California
City Bouts With COG Over Housing Allocation
The Southern California city of Simi Valley is opposing recommendations from a regional association of governments that suggest the city should increase its housing stock. The city council sees the increase as unrealistic, citing a lack of land.
A Week Without A Car
A reporter goes a week without a car in the San Francisco Bay Area in this article about the pros and cons of non-car transport. Though the monetary costs were lower, the cost of time was much higher, especially for an inexperienced transit user.
Legislating A Safer Bike Ride In California
The tragic death of a tri-athlete student while bicycling in southern California has sparked a bill to create a three-foot buffer for any vehicle passing a cyclist – but will it create more problems than it attempts to solve?
High Cost Of Living Blamed For Slowing CA Growth
The population growth rate has decline for the sixth year in a row in California, causing policymakers to voice concern over a future shortage in the state's educated workforce. High costs of living are blamed for the decline.
'Solar Trees' For Google's Parking Lot
Google plans to turn barren parking into a source for clean energy.
Could Los Angeles Lead The Way For Transit?
With the city already having pioneered the freeway and car culture 50 years ago, could Los Angeles now lead the United States towards a resurgence in public transit ridership?
Can Busy Residential Streets Be As Toxic As Freeways?
Findings from a new study on air pollution found that notwithstanding lower traffic volumes, "heavily traveled secondary highways" may be just as toxic as freeways laden with diesel trucks or major railyards.
Horse-Riding Citizens Fight Grocery Store
In one of few areas in L.A. zoned to allow horses, Burbank horse owners have convinced the local planning board to reject a plan to build a Whole Foods grocery store in their neighborhood. The retailer offered concessions, but the battle continues.
Some Funds Approved For San Jose BART Extension
Funding issues are compounding the troubles involved in expanding the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) to include San Jose and other areas in Silicon Valley. A recent allocation of funds is keeping the plan moving.
Leasing Retail Space In Transit-Oriented Developments
Fruitvale Village in Oakland, California, provides a valuable case study for designing and leasing retail space in transit-oriented development projects.
Northern California A Bright Spot For Train Travel
The Captiol Corridor between Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area -- Amtrak's third most popular line -- celebrates its 15-year anniversary and reports growing ridership and rider satisfaction.
The Inverse Relationship Between Age And Transit Use
A recent survey reveals that San Diego County senior citizens are less likely to use public transportation as they grow older. Many seniors cite their lack of experience, long waits, and a lack of adequate routes as keeping them from using transit.
Will Smart Growth Work In Los Angeles?
Giant mixed-use projects are coming, but are Angelenos ready to change their driving lifestyle?
An Air Quality Version Of An Economic Enterprise Zone?
In a bold, creative attempt to bring more federal and state funds to solve the air pollution problem in California's Central Valley, local leaders hope to declare the region an "air quality empowerment zone".
Cal-i-for-nia, Here We...Leave?
For the first time since 1994, more residents left California than arrived -- and this time the outflow includes even Hispanics. High housing costs are blamed for the shift in migration.
Don't Treat Suburbs As A 'Sin'
Columnist Steven Greenhut argues that Smart Growth ideologies mistakenly treat suburbia as a sin, and examines contracy evidence from a new study on suburban isolation and Wendell Cox's book, "War on the Dream."
Cohousing Projects Increasing Nationwide
Land has been purchased for what will be Oakland's fourth cohousing project, a collection of about 33 housing units with an underlying purpose of cooperation and community. Similar community housing projects are cropping up across the country.
The American Mall: Now The Public Space Of Choice?
The new form of the shopping mall -- lifestyle centers -- are fulfilling the original destiny of the American mall by "re-creating the essence of urban life", writes Virginia Postrel in a Los Angeles Times opinion.
River Restoration Begins In California
In California, the largest river restoration project in the West has begun as water formerly directed from the Owens River to the Los Angeles Aqueduct is rerouted along 62 miles of its original path to Owens Lake in Central California.
The NFL Versus Mixed-Use Development
A developer with big plans for a mixed-use complex has offered the City of Anaheim, California, $150 million dollars for land that the NFL has been scouting for a new franchise stadium.
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
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
