In a significant step forward for housing reform in California, Senate Bill 79 (SB 79) passed the Senate floor on June 3, 2025, with a 21–13 vote. Introduced by Senator Scott Wiener, this bill aims to address the state's housing shortage by allowing more residential development near public transit hubs.

California’s housing crisis has pushed lawmakers to take a hard look at one of the state’s most influential environmental laws; the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). While CEQA plays a vital role in protecting the environment, it’s also been criticized for delaying or blocking housing projects, especially in urban areas where development is needed most. We break down the key reforms currently in the works, what they aim to fix, and how they could reshape the future of housing and development across the state.

In Arbitrary Lines: How Zoning Broke the American City and How to Fix It, urban planner M. Nolan Gray takes a deep dive into the history of zoning, its consequences, and how we can create better cities by reforming or even eliminating it altogether.

Santa Barbara’s housing crisis continues to push city planners, developers, and community members to ask one pressing question: where should we build? In a region where space is limited and housing costs soar, balancing the demand for more housing with the need to preserve Santa Barbara’s character is challenging. This article from the Montecito Journal dives into potential solutions, looking at how urban infill, zoning adjustments, and thoughtful development could address housing needs while respecting the environment and community identity.

Urban planning is taking a data-driven approach to improve walkability and bikeability in several cities. Tools like close.city help visualize which areas are most walkable or bikeable, highlighting where new housing developments should be prioritized to encourage walking and cycling. This is vital for reducing carbon emissions, as transportation contributes significantly to local and national emissions.