California
Extreme Pressure Building Along California's San Andreas Fault
New research in Nature indicates that conditions are right for a 100-mile stretch of California's San Andreas Fault to release pressure that has been building.
How To Fix Urban School Design And Development
Former California State Architect Steven Castellanos outlines the changes that would be required to change how schools are designed and built if they are to become centers of communities.
City Chooses Economic Development Over Environment
Planning commissioners in the City of Tracy cite a CEQA provision as they choose the environmentally un-friendly alternative -- a sprawling subdivision of 500 new homes.
San Diego Prefers Transit To Highways
An independent review panel of experts has challenged the transportation aims of the San Diego Association of Governments, saying it has focused too much on auto-oriented development and is essentially promoting sprawl.
Californians To Vote On Property Rights Initiative In November
"Kelo" comes to California on Nov. 7 when voters will consider the "Protect Our Homes" initiative. Having qualified for the ballot, the initiative may sharply restrict local government's ability to regulate land use, similar to Oregon's Measure 37.
Los Angeles Recruits 'Dense' Talent At AIA Convention
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's quest for "elegant density" brings him to the annual convention of the American Institute of Architects, where he emphasizes his commitment to high-quality urban design.
California Dreaming: Why The Golden State Still Lures Newcomers
Even with high real estate prices, traffic congestion, wildfires, and the possibility of a major earthquake, people from around the world and across the nation, continue to relocate to California. Why?
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Bloggers
Northern California's Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is the subject of a wide variety of blogs, which chronicle the good, the bad, and the, well, ugly.
Stockton Leaves Its Crime-Ridden Past Behind
Once rife with crime, Stockton is taking baby steps towards reducing the crime rate and attracting development to one of the Central Valley's burgeoning population centers.
Environmental Law Halts Bike Plan In San Francisco
A 1970 environmental law, the California Environmental Quality Act, was used to temporarily halt San Francisco's bike plan from being implemented. The law ensures environmental review of projects that plaintiff's felt was inadequate for the plan.
Understanding Gentrification In San Francisco
Randy Shaw counters the San Francisco Chronicle's analysis of gentrification in San Francisco.
Developing The Un-Park In San Francisco's Presidio
A stream of high-dollar developments have been popping up in San Francisco's Presidio, a former Army base and currently the only park in the National Park Service's collection that is operated privately. Some feel the developments don't fit the site.
Urban Gentrification Typifies Growing Economic Polarization
A snapshot of urban gentrification in San Francisco shows what is happening throughout the U.S., according to a new Brookings Report. The middle class is not only losing ground, but entire neighborhoods, and the consequences are far-reaching.
How The Automobile Changed Southern California
Los Angeles Times Special Commemorative Edition looks at how cars have defined the culture and identity of Southern California.
Radio Report Looks At Improving L.A. River
From increasing riverside parks to removing the concrete riverbed, many ideas for improving the Los Angeles River have been simmering for years. This radio report introduces many in the city who are calling on planners to revive the forgotten river.
Building Industry Blames Onerous Regulations For Housing Shortage
In the second of two reports, the California Building Industry Association asserts that "red tape and regulations", primarily the California Environmental Quality Act, prevent builders from meeting housing demand and boosting the state's economy.
Mountain House, A New City, Builds Up
Eventually, 44,000 residents will call Mountain House home. Currently, about 4,000 people live in the much-fretted-over planned development.
Comparing A Manhattan Landmark With L.A.'s Grand Avenue Project
The Frank Gehry-designed Grand Avenue project in downtown Los Angeles looks to a well-known Manhattan urban landmark for inspiration. Will it work?
Top L.A. Building Official Brought To Court In Orange County
A controversial home remodel has generated a difficult situation for Andrew Adelman, general manager of the L.A. Department of Building and Safety, who approved a project later found by a judge to violate the city's own zoning laws.
Why High Speed Rail Shouldn't Ride In California
Wendell Cox weighs the true costs over the reported costs of creating a high speed train system for cities between San Diego and Sacramento. He offers opposition to a very expensive and likely underused project.
Pagination
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