In Transforming California, Stephanie Pincetl argues that the transformation of nature in order to enhance economic development lies at the heart of much of the state's recent history. She sees late-twentieth-century California on a path of continued environmental degradation, gripped by cynicism about government. Transforming California describes the evolution of the state's institutions of government as they apply to land use and development, and it shows how land-use decisions affect people's quality of life and their daily interactions with each other and with their environment. Pincetl offers an alternative vision for the renewal of the democratic spirit and process in California and for a reconciliation with nature.

California Land Use & Planning is published biennially. In the interim years, a comprehensive summary of published judicial decisions concerning land use and planning in California will be available as a free download from www.solano.com. For over three decades, California Land Use & Planning Law has provided a succinct and definitive summary of the major provisions of California's land use and planning laws. It has been cited by the California Supreme Court and numerous appellate courts as an authoritative source. Cecily Talbert Barclay and Matthew S. Gray are both partners in the San Francisco office of Perkins Coie LLP, representing a range of local agencies, real estate developers and landowners in all stages of the land use entitlement and development process. For 27 years, Dan Curtin authored this book as a desk reference for those interested in California land use and planning law. Cecily joined Dan as a co-author in 2000 and worked with him to continually update the book based on their own and their partners' decades of experience representing both public agencies and private developers. Following Dan's passing in November 2006, Matt joined Cecily - first as Managing Editor and later as co-author in preserving and expanding upon the legacy Dan started with this book.