California

Google Maps view of bus stop wth bench and shelter in Emeryville, California

The Importance of Bus Stop Benches

Noticing a need in his community, a California mayor found a fast and affordable way to put seating at every bus stop in town.

December 25, 2022 - Streetsblog USA

Highway sign for Santa Ana, California

O.C. City To Create Rental Registry to Enforce Rent Control Laws

Santa Ana will require landlords to register their properties and rent increases and is creating a seven-seat board to help enforce rent stabilization and settle disputes.

December 23, 2022 - OC Register

A sign reads “Sorry No Gas Today”.

Oregon to End Sales of Gas-Powered Vehicles by 2035

There must be something about having a coast on the Pacific Ocean that makes states set policies to accelerate the end of the internal combustion engine.

December 23, 2022 - The Oregonian

Aerial view of red painted bus-only center lanes on Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco

S.F. Accelerates Parking Removal at Bus Stops From 7 Years to 18 Months

Reviewing changes in bulk will make it easier for the Municipal Transportation Agency to remove parking around bus stops in San Francisco.

December 22, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

Rattlesnakes

L.A. ‘Wildlife Ordinance’ to Protect Biodiversity With Zoning Changes

The Los Angeles City Planning Commission recently approved a new Wildlife Ordinance. The City Council will make the final decision about the ordinance’s approval.

December 22, 2022 - Los Angeles Department of City Planning

Los Angeles Protest

California Home to Almost One Third of U.S. Unhoused Population

Despite efforts at the state and local level to address the growing homelessness crisis, California is seeing the fastest increase in its unhoused population in the country.

December 22, 2022 - Cal Matters

Eviction Crisis

L.A. Ends COVID Eviction Protections

Some of the nation’s longest-lasting eviction protections are set to expire in February, while the future of other renter assistance programs remains uncertain.

December 20, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

Blurry close-up of people eating at restaurant table with white wine glass in middle

How the Restaurant Scene Became a Symbol of Gentrification

While redevelopment-related displacement is the result of broader market forces and policy decisions, restaurants and cafes have become an emotionally charged flashpoint for the debate over gentrification.

December 20, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

A school blacktop is viewed from bird’s eye view. The blacktop is adorned with painting and colors for games. but no children are present.

Identifying and Improving Schools Most In Need of Greening

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has developed an index to help identify the schools that are most in need of greening resources.

December 19, 2022 - Los Angeles Unified School District

Los Angeles Residential

Critics Expect L.A.’s New ‘Mansion Tax’ to Chill Development Market

A new real estate transfer tax won the approval of L.A. voters after being promoted as a “mansion tax.” No some real estate and development experts are saying that the new transfer tax will have a much broader impact on the real estate market.

December 19, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

Three-story tan motel building with tall palm tree in the background

Orange County Lagging on Supportive Housing Goals

The county is far behind its goal of building 2,700 supportive housing units as the region grows more unaffordable.

December 18, 2022 - Voice of OC

Two people on bikes in San Diego, California

California’s Year in Bike Policy

Bike and pedestrian advocates saw some big legislative and political wins in 2022.

December 16, 2022 - CalBike Report

Aerial view of California Squeduct snaking past housing developments in the Mojave Desert

Southern California Water District Declares Drought Emergency

State water officials say the region’s agencies will only receive 5 percent of their requested supplies for the start of 2023 due to intense drought conditions that continue to sap western water supplies.

December 16, 2022 - Associated Press via Yahoo News

A map showing the extent of the San Fernando Valley Groundwater Basin in the northern reach of the city fo Los Angeles, along with a few other, smaller, adjacent groundwater basins.

Superfund Project to Deliver Massive Water Supply Boon to Los Angeles

The semi-arid region of Los Angeles is often mistaken for a desert, but the local water supply is also constrained by the environmental sins of the 20th century. The water supply equation of Los Angeles will soon change, however.

December 14, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

Aerial view of Santa Monica, California beach and buildings

First Full Builder’s Remedy Application Filed in Santa Monica

In the time that it took Santa Monica to bring its housing plan into compliance with state requirements, a developer filed over a dozen preliminary applications under the obscure ‘builder’s remedy’ policy.

December 14, 2022 - The Real Deal

View of Los Angeles skyline at sunrise with yellow and green trees in foreground

The Importance of Restoring Degraded Lands in Los Angeles County

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors just approved the Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+), which highlights the need for transforming degraded lands such as landfills and oil fields into parks and open spaces, particularly in underserved communities.

December 11, 2022 - Spectrum News 1

Oakland fire truck

Bike Lanes Pitted Against Fire Safety in Oakland

The city’s fire department is pushing back on proposed bike lanes and narrower streets, citing concerns about emergency access.

December 9, 2022 - Oaklandside

San Jose, California

San Jose Eliminates Parking Minimums

The California city is the largest in the country to abolish parking requirements, joining a bevy of other localities that are shifting to less car-oriented development.

December 8, 2022 - The Mercury News

Aerial view of San Gabriel River where it meets the ocean in Long Beach, California

L.A. County Calls for Flood Control Improvements

Recently revealed estimates put far more people in the region at risk for catastrophic flooding than previously thought.

December 8, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

View of black oil wells behind chain link fence with barbed wire top

Los Angeles To Phase Out Oil Drilling

The city has banned new wells and will end all extraction within two decades.

December 6, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.