California

Should Los Angeles Follow New York And London?

With residents in the San Fernando Valley favoring secession from the city, David Fleming suggests that Los Angeles should adopt a system of Boroughs to ease local governance tensions in the city.

June 26, 2001 - The Planning Report

California's First Solar Subdivision

California builders find that solar panels increase home value -- and boost respectability of solar energy.

June 26, 2001 - The Los Angeles Times

California Struggling To Manage Growth

Despite some of the best minds in the nation and its creativity in movies and technology, California lags behind the rest of the nation in controlling growth.

June 26, 2001 - Contra Costa Times-Walnut Creek

S.F. Planners Vs. Feds Over New Federal Building

A "sustainable" building design for a federal office tower in San Francisco is not allowed under current zoning, but local planners have no jurisdiction.

June 23, 2001 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Removing Gridlock From Orange County's Streets

Poor road planning has led to chronic gridlock, and county planners face a growing population that is frustrated with current traffic levels.

June 22, 2001 - Orange County Register

The Future Of Habitat Conservation Plans

Bush appears likely to continue support for Habitat Conservation Plans as a way of managing endangered species issues.

June 22, 2001 - California Planning and Development Report

Desert Facility A Model Of Energy Efficiency

The Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve visitor center is so energy-efficient that is does not need an air conditioner or a furnace, despite fluctuating temperatures.

June 22, 2001 - The Los Angeles Times

Solving California's Water Needs

Though the recent power crisis has garnered a lot of attention lately, California is still working on the decades old problem of meeting its demand for water.

June 22, 2001 - Orange County Register

Caltrans' High-tech Transit Mapping Experiments

The California Department of Transportation builds an innovative "transit portal."

June 21, 2001 - Government Technology

California Planning Process Is Unfair

Not all urban services receive equal treatment in the planning process.

June 21, 2001 - California Planning and Development Report

Dallas Transit Chief To Come To Los Angeles

Roger Snoble, DART's top executive, has accepted an offer to lead the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

June 21, 2001 - Dallas News

California Cities Face Growing Waste Problem: PCs

With up to 8 pounds of lead in one computer monitor, cities are trying to find solutions to cope with the disposal of obsolete computers filled with toxins.

June 20, 2001 - The Sacramento Bee

San Francisco's Dirty Secret: SROs

Some of San Francisco's Single Room Occupancy Hotels (SROs) are infested with vermin, yet still fetch upwards of $600 - $1200 per month. Will new ordinances help?

June 19, 2001 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Turning Strip Malls To Housing Villages

Orange and L.A. Counties are running out of land for housing. The solution? Some advocate changing strip malls to homes.

June 18, 2001 - The Los Angeles Times

L.A. Says Valley Secession Not Viable

In a rebuttal to LAFCO's study, L.A.'s report cites 5 major factors that would risk financial damage to L.A. and the Valley.

June 16, 2001 - The Los Angeles Times

Slow Growth Movement At Odds With Cultural Shift

A booming immigrant population is presenting a challenge to the slow growth movement in the state.

June 16, 2001 - Contra Costa Times-Walnut Creek

Solving Overcrowding Problems In The Golden State

Recent U.S. Census figures show that eight of the nation's tenmost crowded cities are in California, but there is widespread disagreement on how to remedy the situation.

June 15, 2001 - The Los Angeles Times

Redisovering Hollywood And Vine

A $6 million restoration of the Beaux Arts Classical-style building in Hollywood has begun.

June 14, 2001 - The Los Angeles Times

Cronyism In The San Francisco Planning Office

An audit of the Planning Department in San Francisco, CA suggests the city may be giving preferential treatment to some developers.

June 14, 2001 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Denial Of Land Use Plan For CA City

Santa Clarita has requested to widen its 'sphere of influence' outside its borders. LAFCO will probably deny the request.

June 13, 2001 - The Los Angeles Times

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.

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.