Specific Plan

New Plans for Transit Oriented Development in South Central L.A.
Los Angeles County recently adopted the Florence-Firestone Transit Oriented District Specific Plan.

What Is a Specific Plan?
Specific Plans are unique to the state of California, but come up frequently in media coverage of planning. Understanding the purpose of Specific Plans can also open a window to understanding of how planning works all over the country.

Housing Litigation by California Attorney General Yields Results
A landmark state lawsuit will be settled if the Huntington Beach City Council approves an amended specific plan that increases housing. The lawsuit was enabled by 2017 legislation strengthening California's 50-year-old housing element law.

Planning a New Approach to Transit Oriented Development in Compton
The city of Compton has completed a draft environmental impact review of an ambitious plan to transform the blocks surrounding the Artesia Station on the Metro A Line.

A New Model for Growth in San Diego
When first announced in 2014, the Morena Corridor Specific Plan provoked protests. The plan has changed, but it now finally has initial approval from the San Diego City Council.
No Parking Minimums and Also No Housing Development
Los Angeles is hoping that changes to the Cornfield Arroyo Seco Specific Plan will finally yield new residential developments.

The Arts District and the 'Missed Opportunity' of Planning in L.A.
Downtown L.A.'s Arts District transformed from an industrial sector to a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood. Now, the community's attempts to protect their vision from haphazard development illuminate Los Angeles's broken planning process.
Residents Disillusioned with the Planning Process in Los Angeles' Chinatown
Sharon McNary reports on a proposed development in the Chinatown neighborhood of Los Angeles that predates, and could thus avoid, the guidelines put forward by one of the most progressive plans in the city—the Cornfield Arroyo Specific Plan.
New Specific Plan a Model for L.A.'s Land Use Future
An editorial in the Los Angeles Times praises the Cornfield Arroyo Seco Specific Plan as a model for how the city can break free of outdated zoning laws that force residents into obsolete living, working and commuting patterns.

With Innovative Plan, L.A. Says Adios to Parking Requirements
Yesterday, the Los Angeles City Planning Commission approved a landmark specific plan that is notable as much for what it doesn't include as what it does.
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