California
Malls: Old vs New
A fight over a new development in suburban L.A. accentuates not only the tenacity and bitterness of local politics, but also two radically different visions for 21st century retail: large enclosed shopping malls or smaller New Urbanist templates.
All Eyes On Air District's Sprawl Fee Litigation
California's Central Valley, where farms are rapidly being converted to tract housing, has the worst air quality in the state. A new "sprawl fee" on developments based on vehicle trips they would generate has spawned a legal challenge from builders.
In Monterey California, It's Slow-Growth Advocates Versus Developers and Immigrants
What to do with an area that produces some 80 percent of the nation's lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach that lacks in housing for migrant workers? Why build more housing of course. Not so fast say "slow-growth" advocates.
California's Largest Wetlands Project
A historic moment for the complex and ambitious Bolsa Chica restoration project.
California? Dreaming!
The state has the distinction of being the least-affordable in the nation, according to a new report from the California Building Industry Association.
Ride The Bus, Surf The Web
A pilot program in the San Francisco Bay Area will allow some bus riders to use wireless technology to browse the Internet, giving some commuters a head up on their morning email.
Los Angeles Wrestles With Accelerating Gentrification
As Los Angeles' old neighborhoods are scrubbed clean and the city begins to embrace density, gentrification is threatening the way of life for residents in many communities.
Court Rejects Bush Plan To Log In National Monument
Federal judge turns down Bush administration plans to increase logging in the Giant Sequoia National Monument which contains up to two-thirds of the world's giant seqoias.
An Urban Bill Of Rights For Berkeley
This column from The Berkeley Daily Planet sees cultural values being rapidly depleted in favor of quick developments and short-term profits. To remind planners and citizens what could be, an 'Urban Bill of Rights' has been written.
Exotic Mortgages Proving Financially Fatal
Dramatic increases in foreclosures in California, Colorado, Las Vegas and Phoenix are being attributed to an "overwhelming use of creative mortgage products."
Plans To Build Two Towers In Downtown Los Angeles
Developer's plans to build towers near Los Angeles' Staples Center area fits in with the vision of turning downtown Los Angeles into a sports-entertainment hub.
Global Warming Legislation Could Have A Positive Economic Impact
While the California Chamber of Commerce has targeted the Global Warming Solutions Act as a "job killer", predicting higher gas and electricity prices, a new report from UC Berkeley concludes that the legislation could boost the state's economy.
L.A.'s New Historic Preservation Chief
The Planning Report features a candid interview with Ken Bernstein, chief of Los Angeles' newly-created Planning Department's Office of Historic Preservation.
Fresno Mayor And City Council Disagree On Global Warming Agreement
The City Council of Fresno, California, endorsed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement on July 18th to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but the city's Mayor has stated he won't sign off on the proposal.
California Considers Global Warming Solutions Act
California, the world's eight largest economy, is considering measures to address global change.
Saving The World's First Motel
Can the world's first motel in San Luis Obispo, dilapidated and surrounded by chain link and barbed wire, be restored to better reflect its historic plaque and Spanish-style architecture?
San Francisco Seeing A Shift To The Suburbs
A new census survey offers a startling look at the de-population of older cities in the San Francisco Bay Area, especially among African Americans, as the flight to the more affordable, outer East Bay communities continues.
Do Voter Initiatives Improve Public Infrastructure Investment?
Recent research on the initiative process questions the efficiency and effectiveness of direct voter involvement in public infrastructure investment.
Do Speed Bumps Increase Traffic Safety?
Randall O'Toole and Kathleen Calongne examine the findings from a recent report that suggests that speed humps make streets 50 to 60 percent safer for children, and reach a different conclusion.
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
