Will Planning Become Central Issue In California Governor Race?

Voters in the Central Valley and other parts of California are fed up with traffic and air pollution. Can Angelides tap into that frustration in his race for governor?

1 minute read

June 13, 2006, 11:00 AM PDT

By David Gest

Analysis of whether Phil Angelides, developer of Laguna West and Democratic nominee for governor, will tout his planning expertise in running against Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"...I'm hoping that Angelides, the lifelong politician, won't abandon his lifelong passion -- urging cities and counties to rethink how they are planning their communities.

Angelides, to be sure, is an imperfect crusader for this cause. He has a tendency to be long-winded and didactic. Moreover, his prized Laguna West didn't turn out to be a model of 'smart growth' -- the unfortunate term that is used to promote communities that are compact and supportive of transit.

Even so, Angelides has a unique opportunity to make planning -- yes, planning -- an issue against the happy-go-lucky Schwarzenegger. Over the next 40 years, California will add about 20 million people. Where will they live? How will they travel? Will many of them find homes in transit-friendly villages, as Angelides hopes? Or will they live in sprawling suburbs, built in deepest of deep floodplains in the Central Valley?"

Thanks to Stuart Leavenworth

FULL STORY: Angelides should stick with smart growth, not safe politics

Sunday, June 11, 2006 in The Sacramento Bee

Government / Politics California

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

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.