Why California’s SB 902 Would Build Climate Resilience

03/30/20

“Why would California’s SB 902 by State Senator Scott Wiener build climate resilience capacity?”

California’s housing crisis is quickly merging with its climate crisis. To get this under control, more living spaces will need to be built in dense urban areas. California State Senator Scott Wiener of San Francisco may have an answer in the form of SB 902. SB 902 is a bill that (if passed) would loosen zoning laws such that multiplexes can be developed in non-wildfire prone areas and make it easier for cities to rezone areas closer to transit to higher density. This would allow for more housing capacity near public transportation and away from the wildland-urban interface, allowing for more people to move into newer housing in less disaster-prone areas. This is Why California’s SB 902 Would Build Climate Resilience.

Why California’s AB 3173 Would Increase Housing Resilience

03/26/20

“Why would California’s AB 3173 by California Assemblymember Buffy Wicks increase housing resilience?”

California’s cities have a great need to densify to stave off the worst of the housing and climate crisis. California Assemblymember Buffy Wicks’ bill AB 3173 would allow for the development of microunits (studios that share kitchens) in cities with greater than 400,000 people. This would allow for more density and affordable housing, increasing the safety of populations in the wake of natural disasters. This is Why California’s AB 3173 Would Increase Housing Resilience.

How California’s AB 3107 Would Build Resilience Capacity

03/25/20

“How would AB 3107 from California Assemblymember Wicks build resilience capacity?”

As of now, California state law prohibits housing units from being developed in commercial districts. However, this could all change with one bill. AB 3107 by California Assemblymember Buffy Wicks would allow for housing development to take place in commercial districts as long as 20% of the units are relegated to be affordable housing. This would increase the number of lower-income people in housed situations near job centers, severing them from the need for private transportation and therefore increase opportunities in the case of a disaster. This is How California’s AB 3107 Would Build Resilience Capacity.

Urban Planning and Climate Resilience

03/24/20

“How does urban planning interact with climate resilience?”

Planning and designing cities are the beating heart of urban planning. And with the advent of climate change, cities will have to reinvent themselves to withstand the new conditions. This is where Urban Planning and Climate Resilience will interact and is already taking shape in cities all over the world, from sea-level rise in New York to heat islands in New Delhi.

How California’s SB 1410 Could Assist With the Development of Housing Resilience in California

03/22/20

“How could California State Senator Lena Gonzalez’s SB 1410 increase housing resilience?”

The dearth of affordable housing in California is causing a housing crisis, forcing marginalized communities to seek shelter in areas of the state more vulnerable to the effects of climate change as well as further away from job centers. One way to counter this would be to simply build more affordable housing. However, many municipalities in the state do not want to host these sites and try to block as much development as possible. But if California Senate Bill SB 1410 from State Senator Lena Gonzalez of Los Angeles becomes law, then projects that have been denied or given unreasonable requirements can be appealed to a newly created Housing Accountability Committee and get the initial rejection overturned. This is How California’s SB 1410 Could Assist With the Development of Housing Resilience in California.