San Francisco

McCoppin Hub

San Francisco Debates an Anti-Homeless Fence

The deployment of so-called defensive architecture is in the news again. This time the controversy is in the public realm, as San Francisco considers a fence to keep homeless out of McCoppin Hub.

July 29, 2016 - Curbed SF

San Francisco Approves Accessory Dwelling Units

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has approved legislation that will allow the construction of accessory dwelling units, potentially adding thousands of units to the city's housing supply.

July 28, 2016 - San Francisco Examiner

San Francisco

San Francisco Shifts Maintenance Burden for Street Trees Back to the City

Three proposed legislative measures would undo one of the more obvious signs of the recession, and return the responsibility for street trees to the city.

July 20, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Tech Shuttle

Better to Appease Irate Neighbors Than Decrease Car Commuting

A San Francisco Chronicle editorial supports the decision by the Municipal Transportation Agency to 'bow' to complaints from residents about the large tech buses by reducing their stops in their neighborhoods even if it means increasing car trips.

July 14, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Google Bus

Facebook: Solo Commutes Increasing After Loss of Tech Shuttle Stops

Public pressure led the city of San Francisco to cut and relocate tech shuttle stops. Now the cities at the other end of the commute might be dealing with the consequences of those decisions.

July 11, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Homeless Encampment

Voters to Decide Future of San Francisco Homeless Tent Encampments

Unable to pass the measure themselves, four San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a ballot measure for November that would let voters decide on the removal of tent encampments in the city providing that housing is offered.

June 23, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Los Angeles

West Coast Cities Redefining Height With Batch of New Skyscrapers

The title of tallest building west of the Mississippi, property of the U.S. Bank Tower in Los Angeles since 1989, will soon go to another building. What does that say about the post-recession of West Coast cities?

June 22, 2016 - The Architect's Newspaper

Bus Lane

San Francisco Transit-Only Lane Controversy Heating Up

Public opinion is split on the red transit-only lanes found around San Francisco. Next week, the public will get a chance to air their grievances, or defend their territory.

June 17, 2016 - Curbed SF

San Francisco View from Dolores Park

San Francisco Apartment Supply Catching up to Demand, If only Temporarily

If you can afford it, now would be a good time to move to San Francisco and rent in a new, high-end apartment building. Rents will still be among the highest in the country, but property owners are offering many perks.

June 16, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Public Wi-Fi

7 'Smart Cities Challenge' Proposals

The Washington Post details each of the seven proposals competing for $40 million in the U.S. Department of Transportation's Smart Cities Challenge.

June 14, 2016 - The Washington Post

Golden Gate

Bay Area Election Roundup: Wetlands, Housing, Ballot-Box Planning, Sales Tax

A regional measure to tax all property owners in the 9-county Bay Area to adapt to sea level rise passes; S.F. voters support raising the affordable housing bar; Richmond voters reject ballot-box planning; San José approves sales tax increase.

June 9, 2016 - Planetizen

Bus Lane

Yelp for Transit? San Francisco Will Give it a Shot

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will invite ratings from transit users via the existing MuniMobile app. That's brave.

June 7, 2016 - CityLab

Portland Weird

Is Portland the Next San Francisco?

Now that tech companies have "discovered" Portland, Oregon, longtime residents question whether the progressive city has done enough to protect them from displacement. Sound familiar?

June 1, 2016 - The Atlantic

Rental Apartments

Housing Crisis Leads to Renewed Support For Rent Control

As rents in the Bay Area have skyrocketed, cities are updating and introducing rent control ordinances. They are stoking age-old debates over the macroeconomic value of rent control.

June 1, 2016 - California Planning & Development Report

Dolores Park

Some Things Aren't for Sale in San Francisco's Dolores Park (Like Dolores Park)

Controversy struck the famously laissez-faire expanses of Dolores Park in San Francisco this week, after the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department launched, and then quickly rescinded, a program to rent park space.

May 27, 2016 - Sfist

San Francisco STreetcar

Uber Partners With San Francisco Landlord to Subsidize Car-Free Tenants

A large development in San Francisco would limit parking spaces by paying for its tenants to go car free. Uber is paying part of the bill.

May 18, 2016 - The Verge

San Francisco Homeless

30 San Francisco Media Outlets Collaborate on Homelessness

A media blitz scheduled for June 29, 2016 will offer an unprecedented display of "solutions-oriented journalism."

May 17, 2016 - The New York Times

London, Nightlife

London's New Mayor Finds Culture and Heritage in City's Nightlife

London's new Mayor Sadiq Khan joins a growing list of mayors who have become ardent advocates for their city's nightclubs.

May 16, 2016 - Thump

San Francisco Coit Tower Construction

When Does Inclusionary Zoning Go Too Far? San Francisco Might Find Out

In June, San Francisco voters will consider a ballot initiative that will raise the affordable housing requirement of the city's inclusionary zoning from 12 to 25 percent. Even housing advocates are concerned Proposition C might go too far.

May 12, 2016 - CityLab

SF Muni

San Francisco Transit Advocate Platform: Get Anywhere in 30 Minutes

Transit riders in the famously small city of San Francisco (in geographic size, anyway) have set a goal to design and build a system that makes it possible to travel between any two points in the city in 30 minutes or less.

May 9, 2016 - Hoodline

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