State of California
Governor's Office of Planning and Research

Sources: An Annotated Bibliography for California Planners

Planning in General

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Blueprint for a Sustainable Bay Area (1996); available for $21.75 for Urban Ecology Members and $31.50 for non-members from Urban Ecology, 405 14th Street, Suite 900, Oakland, CA 94612, (510) 251-6330.
          This colorful and illustrative book offers several examples of Bay Area cities incorporating sustainable development into their local communities. It provides a wide range of strategies a local planner can use to create a more livable and lively downtown and community.

Cities and Counties: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: Sustainability in Action (1996); $10.00 for government and $12.00 for others from Public Technology, Inc., 1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20004-1793, (202) 626-2442.
          This publication features 10 case studies of U.S. cities and counties which have integrated planning with energy conservation, open-space preservation, green building, and more.

The Citizen's Guide to Planning, 3rd ed. (1993); by Herbert H. Smith; $26.95 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This is a detailed introduction to planning for the layman or entry level professional. It explains master plans, zoning, subdivision regulations, capital improvement programs, and the role of the planning commission, among other things.

The Citizen's Guide to Zoning (1983); by Herbert H. Smith; $24.95 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This is a book on the fundamental principles of zoning. It is aimed at planning commissioners or entry level planners looking for information on the intricacies of zoning theory, legal standing, and administration.

The Economic Renewal Guide, 3rd edition (1997); by Michael J. Kinsley; $17.95 from the Rocky Mountain Institute, 1739 Snowmass Creek Road, Snowmass, CO 81654-9199, (970) 927-3851.
          This manual describes how planners can steer their community toward development that's sensitive to local values and the environment through sustainable economic development.

Encyclopedia of Community Planning and Environmental Management (1984); by Marilyn Spigel Schultz and Vivian Loeb Kasen; $45.00 for APA members or $50.00 for non-members from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This book is a valuable source of planning term definitions. It concisely describes, in alphabetical order, a myriad of planning-related terms from "abandonment" to "zoning variance".

Job of the Practicing Planner (1988); by Albert Solnit, et al.; $32.95 for APA members or $35.95 for non-members from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This book examines land use regulation and the technical, bureaucratic, and organizational skills necessary for effective administration of planning programs. It includes tips on the use of fiscal impact analysis, negotiating with developers, and effectively reviewing projects.

The Language of Zoning: A Glossary of Words and Phrases, PAS Report No. 322 (1976); $24.00 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This booklet offers more than 200 plain definitions of planning-related terms.

A Planner's Guide to Sustainable Development (1996) PAS Report No. 467; by Kevin J. Krizek and Joe Power; $32.00 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This report examines the conceptual and theoretical framework behind sustainable development and proposes several strategies to encourage planners to incorporate sustainable development programs in local settings.

The Practice of Local Government Planning, 2nd ed. (1988); Frank S. So and Judith Getzels, Eds.; $38.95, plus postage and handling from the International City Management Association, 1120 "G" St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005, (202) 626-4620.
          Also known as the "Green Bible", this is a one volume compendium of the many aspects of local planning practice. Chapter topics include urban design, district planning, subdivision regulation, zoning, economic development, fees and exactions, and environmental impact assessment.

The Small Town Planning Handbook, 2nd ed. (1995); Thomas L. Daniels, John W. Keller, and Mark B. Lapping; $34.95 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This book is designed to help small cities and towns prepare and administer a planning program that includes a local plan and land use regulations. It can be used without the need for professional staff.

Standard Industrial Classification Manual; $22.00 from the Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.
          This manual provides a system for classifying industries by common characteristics. It can be used as a standard for classifying uses in a zoning ordinance or other regulatory scheme.

Strategic Planning in Local Government: A Casebook (1992); Roger Kemp, ed.; $34.95 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This book explains why strategic planning has proved to be successful in cities throughout the country. It illustrates how the technique helps local governments solve local problems and reach local goals.

A Survey of Zoning Definitions (1989) PAS Report No. 421, Tracy Burrows, ed., is available for $28.00 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          Anyone who's ever had to search high and low for a definition will appreciate this report. It offers definitions for 150 common zoning terms, selected from more than 100 local ordinances.

Sustainable Cities (1992); Bob Walter, et al. (eds.); $20.00 from Eco-Home Media, 4344 Russell Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027, (213) 662-5207.
          This book offers concepts and strategies for ecological city design including ecological design principles, sustainable technologies, construction techniques, planning techniques, and much more.

Taking Charge: How Communities are Planning Their Futures (1988); by Ronald L. Thomas, Mary C. Means, and Margaret A. Grieve; $29.95, plus postage and handling, from the International City Management Association, 1120 "G" St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005, (202) 626-4620.
          This report aims to assist local leaders in designing an effective long-range planning process in which incremental efforts are linked to a larger vision. Its recommendations are based upon the authors' observations of several well-run community planning programs.