San Francisco
Sprawling San Francisco Apt. Complex May Densify
Plans are afoot to densify one of San Francisco's biggest, most suburban apartment complexes, the 152-acre Park Merced constructed in 1941. If the Planning Commission approves the plan, the existing housing could be tripled, adding 14,000 units.
Caltrain In Freefall
Service will be cut 44%, half the stations to close, elimination of mid-day and weekend service - that is the scenario laid for Caltrain, the West's oldest commuter rail, unless $30 million can be found - unlikely.
Sharrows Have Their Limits
Sharrows are a great way to give cyclists access to the full traffic lane without designating a bike lane, but as this case in San Francisco illustrates, not all applications are good ones. The presence of a bus-only lane created the problem.
Where To Rent, Where to Buy
A real estate report found that there are only four cities in the U.S. where it makes more sense for residents to rent rather than buy. The foreclosure crisis has made it more practical to buy rather than rent in 72% of America's 50 largest cities.
Debating San Francisco's Community Benefit Districts
There are 12 community benefit districts in San Francisco, which raise their own taxes to create funds for various local projects. But some argue they favor big businesses.
Mayor's Legacy: Revitalized Streetscapes
As San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom prepares to leave for Sacramento to become Lt. Governor, he praises the latest road diet plan - reducing busy Cesar Chavez St. from 6-4 lanes with landscaped median and bike lanes and views it as part of his legacy
New Transit Systems of 2010
Garrett Bradford of TheCityFix reviews some of the most innovative and sustainable transit systems from around the globe that made their debut over the last twelve months.
S.F. to Shutter Lone Fossil Fuel Power Plant
After years of debate, San Francisco plans to close the diesel- and natural gas-burning Potrero Hill Plant, one of the dirtiest facilities in California, by January 1, reports John Coté.
The Walkable City of Death
San Francisco, one of the nation's most walkable cities, has one of the country's highest rates of pedestrian deaths.
Tolls Incite San Francisco Peninsula Border War
The mere possibility that a SF County Transportation Authority study could result in a 'border' charge (congestion toll) to drive into SF from San Mateo County has the latter floating their own competing toll for motorists entering San Mateo County.
S.F. Attracting Tech Industry from Silicon Valley
More tech workers are choosing the city over the suburbs. Now companies themselves are beginning to follow suit, reports Jon Swartz.
Suburb To City: No More Congestion Pricing, Please
San Mateo County officials have a bone to pick with their bigger neighbor (in population, not area) to the north, San Francisco: don't charge us to drive there. Unlike drivers from East and North Bay counties, no bridge tolls separate the counties.
Ridership Predictions Lowered, But Subway Plans Move Ahead
Despite predictions of ridership that are lower than previously thought, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is still pushing ahead with plans to build a subway line in the center of the city.
San Francisco Finds Way to Fund Central Subway
Things looked grim for the Central Subway project last week, as SF officials were facing an impending deadline to come up with $137 million to match federal funds. This week, Mayor Newsom and MTC seem to have found a way.
Residents vs. Opera-Singing Waiters
Colloseo, a restaurant in San Francisco's North Beach, wants to feature Luca, their opera-singing waiter, as part of the ambience. The Telegraph Hill Dwellers, an influential neighborhood situation, says no.
S.F. Needs Cash Fast for Central Subway
Federal funds come with a price - in order to hold on to $972m awarded to the Central Subway project, San Francisco's MUNI needs to come up with at least $137m by February.
SF's Congestion Pricing Plan Advances
Three possibilities for tolling San Francisco's downtown have been advanced by the Board of Supervisors; two involve tolling the 'Southern Gateway', the only entrance to the peninsula city that is untolled. However, Prop 26 could doom the plan.
San Francisco Passes Country's First Open Data Requirement
A new law requiring city agencies and departments to make "reasonable efforts" to publish their data received unanimous support from the Board of Supervisors.
Electric Taxis Coming to Bay Area
A new company is bringing battery switch stations to the San Francisco-San Jose corridor, laying the groundwork for an electric vehicle taxi fleet.
World Series Cast Shadow On Parking Lots Behind AT&T Stadium
Just beyond McCovey Cove, where kayakers await home run balls hit from AT&T Park, sit vast parking lots that Giants bigwigs are proposing could be a great location for a Golden State Warriors stadium.
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.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
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
