California
Tesla Banned From Using ‘Full Self-Driving’ Name in California
On the heels of multiple crashes and a federal investigation, a state law bars the company from calling their software Full Self-Driving to avoid misleading consumers about the need for driver assistance.
The Complexity of Homelessness in Los Angeles County
The homeless crisis is complicated and is associated with high housing costs, inadequate shelter spaces, deinstitutionalization, changes in the criminal justice system, and other factors.
Lawsuit Filed to Halt L.A.’s Mansion Tax
The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is among the groups suing to block the city of Los Angeles’ voter-approved ‘mansion tax.’
Data-Driven Effort to Re-envision Conservation and Prioritize Vulnerable Communities
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved the 2022 Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+), which focuses on environmental conservation and restoration, regional recreation, and rural recreation.
Black Wealth Builders Fund Supports Black Homeownership
A Bay Area loan fund provides Black homebuyers with zero-interest loans to meet their down payments. But is it ‘reparations?’
The Importance of Bus Stop Benches
Noticing a need in his community, a California mayor found a fast and affordable way to put seating at every bus stop in town.
O.C. City To Create Rental Registry to Enforce Rent Control Laws
Santa Ana will require landlords to register their properties and rent increases and is creating a seven-seat board to help enforce rent stabilization and settle disputes.
Oregon to End Sales of Gas-Powered Vehicles by 2035
There must be something about having a coast on the Pacific Ocean that makes states set policies to accelerate the end of the internal combustion engine.
S.F. Accelerates Parking Removal at Bus Stops From 7 Years to 18 Months
Reviewing changes in bulk will make it easier for the Municipal Transportation Agency to remove parking around bus stops in San Francisco.
L.A. ‘Wildlife Ordinance’ to Protect Biodiversity With Zoning Changes
The Los Angeles City Planning Commission recently approved a new Wildlife Ordinance. The City Council will make the final decision about the ordinance’s approval.
California Home to Almost One Third of U.S. Unhoused Population
Despite efforts at the state and local level to address the growing homelessness crisis, California is seeing the fastest increase in its unhoused population in the country.
L.A. Ends COVID Eviction Protections
Some of the nation’s longest-lasting eviction protections are set to expire in February, while the future of other renter assistance programs remains uncertain.
How the Restaurant Scene Became a Symbol of Gentrification
While redevelopment-related displacement is the result of broader market forces and policy decisions, restaurants and cafes have become an emotionally charged flashpoint for the debate over gentrification.
Identifying and Improving Schools Most In Need of Greening
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has developed an index to help identify the schools that are most in need of greening resources.
Critics Expect L.A.’s New ‘Mansion Tax’ to Chill Development Market
A new real estate transfer tax won the approval of L.A. voters after being promoted as a “mansion tax.” No some real estate and development experts are saying that the new transfer tax will have a much broader impact on the real estate market.
Orange County Lagging on Supportive Housing Goals
The county is far behind its goal of building 2,700 supportive housing units as the region grows more unaffordable.
California’s Year in Bike Policy
Bike and pedestrian advocates saw some big legislative and political wins in 2022.
Southern California Water District Declares Drought Emergency
State water officials say the region’s agencies will only receive 5 percent of their requested supplies for the start of 2023 due to intense drought conditions that continue to sap western water supplies.
Superfund Project to Deliver Massive Water Supply Boon to Los Angeles
The semi-arid region of Los Angeles is often mistaken for a desert, but the local water supply is also constrained by the environmental sins of the 20th century. The water supply equation of Los Angeles will soon change, however.
First Full Builder’s Remedy Application Filed in Santa Monica
In the time that it took Santa Monica to bring its housing plan into compliance with state requirements, a developer filed over a dozen preliminary applications under the obscure ‘builder’s remedy’ policy.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
