California
Community-Led Conservation: Protecting Elephant Hill’s Unique Biodiversity in Northeast LA
Community-led efforts are crucial in protecting the unique biodiversity of Elephant Hill in Northeast LA, with a focus on preserving the threatened Southern California black walnut tree and ensuring public access to this vital green space.
Birthplace of Single-Family Zoning Poised to Pass Upzoning Plan
Berkeley, California, pioneered exclusionary zoning in the early 1900s; with its new upzoning proposal, the city hopes to reverse that negative legacy and boost its housing supply by eliminating single-family zoning.
Judge: Airbnb Can Be Held Liable for Shooting Death at Illegal Short-Term Rental
Elhania v. Airbnb, Inc. will be the first case in the U.S. to hold Airbnb responsible for a shooting death that happened at a home rented through the platform, because the short-term rental violated local laws designed to protect from that type of harm.
California’s Shift to Renewables: Successes and Challenges
The state aims to run on 100 percent renewable energy by 2045.
ADUs as Condos: What Does it Mean for Homeownership?
A California law that allows the sale of ADUs as condos may soon make homeownership more attainable.
Planning for the End-of-Life of Urban Trees
Many of California’s 6 million urban trees are reaching the end of their lives. Arborists in Long Beach are turning them into useful lumber.
LA City Council Approves Extra Funding for LAX People Mover
The automated electric rail system is expected to carry up to 30 million passengers per year to points in and around the Los Angeles International Airport.
Building a Greener Future: Youth Leadership in Climate Action
The L.A. County Youth Climate Commission empowers young voices to influence sustainable policies, prioritizing environmental justice and addressing top issues like cleaner air, green spaces, and green buildings.
San Jose Homeowners Can Now Sell ADUs as Condos
A new policy could help boost the supply of smaller, more affordable ‘starter homes’ in the first California city to legalize the sale of ADUs.
California Could Extend Oil Well Monitoring Deadlines
Legislators are considering extending the deadline for new oil well safety regulations by up to 54 months, sparking controversy over whether the delay benefits the oil industry at the expense of public health.
Affordable Housing Bond Nixed From the California Ballot
Supporters of the proposed bond say the measure will have more success in the future.
Will This Resident Group Get Full Control of the Complex They Helped Fix?
A group of Cambodian immigrants took partial control of an affordable housing property in the 90s, and since then, they’ve made big changes to the complex. But they haven’t been able to get full legal control of the property for decades. Why?
Can LA Achieve a ‘No-Car’ Olympics?
The city’s mayor promises all Olympic venues will be reachable by transit, but the city’s ability to finish its transit projects on time is coming into question.
California Bill Promotes ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Solutions
The bill is part of an effort to reverse entrenched patterns in traffic engineering and speed up the adoption of safer infrastructure for people walking and biking.
The Fight Continues Against Criminalization of Homelessness
Though disappointed in the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing sleeping bans, homeless advocates are energized and organizing around other solutions.
San Francisco Officials Call for Citywide Ban on Right Turns on Red
A proposal to prohibit turns on red at some downtown intersections prompted calls for a blanket ban for the entire city.
SoCal City Bans Smoking on Multifamily Properties
The law prohibits smoking tobacco or cannabis in both indoor and outdoor spaces, prompting backlash from residents.
Will LA’s Transit Plan Cross the Finish Line Ahead of 2028 Summer Olympics?
The latest report from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority says the 2028 Summer Olympics host city is falling behind on its transit improvement plan and likely won't catch up in time for the Games.
LA to Launch Bus Lane Enforcement Cameras
Bus-mounted cameras will identify vehicles that block designated bus lanes to help prevent delays and maintain reliable transit operations.
South Bay BART Extension Gets $5.1 Billion in Federal Funding
The grant brings the project closer to reality, but delays and cost overruns are putting a completion date more than a decade away.
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.
Ada County Highway District
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
