From downtown revitalization and workplace robotics to coastal access and river restoration, these four stories reveal how Northern California communities are navigating growth, technology, public lands, and environmental change.
What We’re Reading | August 10-14, 2026 Read More »
An evening of inspiration Northern is delighted to announce the highly anticipated event, the 2026 Awards Gala, a celebration of the exceptional individuals, projects, and plans shaping the future of planning across the region. Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.Place: Fluid510, 1544 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612 This year’s Awards Gala honors
2026 Northern Awards Gala: Celebrating Planning Excellence Across the Region Read More »
California lawmakers return from summer recess on August 31 for a fast-paced final month of session. APA California is tracking nearly 300 planning-related bills, providing technical feedback, and advocating for effective implementation—stay connected for legislative updates and opportunities to engage.
APA California Legislative Update: July 2026 Read More »
Northern California communities are weighing growth, climate resilience, transportation equity, and agricultural preservation—from a proposed Tri-Valley event center and a powerful El Niño to possible truck-route changes and efforts to save Sonoma County’s Gravenstein apple industry.
What We’re Reading | August 3-7, 2026 Read More »
Step into leadership—and help shape the future of planning in California. Northern is calling on members ready to bring fresh ideas, bold perspectives, and collaborative energy to open positions on the APA California Board and California Planning Foundation (CPF) Board. This is your opportunity to influence statewide priorities, champion fellow planners in a rapidly changing field, and help welcome a broader range of members and future members into the profession. Along the way, you’ll expand your network, sharpen your leadership skills, and make a meaningful impact. Explore the opportunities below and find the role where your voice can lead.
Across California, practical solutions and urgent challenges are reshaping how communities plan for the future. Wealthy Bay Area cities are making housing progress through accessory dwelling units; earthquake experts are warning that a major event could carry a staggering economic toll; free heat pumps are helping low-income households stay safe during extreme heat; and a new mobility and curb data guidebook is giving public agencies tools to better manage increasingly complex streets. Together, these stories show why thoughtful policy, targeted investment, and accessible data matter for creating more resilient, equitable, and adaptable communities.
What We’re Reading | July 24-28, 2026 Read More »
Across the Bay Area and Central Coast, this week’s stories point to the interconnected challenges shaping local communities: persistent housing affordability pressures in Santa Cruz County, job losses across California and the Bay Area, expanded downtown planning in Redwood City, student-led advocacy for cooler East Bay schoolyards, and Oakland’s slow rollout of community-driven traffic safety projects. Together, they highlight the importance of coordinated planning, climate resilience, economic stability, and safer public spaces.
What We’re Reading | July 20-24, 2026 Read More »
This week’s roundup highlights major developments shaping transportation, housing, infrastructure, and economic growth across the region. In East Oakland, a new stretch of the East Bay Greenway is complete, expanding safer walking and biking connections while underscoring the need for continued investment and maintenance. BART earned national recognition for fiscal responsibility amid ongoing transit funding challenges, while Brisbane faces state intervention over delayed housing plans at the Baylands. Meanwhile, California Forever is renewing its push for a new Solano County city and shipyard, drawing both support for potential jobs and scrutiny over environmental review, local control, and transparency. Together, these stories show how decisions about land use, mobility, public finance, and regional planning continue to shape the Bay Area’s future.
What We’re Reading | July 13-17, 2026 Read More »
This week’s roundup highlights major developments shaping transportation, housing, infrastructure, and economic growth across the region. In East Oakland, a new stretch of the East Bay Greenway is complete, expanding safer walking and biking connections while underscoring the need for continued investment and maintenance. BART earned national recognition for fiscal responsibility amid ongoing transit funding challenges, while Brisbane faces state intervention over delayed housing plans at the Baylands. Meanwhile, California Forever is renewing its push for a new Solano County city and shipyard, drawing both support for potential jobs and scrutiny over environmental review, local control, and transparency. Together, these stories show how decisions about land use, mobility, public finance, and regional planning continue to shape the Bay Area’s future.
What We’re Reading | July 5-10, 2026 Read More »
Join online Listening Sessions to help shape “The Elephant in the Room,” a 2026 APA California Conference workshop on ethical, community-based planning amid challenges to democracy, equity, climate action, housing, and public engagement. Your input will guide the workshop’s scope, content, and practical discussions.
Calling all California planners! Read More »
