Issue 498 | to  The Urbanist

Beyond the Tracks

How smart land-use planning around future high-speed rail can reshape California's growth

SPUR Report /

California cities anticipating the rewards of new high-speed rail stations may fail to reap the full economic and environmental benefits without key land-use planning.

For the 26 cities designated as future high-speed rail stops, the new statewide rail system presents a once-in-a-century opportunity to reshape their local economies and set the course for more compact, less automobile-dependent growth. Beyond the Tracks identifies specific land-use planning strategies that will contribute to the success of high-speed rail and help cities, and ultimately California, realize the full potential of the multi-billion-dollar system.