Serving beach-side Santa Monica and nearby Venice, Breeze Bikeshare equips its bikes with GPS tracking. The program claims to be more advanced than an L.A. Metro system set to debut in early 2016.

At long last, the Los Angeles area will have bikeshare. On the well-off westside, a high-tech program called Breeze Bikeshare "is deploying 500 bright-green rental bikes at 75 racks in Santa Monica and four in neighboring Venice [...] The service is intended for short, point-to-point trips rather than all-day rentals," according to an article by Laura Nelson.
Santa Monica's bikes will be equipped with GPS tracking and a fare card scanner, allowing patrons to leave (and pick up) their ride at just about any bike rack rather than specially-designated ones. They'll pay an extra two dollars for the privilege.
There has been some jockeying between Breeze Bikeshare and L.A. Metro's more traditional system, set to begin service this spring. "[Metro] is pushing forward with a separate bike-share program, using different bikes and a different payment model, prompting concerns that dual systems could confuse or frustrate consumers. [...] The initial Metro system will include 1,100 bikes in an area extending from downtown to the University of Southern California campus near the Coliseum."
FULL STORY: Bike-sharing program gets going in Santa Monica, Venice; more areas to follow

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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.
Ascent Environmental
Borough of Carlisle
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service