2012

The Earth Institute is one good source of leading edge, cross-disciplinary knowledge about the science and policy options required to address the challenges of sustainable development. These challenges are becoming increasingly complex as they change in response to the accelerating effects of  global warming. This arena of sustainability knowledge forms the context and basis for […]

2012 Legislative Year in Review for Land Use Planners By Alexandra Barnhill, Legislative Director, APA California–Northern September 30th marked the end of another busy California legislative session. While it is not possible to summarize all the actions taken on bills that are relevant to land use planners, some of the most significant developments are described

AB904 would have created parking minimums in certain areas of communities with transit service. It was not acted on during this year’s legislative session.  Join your fellow planners and policy makers to discuss ways to improve the proposed legislation at the Joseph P. Bort Metro Center in Oakland on November 9th. Workshop comments and recommendations

Save the date for the Section’s Holiday Party – November 30, 2012. This year’s event will be held at Mua in Oakland from 7-10 PM. (several blocks away from 19th ST BART). $30 per APA member, $35 per non-member; $15 for students and unemployed. We are still looking for donations for the annual California Planning

After many years of the SF Environment’s path-breaking accomplishments, including the formative 1996 Sustainability Plan whose foundation is still at the leading edge, SF Planning is also accelerating sustainability with completion of recent plans, formation of a multi-agency sustainability-ecodistrict program, and exploration of promising frameworks. Over the past five years, some of San Francisco’s major projects have

Are Canadian cities at a sustainability tipping point after 12 years of on-going innovative integrated community sustainability planning? And if so, what’s the secret?  That was the topic of TNS Canada’s Exchange Network of sustainability practitioners monthly Dialogue on September 24, 2012. The webinar was entitled, The Emerging Vision for Canadian Municipalities – Reflections and

The Natural Step International (TNSI), after several years of strategic planning, has formulated a powerful, new, 5-year strategic direction 2012-2017. The new direction addresses the cumulative insufficiency of global efforts to date, the increasing urgency and magnitude of the challenge, and the shrinking window of opportunity. The new approach builds on 22 years of success

by John Punter, (2002) is a history of urban planning and design through the experience of Vancouver and the eyes of a European scholar. For anyone interested in the theory and practice of urban placemaking, this is an excellent resource.

of the University of Curtin, Sustainability Policy Institute, Australia, will be granted for research projects that highlight the need for smart, sustainable urban planning. The students, Joe Kott from San Francisco, Annie Matan from Fremantle and Roman Trubka from Vancouver, have completed studies that focus on public transport, pedestrian access in cities and the importance of city