Southern California
Coastal City Rejects 'Managed Retreat' Strategy
Del Mar, in Southern California, says it does not want to adopt the approach as part of its sea-level rise adaptation plan.
Governor Calls for 1.3 Million New Homes in Southern California
Local governments in Southern California have chafed at a call from Governor Gavin Newsom for 1.3 million new homes over the next decade. The Southern California Association of Governments has proposed only 430,000.
Southern California's Metrolink Defies Declining Ridership Trends
Primarily serving commuters in the Greater Los Angeles metro area, Metrolink just attained the highest annual ridership in its 27-year existence. Officials chalk up the increase to a significant investment in marketing.
Report: Modest Congestion Charge Would Produce Dramatic Results in Los Angeles
Applying a cordon toll as low as $4 in Los Angeles would result in a 20% reduction in traffic congestion and modest increases in transit ridership, walking, and biking, according to a new study from the Southern California Association of Governments.
L.A.'s Long History of Informal Housing
The story of informal housing is one of changing racial and class demographics, economic opportunity and needs, and regulatory control.
Los Angeles (and Climate Change) Seriously Threaten Air Quality at Mono Lake
With water levels habitually low, officials from the Eastern Sierra say they are "headed for a showdown” with L.A.
A Traffic Solution 'Straight Out of the 1950s'
That's how the Los Angeles Times editorial board characterized the $6 billion plan by Los Angeles Metro to widen the 710 freeway. "A waste of money," they assert. Key to the solution is how to deal with goods movement from the seaport complex.
Peak Motorization: Measuring Rates of Auto Ownership and Distances Driven
Passenger vehicle ownership and vehicle miles traveled per person and per household remain below their historic peaks set in 2006 and 2004, respectively, but they have been on the upswing for the past four to five years, according to new data.
Southern California's Declining Transit Ridership, Explained
More Southern Californians are purchasing motor vehicles, particularly those who were previously transit-dependent, which largely explains the region's declining transit ridership, according to a newly released study.
Distressed Suburbs Struggle to Recover From Decade-Old Recession
Located primarily in the western states, some suburbs were hit hard by the 2008 recession and still haven't recovered. Many have seen an influx of low-income residents and upticks in crime.
Southern California Air Quality Paradox: Air Quality Worsens While Emissions Drop
Ozone pollution is worsening in five counties in Southern California, and the Air Quality Management District doesn't know why.
Rail Redundancy Shouldn't Be Self-Destructive
Los Angeles Metro's new Gold Line light rail extension is attracting riders from the regional Metrolink commuter rail line that serves San Bernardino. The editorial board of the Daily Bulletin suggests that's not necessarily a problem.
Housing Density a Missing Link for Emissions Reductions in California
Emissions from electricity generation are decreasing while those from transportation are increasing. If communities don't increase housing density to change travel patterns, it will only get worse, but the challenges may be insurmountable.
Light Rail Cannibalizing Commuter Rail in Southern California
New transit lines are usually intended to provide an alternative to driving. But what happens when a new train line provides an alternative to an older train line?
The Environmental Trade-Off for Raising California's Fuel Taxes
Come November 1, gasoline and diesel taxes will increase by 12 and 20 cents per gallon, respectively, in California, providing badly needed revenue to repair roads, bridges, and improve transit, but truck pollution loophole will still foul the air.
Coastal Erosion Could Devastate Southern California Beaches
Researchers from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) have produced a model of coastal erosion based on the impacts of expected sea level rise by the end of the century.
Los Angeles County Looking for Ways to Fund Stormwater Management
Supervisor Sheila Kuehl made the announcement at the recent VerdeXchange Conference.
Auto Companies Prepare for Decline of Car Ownership
It's no longer just transit agencies that are trying to meet the first mile-last mile challenge—auto companies have also jumped in by offering "mobility services." And it's more profitable than selling cars!
Mapping Gentrification and Displacement in California
The Urban Displacement project produces not only a detailed portrait of gentrification and displacement in California, but also a comparison between the state's two mega regions: the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California.
One Utility's Plan to Build Thousands of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Southern California Edison wants to add 1,500 public charging stations to its service area, potentially expanding the effort to 30,000 charging stations if all goes well.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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
