This week’s Bay Area stories spotlight a stalled shipyard plan, an unfunded East Oakland shoreline trail, Market Street’s persistent rail-track danger, and a regional transit tax headed to voters—revealing the tough choices behind safer, more accessible, and publicly trusted infrastructure.
What We’re Reading | August 24-28, 2026 Read More »
Northern Section’s allied professional organizations offer events and programs in a variety of formats that you may find align well with your professional and continuing education goals.
Allied organizations: Upcoming events and programs Read More »
Five Bay Area stories reveal how local decisions on school-zone safety, urban trees, affordable housing, and climate-ready transportation are reshaping daily life across the region.
What We’re Reading | August 17-23, 2026 Read More »
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 »
