California
California Housing Bills Streamline Affordable Housing
A series of current and proposed bills are paving the way for more affordable housing production in the state, where environmental laws are often deployed to delay or block new development.
Impact Study Released for Disneyland Expansion
The theme park giant is one step closer to adding new sections to its Anaheim empire.
L.A. County City Calls for New BRT Line
Pico Rivera has released an ambitious plan that would create more transit connections in eastern Los Angeles County.
San Jose Walk/Bike Trail Moves Forward
The new trail will offer key connections to a new BART station and other local trails.
ADU Permits Spike in Sacramento County
Backyard cottages, known as accessory dwelling units, are touted as one solution to the rising cost of housing.
Drinking Water More Precious Than Grass in California
Ornamental grass—the kinds of grass that line medians and roadsides but never serves for recreation—is a vanishing amenity in a drought-stricken West.
Calls Grow for ‘One-Dam Solution’ on Colorado River
California growers and others in the river’s Lower Basin want the federal government to consider draining Lake Powell to conserve more water downstream.
A Vision Zero Plan for Napa Valley
The regional transportation agency released a Vision Zero that will guide a ‘Safe Systems’ approach to improving road safety.
Easing Regulations for Adaptive Reuse
Cities with ordinances aimed at making commercial-to-residential conversions easier are reaping the benefits.
New California Law Alters CEQA in Favor of Student Housing
Following a heated legal battle over new student housing in Berkeley, Governor Newsom signed a new law removing ‘social noise’ as an environmental impact.
Downtown Los Angeles Park Wins National Award
Vista Hermosa Natural Park, designed by the landscape architecture firm Studio-MLA, has won the ASLA 2023 Landmark Award. Completed in 2008, Vista Hermosa was the first public park built in downtown L.A. in over 100 years.
California Cities Continue Fight Against State Preemption
Lafayette City Council Member Susan Candell penned an op-ed in support of a lawsuit to invalidate Senate Bill 9 by four Southern California cities, highlighting a recent supportive court filing by UCLA economic geographer Michael Storper.
Celebrating and Protecting Biodiversity
Park and recreation agencies have an important role to play in safeguarding biodiversity. Learn more about how they contribute to the preservation of diverse ecosystems.
An AI-Generated Vision of a Silicon Valley Utopia
A proposed plan to build a new city in the Bay Area is light on details and heavy on idyllic renderings.
First Look: Silver Lake Reservoir Master Plan Adopted in L.A.
The Los Angeles City Council approved environmental review documents for the long-awaited Silver Lake Reservoir Master Plan, clearing the way to remake a defunct reservoir into active green and park space.
After Supreme Court Affirmative Action Ruling, L.A. Suburb Claims Housing Mandate Unconstitutional
A wealthy California city is using a new argument to fight a multifamily housing development.
A Hurricane in Death Valley
The heavy rain brought by a rare West Coast hurricane could have long-lasting impacts on this iconic American landscape.
BART Will Run Shorter Trains
The agency says shorter trains will enable them to increase security, retire aging cars, and save on energy costs.
City of Vacaville Launches Instant Solar Permitting
A new state law requires cities to take steps to speed up the permitting process for solar energy systems.
Community Engagement at L.A. County Parks
The L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting over 60 public meetings in September to connect with the public and gather input to inform decision-making and resource allocation.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
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
