California

Saving the Commons: LA's South Central Farm

The battle over how to protect the nation's largest urban garden from redevelopment has gained international attention. It also caused Joan Baez and Daryl Hannah to sit in a tree.

June 14, 2006 - Grist

Gentrification Driving Out Families From Dense L.A. Neighborhoods

In some of Los Angeles' densest neighborhoods, higher rents and property values have resulted in a drop in school enrollments -- an early indicator that families with children are leaving the urban core.

June 13, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Naming Streets In America's Fastest-Growing County

As a planner for Riverside County, California, John Trichak's monumental task is to approve names for new streets in fast-growing unincorporated Riverside County.

June 13, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Will Planning Become Central Issue In California Governor Race?

Voters in the Central Valley and other parts of California are fed up with traffic and air pollution. Can Angelides tap into that frustration in his race for governor?

June 13, 2006 - The Sacramento Bee

California County Secession Attempt Fails - Time For Regional Governance?

Political columnist Dan Walters opines on the failure of northern Santa Barbara County to break away and form Mission County. Walters suggests that counties may no longer be relevant and suggests replacing them with regional entities.

June 11, 2006 - The Sacramento Bee

L.A. May Run Partly On Wyoming Wind Power

The Los Angeles power department has approved a contract with a Wyoming wind farm to purchase the equivalent of 1% of the city's annual energy needs. The city council is expected to finalize the contract within weeks.

June 11, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Measure 37-like Initiative Defeated In Napa County, California

As with Oregon's Measure 37, a property-rights group sponsored a measure to compensate land owners for losses resulting from county land use decisions. Though defeated, a similar measure, "Protect our Homes", will appear on the November state ballot.

June 10, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Transportation Taxes, Property Rights Initiatives Lose In California

While many eyes were on the Democratic primary, CP&DR was focused on California's land use ballot measures. Voters said no to sales tax increases for transportation purposes in five central and northern California counties.

June 9, 2006 - California Planning & Development Report

Brownfields to Art Parks

When is a brownfield not a brownfield? When it's transformed by art works, as in two U.S. cities.

June 6, 2006 - The Trust for Public Land

L.A. Stakeholders Perform 'Walk Audit' Downtown

L.A.'s downtown Business Improvement District calls on local business people, property owners, and residents to get stepping in L.A.'s Fashion District, to evaluate the area's walkability. The BID has $1.6 million to make improvements by 2008.

June 5, 2006 - Los Angeles Downtown News

Weighing The Costs And Benefits Of Rooftop Gardens

An upcoming Los Angeles symposium will focus on greening the city's rooftops and overcoming the high implementation costs that have kept gardens off the roofs of skyscrapers.

June 5, 2006 - Los Angeles Downtown News

'Smart Card' Technology Proving Troublesome To Bay Area Transit Operators

Once hailed the transit-pay mechanism of the future, the cards have become one of Bay Area transit's biggest flops. Yet the money keeps flowing while the costs keep rising.

June 4, 2006 - The Contra Costa Times

What's Driving Children Out Of San Francisco?

It's been well documented that San Francisco has few households with children, and locals know that schools are closing because of declining enrollment. Yet pre-schoolers are on the rise -- why are families leaving the city before kindergarten?

June 2, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Next Generation Business Parks

Turning sprawling office parks into compact transit villages may be solve both congestion and energy issues at once.

May 31, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Is Keeping Wal-Mart Out of a Community 'Class Warfare'?

The controversial use of eminent domain to keep Wal-Mart out of Hercules, CA is criticized as a means of keeping lower-income shoppers away.

May 30, 2006 - Common Dreams

L.A. Becoming More Bicycle-Friendly

Projects to make L.A. more bike friendly include expanding bike lanes and paths, and adding 800 bike racks to the more than 2,500 racks already in place across the city.

May 28, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance Ruled Unconstitutional In San Diego

A judge has ruled the City of San Diego's 10 percent inclusionary zoning ordinance unconstitutional. Building industry officials are pleased, although the decision "could bankrupt the affordable housing fund".

May 28, 2006 - Voice of San Diego

Courting Business With Websites And Zoning Overlays

Southern California cities are using technology and other innovative techniques to promote economic development and attract local companies.

May 27, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Architect Looks Beyond New Urbanism's 'Fake Facade'

"Cruz’s inspiration...came from a critical approach to the trends in new urbanism, which he says 'only address aesthetics, creating a fake facade of difference without considering the lifestyle of the community.' He says the downtown redevelopment of San Diego is an example of this kind of 'suburban planning,' meaning that he feels it is dressed up in high-end urban aesthetics without addressin

May 26, 2006 - Architectural Record

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.