Playa Vista: The Future Of Urban Planning

Now officially open, Playa Vista is the 'largest and best example' of Smart Growth in Southern California.

1 minute read

October 19, 2003, 7:00 AM PDT

First there was Levittown on Long Island, then Irvine Ranch in Orange County, CA. Now, with a distinctly new urbanist feel, Playa Vista in West Los Angeles is officially open: "But above all, what draws students of urban planning is the layout. With an average 24 housing units to an acre compared with suburbia's typical four to 12 and more public space than private, Playa Vista is designed to look more like Old Europe than sprawling Southern California... No building is taller than four stories. The streets are narrow. Most residences have no backyards. Townhouses, in a variety of architectural styles, including Spanish and Art Deco, are stacked up over underground garages. In fact, 90% of all the parking at Playa Vista will be underground."

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: L.A.'s Urban Model

Saturday, October 18, 2003 in The Los Angeles Times

Land Use California

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