Here’s how I began last year’s installment of this post: “If California gets any more rain, we might all wash into the ocean.” How fortunes have changed. As I regroup from the tumult of the …
Planetizen’s Top Urban Planning Books of 2024
Top of mind in 2024 were the far-reaching impacts of climate displacement, zoning as a solution to the housing crisis, and the potential for safer roads and better public transit in American cities.
One Ski Resort’s Long-Shot Bet to Survive Low Snowfall and Devastating Wildfires
The closest ski hill to Los Angeles recently sold to an investment group with big plans. But can those ideas work amid catastrophic climate threats that continue to plague the mountain?
Warehouse Law May Duplicate Local Regulations
With the signing of Assembly Bill 98 last month, they may get it. But, it will potentially come at the cost of curtailing one of the state’s few post-pandemic economic development success stories. It may also give the state’s planners serious headaches.
Good Riddance to Chevron
In Chevron’s absence, California can pursue sustainability goals–locally and globally–even more enthusiastically. It can speed the adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energy (which, on a good day, sometimes accounts for more than 100% of the state’s energy).
Not Enough Shells For California’s Hermit Crabs
Populations change even if they don’t grow. That’s why California needs more housing even though the population is stagnant
The Brilliant, Unhinged Spectacle of Megalopolis
A rare film that celebrates design and urban planning, Coppola’s latest epic is a mishmash of architectural, cinematic, and literary history.
Ugly Sweaters, Plush Toys, and Transit Maps
Merchandising won’t pay the bills, but it can be cheeky fun with fans
Las Vegas’ Opportunity to Learn from California
Nevada officials want Las Vegas to expand even further, by opening federal land to development. As too many places in California illustrate, that’s a recipe for sprawl, but not for a better city
Warlords in Our Midst
Review of the disturbingly relevant, and spectacularly impressive, Mad Max prequel Furiosa.
Western Joshua Tree Law May Slow Development In Desert
The state passed a law protecting the species after the Fish & Game Commission deadlocked on listing it. Critics say the mitigation fee of $300 to $2,500 per plant will make housing projects infeasible
California’s Housing Crisis Meets California’s Insurance Crisis
Insurance in wildfire areas is becoming harder to get — which should be a good thing for the state’s growth management policies. But it’s getting in the way of meeting the state’s housing targets
Searching for the Missing Middle
Los Angeles-based planner Max Podemski authors A Paradise of Small Houses, celebrating the history and future of working-class housing from row houses to triple-deckers to the dingbat
Costco Gets Creative with Mixed-Use Big Box
Using a clever combination of local and state housing incentives, Costco is getting into the housing business in South Los Angeles
Redevelopment Bill Dies But Housing Bills Move Forward
The vast majority of bills related to housing, planning, and transportation improvements are charging ahead this session. May 24 was the last day for bills to pass out of their respective houses of origin.
Solano County Braces for Vote on “California Forever” Development
Around 250,000 voters in Solano County will decide whether to welcome as many as 400,000 new neighbors. It is likely to be a serious test of “yes in my backyard” sentiment in California — or, in the case of Solano County — yes in my pasture, field, or rangeland.
Will Waymo Help Urbanism — Or Hurt It?
For nearly as long as I’ve followed planning and transportation, the running joke, recited in conference sessions and at happy hours, has been that self-driving cars are at least five years away — and always will be.
Big California Cities Speed Up Housing Approvals
Many cities have already upzoned. Now, they’re trying to speed up the development process.