The city of San Francisco changed its zoning rules in 2011 to allow residents to grow and sell food from urban farms and gardens. But the process entailed working with up to seven city agencies just to get the required approvals. City Supervisor David… more »

The Southern California Association of Governments' general assembly has unanimously adopted the organization's 2012-2035 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy. Pam O'Connor with the SCAG hailed the new plan as "a roadmap to… more »

A Los Angeles bus parking lot has been transformed into a nine-acre wetland that efficiently processes storm water runoff. The $26 million project gives the city an innovative way to deal with water pollution, and residents have a dedicated green space.… more »

A recent opinion piece in the San Bernadino Sun supported the Sustainable Communities Strategy being considered by the Southern California Association of Governments. "Billions of dollars in health savings can be realized by choosing the strongest possi… more »

In just the past three years, San Francisco's streets have become more bike- and pedestrian-friendly with the addition of inexpensive and easily-constructed "parklets." There are now 22 of these little parks sprinkled throughout the city. A recent request by the city for more parklet proposals elicited 31 new applications. more »

Most of California's redevelopment agencies will be shut down after losing their court fight against Governor Jerry Brown's austerity budget. The agencies, many of which practiced smart growth, are funded through property taxes, an arrangement the Governor said is a drain on local and state budgets. more »

The Urban Land Institute recently released a report titled The New California Dream: How Demographic and Economic Changes May Shape the Housing Market. The report found that increased demand for multi-family housing, as well as housing on small lots, will dominate the housing markets of California. more »

The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board recently recognized a new development as "smart growth at its smartest." more »