“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

-Thomas Edison

We all need support at times. The resources below will help you connect with your community and find ways to make a positive difference.

Global Resources

African Centre for Cities (ACC)- based in Cape Town, researches urbanization in Africa and promotes sustainable planning models.
Asian Development Bank – Urban Development Invests in urban infrastructure and smart city initiatives across Asia, with a focus on inclusive growth.
C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group- Unites 100+ cities to tackle climate change through urban planning, clean energy, and transportation reform.
Cities Alliance- Supports city development in low-income countries, focusing on slum upgrading, inclusive planning, and local governance.
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability- Helps cities implement sustainability strategies across energy, transport, biodiversity, and climate adaptation.
Inter-American Development Bank – Urban Development- Supports Latin American cities with funding and technical assistance for urban resilience and mobility.
ISOCARP (International Society of City and Regional Planners)- Connects planners worldwide to advance inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities. Hosts the World Planning Congress and publishes global best practices.
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy- Provides research and training on land use, taxation, and equitable urban development.
Manchester Urban Institute (MUI)- Academic hub for urban research, focusing on governance, infrastructure, and social equity.
OECD – Urban Policy Division- Develops policy frameworks for smart cities, housing, and regional development across member countries.
Shack/Slum Dwellers International (SDI)- Empowers informal settlement communities to co-create planning solutions with local governments.
UN-Habitat- Promote sustainable urban development and adequate shelter for all. Leads initiatives like the Global Network of Urban Planning and Design Labs to support cities with planning, finance, and legal frameworks.
World Bank – Urban Development Division- Funds infrastructure and planning projects to reduce poverty and improve urban services in developing countries.

Federal Resources

(Departments) A-Z index of U.S. government departments and agencies
(Census Data)United States Census Bureau
(Development Codes) International Code Council

Regional Contacts

California Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)

MPO	Counties Covered	Objective	Incorporated Cities	Website
AMBAG	Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz	Regional planning for transportation, housing, and climate.	Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Hollister, Seaside, Marina, Capitola	ambag.org
BCAG	Butte	Transportation planning, air quality, and transit.	Chico, Oroville, Gridley, Biggs, Paradise	bcag.org
Fresno COG	Fresno	Transportation and land use planning.	Fresno, Clovis, Coalinga, Sanger, Selma, Reedley, Kerman, Kingsburg	fresnocog.org
Kern COG	Kern	Regional transportation, housing, and air quality.	Bakersfield, Delano, Ridgecrest, Wasco, Arvin, Tehachapi, Shafter	kerncog.org
KCAG	Kings	Transportation and transit planning.	Hanford, Lemoore, Corcoran, Avenal	kcag.org
MCTC	Madera	Transportation planning and funding.	Madera, Chowchilla	maderactc.org
MCAG	Merced	Transportation and housing planning.	Merced, Atwater, Los Banos, Livingston, Gustine, Dos Palos	mcagov.org
MTC/ABAG	Bay Area (9 counties)	Transportation, housing, and climate resilience.	San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Berkeley, Fremont, Richmond, Vallejo, and 90+ others	mtc.ca.gov
SACOG	Sacramento, Yolo, Yuba, Sutter, El Dorado (partial), Placer (partial)	Transportation, housing, and economic development planning.	Sacramento, West Sacramento, Davis, Roseville, Folsom, Elk Grove, Woodland, Marysville	sacog.org
SANDAG	San Diego	Transportation, housing, and climate planning.	San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, El Cajon, National City	sandag.org
SJCOG	San Joaquin	Smart growth and transportation planning.	Stockton, Lodi, Manteca, Tracy, Lathrop, Ripon, Escalon	sjcog.org
SLOCOG	San Luis Obispo	Transportation and land use planning.	San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Atascadero, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande	slocog.org
SBCAG	Santa Barbara	Transportation and regional planning.	Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta, Carpinteria, Buellton, Solvang, Guadalupe	sbcag.org
SRTA	Shasta	Transportation planning and funding.	Redding, Anderson, Shasta Lake	srta.ca.gov
SCAG	Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura	Regional planning for transportation, housing, and climate.	Los Angeles, Anaheim, Riverside, Long Beach, Santa Ana, San Bernardino, Oxnard, and 190+ others	scag.ca.gov
StanCOG	Stanislaus	Regional transportation and housing planning.	Modesto, Turlock, Ceres, Riverbank, Oakdale, Patterson, Hughson, Waterford, Newman	stancog.org
TMPO	El Dorado (partial), Placer (partial)	Transportation and environmental planning in the Tahoe Basin.	South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City, Kings Beach	trpa.gov/mpo
TCAG	Tulare	Transportation and regional planning.	Visalia, Tulare, Porterville, Dinuba, Lindsay, Exeter, Farmersville, Woodlake	tularecog.org

Cirtus Heights, CA
Elk Grove, CA
Folsom, CA
Galt, CA
Isleton, CA
Rancho Cordova, CA
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento Region

As Civic NOW is based in the Sacramento region, the following resources are intended to help anyone interested in knowing more about their community in the region.

Development Trackers