - Voice of San Diego

L.A.'s Urban Poor Face Worsening Housing Picture

As the city's core continues to gentrify, many low-income families are being left with few if any options for affordable housing.

October 25, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

The 'Ultimate Pedestrian Environment': Alleys

Alleys -- considered by many to be dangerous or neglected, can become a fertile ground for 'organic new urbanism', says architect David Winslow.

October 24, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Cities Fear Impacts Of California's Prop 90

Local governments in California weary of losing the ability to 'plan' are speaking out against the initiative's purported goals of reforming eminent domain and the valuation of regulated land.

October 23, 2006 - The Planning Report

Rock Music Meets Public Transit

A free concert by the rock group The Secret Machines at Los Angeles' Union Station hopes to get more people to consider riding buses and trains.

October 23, 2006 - LA Daily News

Public Transit's Role In Disaster Planning

As both a major target of terrorism and a valuable evacuation tool, disaster planning officials are taking a closer look at the vulnerabilities and possibilities for mass transit.

October 23, 2006 - The Contra Costa Times

Walking, Not Driving, On Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive

Rodeo Drive could change its name to Rodeo Promenade as Beverly Hills considers designating one block of the famous shopping street for pedestrians only.

October 22, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

The Case For California Prop 90: The Death of Eminent Domain

Leonard Gilroy, AICP, makes the case for why Californians should support Proposition 90, which he suggests will block eminent domain abuses and limit regulatory takings.

October 22, 2006 - Reason Foundation

Rents Rise As Housing Market Cools

While all eyes are on the potential housing bubble bursting, apartment rents are rising, over ten times more rapidly than home prices are falling in the Bay Area.

October 21, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Dripping Through the Cracks?

A senior biologist writes about using CEQA to asess marginal or unprotected wetlands and waters.

October 18, 2006 - Christopher A. Joseph & Associates: CEQA Expert

Investing In The Inner City

Golden Boy Partners aims to produce affordable housing for working class neighborhoods in L.A.

October 18, 2006 - The New York Times

Developer Makes NIMBYs Shareholders

The developer of a new condominium tower in Los Angeles gave local homeowner groups an equity interest in a future residential project in exchange for project approval.

October 18, 2006 - Los Angeles Business Journal

Plans For An Urban State Park Unveiled In L.A.

Plans have been unveiled for a new state park near downtown Los Angeles, and though the plot is slated at 32 acres, many of the big-name architects presenting plans were not afraid to push the boundaries by a couple thousand percent.

October 17, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Regulatory Takings Or Eminent Domain?

Property rights initiatives in four western states are hoping to draw in support from voters afraid of the spectre of eminent domain. But many see this as an inaccurate ploy.

October 17, 2006 - Grist

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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.