California

View down San Francisco street downhill with cars parked on both sides.

How Well Will San Francisco’s Daylighting Program Work?

Unlike other efforts to prevent cars from parking near intersections to improve visibility and road safety, San Francisco has no plans to install physical infrastructure to keep vehicles out of danger zones.

November 29, 2024 - Streetsblog San Francisco

Bird'es eye view of Los Angeles intersection.

USDOT Awards $6M to SoCal Pedestrian Safety Efforts

The grant will support pedestrian infrastructure in Los Angeles and the broader region ahead of events including the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics.

November 27, 2024 - Transportation Today News

Bird's eye schematic of Puente Hills Landfill Park redevelopment project.

Trash to Treasure: New Park Set to Redefine Open Space in the San Gabriel Valley

Puente Hills Landfill Park, opening in 2027, will transform a former landfill into a regional park with trails, scenic vistas, and various amenities, addressing environmental justice and providing much-needed green space for the San Gabriel Valley.

November 25, 2024 - Streetsblog LA

The Light of Many Suns mural at Jackie Robinson Park in Sun Village, Los Angeles County, California.

Honoring Heritage: Stunning Mosaic Unveiled in Sun Village

The new artwork celebrates African American heritage, resilience, and the efforts of The Civic Women’s Club in shaping the high desert community in the Antelope Valley.

November 25, 2024 - The Los Angeles Post

View looking up through large tree with blue sunny sky in background.

Improving South Los Angeles Through Strategic Tree Planting

The University of Southern California Urban Trees Initiative is planting 250 trees in South L.A. neighborhoods to improve shade, combat climate change, and enhance community well-being through collaboration and data-driven approaches.

November 25, 2024 - USC Today

Two red and white electric trains, part of Caltrain fleet in San Francisco, California.

Caltrain Ridership Up 54 Percent Over October 2023

The system made the switch to faster, more modern all-electric trains in September.

November 21, 2024 - Mass Transit

Rendering of truck and cars driving on green electric vehicle charging roadway lane.

UCLA Will Build California’s First EV Charging Roadway

The ¾-mile segment will allow electric shuttles and buses to charge while driving.

November 21, 2024 - KTLA

Large ocean wave cresting.

First US ‘On-Shore’ Wave Energy Project Planned for Port of Los Angeles

The technology uses the motion of waves to create energy.

November 21, 2024 - New Atlas

Muni bus with bike on front bike rack on San Francisco street

San Francisco Transit Faces ‘Devastating’ Cuts

SF Muni is the latest transit agency to sound the alarm on its funding woes, announcing a slate of massive proposed service cuts it will have to make without new revenue sources.

November 20, 2024 - KQED

Close-up of "LOOK" sign on sidewalk with one pedestrian walking away.

Report: San Diego’s Lack of Progress on Vision Zero Mirrors Nationwide Trend

The city’s efforts to improve road safety have been outweighed by other factors such as larger vehicle sizes.

November 19, 2024 - KPBS

Freeway in San Mateo, California with overpass.

San Mateo County Launches AV Strategic Plan

The county is the first in California to develop a plan establishing “a shared vision” for autonomous vehicle deployment.

November 18, 2024 - The Almanac

Playground and picnic benches in city park in San Francisco Bay Area.

Ensuring the Long-Term Care of Parks for Equity and Sustainability

Securing the care and maintenance of parks in the long-term requires sustained funding, equitable resource allocation, and political leadership and will.

November 17, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

White BART public transit train at Coliseum station in Oakland, California.

San Francisco’s BART Awarded $545 Loan for Upgraded Rail Cars

The agency plans to modernize its fleet with more efficient rail cars equipped with new safety features.

November 13, 2024 - Golden Gate Media

Large roof with solar panels and Los Angeles hills in background.

How Los Angeles County is Advancing Sustainability

A recently released report by the Chief Sustainability Office (CSO) shows that L.A. County is making progress on meeting the goals of the OurCounty Sustainability Plan.

November 13, 2024 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Aerial view of rainbow painted four-way crosswalk in the Castro district, San Francisco, California.

San Francisco Implements ‘Daylighting’ at Intersections

Vehicles are prohibited from parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk as part of the city’s Vision Zero efforts to eliminate traffic deaths and make roads safer.

November 12, 2024 - SFGate

Overhead view of white Waymo self-driving car in San Francisco, California with shared bikes and scooters visible on adjacent sidewalk.

Robotaxis Wreak Havoc on Urban Transit

In cities across the United States, robotaxis, championed by companies like Waymo and Cruise, are a marvel of modern technology and a flashpoint for debate over their place in urban transit.

November 11, 2024 - Cities of the Future

Small mountain lake with snow-capped mountains in background in Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in California.

California Approves $10 Billion Bond for Water, Clean Energy, and Environmental Projects

Funds will be used to support water, wildfire prevention, environmental, and park projects, reflecting strong public support for climate resilience.

November 7, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Aerial view of San Francisco Ferry Building in San Francisco, California.

San Francisco Takes Steps to Electrify Bay Ferries

In addition to electrifying the fleet, San Francisco Bay Ferry and the Port of San Francisco are building new facilities to connect more communities to the ferry system.

November 6, 2024 - San Francisco Examiner

Aerial view of Norwalk, California.

California Sues Norwalk Over Shelter Moratorium

The state says the city of Norwalk’s prohibition on new shelters and transitional and supportive housing violates anti-discrimination and fair housing laws.

November 5, 2024 - KTLA

Amtrak Coast Starlight passenger train passing over bridge in Altamont Pass, California.

Amtrak Expanding Service in California’s Central Valley

Amtrak is planning a major expansion to the passenger rail lines connecting the Central Valley and the Bay Area.

November 4, 2024 - The Modesto Bee

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.