California
Orange County Goes Urban, In A Suburban Sort Of Way
A 1,400-unit condo project in Irvine demonstrates Orange County's newfound urban qualities, as well as its reluctance to shake suburban design values, according to Bill Fulton, who recently visited the construction site.
San Francisco's Congestion Pricing Plan Receives Conditional Federal Funding
The Bay Area received $158 million from a federal congestion pricing program for improvements to traffic, transit, and parking, but it is conditional upon San Francisco and California legislative approval for the controversial tolls on Doyle Drive.
Personal Tales Of Road Rage In The City Of Angels
As more cyclists and runners use the streets of Los Angeles, incidents of road rage and accidents are on the rise.
Downtown L.A. Is Improving, But Developers Are Driving
With a surge in population and some large-scale retail and entertainment complexes in the works, downtown L.A. is in the midst of a major urban shift. But as this column from the Los Angeles Times argues, developers are shaping the growth.
Transit Project Could Remake The Image Of San Francisco
The design competition for San Francisco's Transbay Terminal has the potential to redefine the city, writes John King.
From Flea Market To TOD
A flea market space located adjacent to a planned expansion of the Bay Area Rapid Transit system in San Jose, California, may be replaced with a mixed use transit village.
Drivers Sidelined By Critical Mass Riders
San Francisco's Critical Mass bike ride has become an institution in the city, giving cyclists a monthly chance to physically advocate bike awareness.
The Smoggiest Town In America
The Central California town of Arvin exceeds federal ozone standards more often than any other city in the nation, according to EPA figures. But for Arvin residents, the smog has only local effects, not local sources.
Advocates Upset Over Proposed Changes To Affordable Housing Policy
Housing advocates in Sacramento are up in arms over proposed changes to the city's housing policy that would shift responsibility for building affordable units from the developer to the city -- changes they say will limit the policy's effectiveness.
L.A. Joins California Cities In Park Smoking Ban
Joining the ranks of Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Diego, the city of Los Angeles has approved a ban on smoking in public parks.
The Difficulty With Implementing Planning Ideals
New urbanist designs can be beautiful in the hands of experts, but the developer's version of idealistic plans may be something else altogether, says Morris Newman, who examines the design of a 500-acre project in Fresno.
Will The Auto Mall Come To Berkeley?
The City of Berkeley, California, is considering changing is long-held policy against auto malls within city limits.
Multi-Family Homes Overtake Single-Family Homes In L.A.
In Los Angeles and much of Southern California, more multi-family homes are being planned and built than single-family residences.
Long Ignored, Sleepy Wine Valley Town Gets Champagne Treatment
Nestled in the world famous Napa Valley, the City of Napa, California, is undergoing a rapid transformation from an affordable industrial town into an increasingly upscale community.
Affordable Housing Buyers Trapped By Association Fees
Even when lower-income households are lucky enough to find an affordable home to purchase, high association fees can put a damper on their initial good fortune.
More Parking Or Transit?
Voters in San Francisco will have to choose between two ballot measures -- one increasing parking in the city, the other funding more transit -- during this fall's election.
Californians Bucking National Trend By Guzzling Less Gas
While American drivers are burning record amounts of gas to feed their motoring habits, a weird thing is happening in the freeway state – Californians continue to consume less gasoline. Sustained high gas prices may play a role by changing behavior.
Minneapolis Bridge, And Thousands Others, Deemed 'Structurally Deficient'
The collapsed Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis was deemed 'structurally deficient' as early as 1990, as are 77,000 other bridges in the U.S.
California's Best and Worst Downtowns
San Francisco and San Diego are the No. 1 downtowns in California, according to California Planning & Development Report. L.A. is #4, behind Long Beach. Last? Fresno, Fresno, Fresno.
San Francisco To Vote On Public Transit, Parking
The Board of Supervisors approved a ballot measure that would increase funding the city's maligned transit agency and head off another measure aimed at repealing the city's parking limits.
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
