California
Three Barriers To Density In San Mateo County
The associate director of a non-profit asserts that no-growth policies help increase housing costs.
Orange Line Vs. Red Line: Dedicated Busway Vs. Subway
Will Los Angeles' new Orange Line -- a dedicated busway -- bring the same economic growth to Woodland Hills that the Red Line subway brought to North Hollywood?
Commuters Turn To Rail, Bus As Gas Prices Soar
San Joaquin County is not part of the Bay Area, but is home to a growing pool of Bay Area workers. The new train service and subscription bus service are seeing substantial ridership gains resulting from $3/gallon gas. Within the Bay Area, ridership is
Permitting Tree Houses
Only in Los Angeles... A posh kids' treehouse in Brentwood inspires the ire of his neighbor who calls in LA's building inspector to shut down construction.
The Granny Flat Grows Up
Santa Cruz is encouraging infill by offering blueprints for seven prototype accessory dwelling units.
Study Disputes Claim Of 'Bad Business Climate' In California
Governor Davis was recalled, in part, because of the "bad business climate" in California. Now a study from the reputable Public Policy Institute of California refutes the charge that businesses were leaving the state.
Student Housing With Environmental And Community Consciousness
Davis, CA apartment complex creates a winning combination of style, function, and eco-awareness.
The Seamy Side Of The Billboard Industry
The LA Times investigates the shady side of Regency Outdoor Advertising, a Hollywood-based billboard company. Among the charges are bribery, smear campaigns, building without permits, intimidation and poisoning trees.
Bus Rapid Transit Proposed for San Francisco Avenue
Congested Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco, CA, is actually US Highway 101. Many bus lines use the business-lined avenue, but they are impacted by the congestion along the wide corridor. The proposed BRT project has many of the business-owners wary of prop
Actually, L.A. Is Not A Good Example Of Sprawl
Despite being considered the poster child for sprawl, Los Angeles is not a particularly good example of sprawl, and by several measures is the densest place in the U.S.
Preserving Open Space Vs. Green Building
A developer proposes to extend a voter-approved Urban Growth Boundary in Livermore, CA, using green building, specifically solar power, as an enticement to gain voter support for their initiative. Environmental organizations galvanize to oppose it.
The Iconic And Historic... Ranch House?
The ranch house has come to symbolize residential architecture in American between 1945 and 1970. And the ranch house is hip again.
Luxury Lofts Meet Skid Row
In the last of his five-part series, columnist Steve Lopez examines the jarring juxtaposition of rapidly-gentrifying luxury lofts that overlook prostitutes, drug dealers and homeless on LA's skid row.
Mixed Use Development Attracts Crowds Despite High Prices
How did Santana Row, a controversial San Jose development criticized for being "fake" and "Disneyland North," turn into a real neighborhood?
'Political Recall' As Slow Growth Strategy?
California's fastest growing region resorts to using the political strategy of 'recall' to slow growth.
A Busway In 'America's Suburb'
Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley has outgrown it's reputation as 'America's Suburb' and become a high-density community -- now complete with its own dedicated busway, modeled after the system in Curitiba, Brazil.
Homes For Salton Sea?
The Salton Sea Test Base could be used to build over 200,000 houses -- provided the area is fit for human habitation.
LA's Worst Corner
In his second and third installments, columnist Steve Lopez meets the people who live and work on one of the city's worst corners on Skid Row.
Designing California's Second-Largest Park
At more than 2,300 acres, Orange County's new park on the site of a former marine base, will be the second-largest in California, about the size of Griffith Park in Los Angeles.
Southern California's 'Single Most Promising Design Project'
Three design finalists have been selected for the Orange County Great Park; a debate on the merits of each ensues.
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
