Urban Planner Creates Bicycle-Pedestrian Fantasy Model for Santa Monica

The Latino Urban Forum's James Rojas has made a name for himself by designing interactive planning models for some of the LA area's most famous neighborhoods. Recently, he took a crack at creating a more sustainable Santa Monica.

1 minute read

February 11, 2009, 5:00 AM PST

By thedaymen

"Urban planner James Rojas, who's gained notoriety for his pedestrian-friendly visions, interactive models and passionate defense of Latino cultural icons such as the Taco Truck, has applied his vision to Santa Monica as part of an art show known entitled Shangri L.A."

"Using over, 2000 plus recycled knickknacks such Jenga pieces, Scrabble tiles, bottle caps, peppershakers, a translucent Boeing corporate paperweight and the like; Rojas creates a model for a future Santa Monica that is a pedestrian and bike paradise, designed to move residents and tourists from major transit hubs that will be created when the Subway to the Sea and Expo Light Rail lines are completed; the new design has circular streets that would slow down traffic and allow greater mobility for human-powered transportation."

"Rojas posits that the future of transportation in Southern California isn't going to resemble the Blade Runner vision of the movies, but rather it's polar opposite. Instead of a culture obsessed with using as much power as possible, future urban designs will accentuate, Streets for Human Powered Mobility, Places for Social Interaction, and Pedestrian Friendly Architecture ."

Thanks to Damien Newton

FULL STORY: Los Angeles Streetsblog, Pushing Planning Boundries in Santa Monica with James Rojas

Monday, February 9, 2009 in Los Angeles Streetsblog

Transportation California Santa Monica Los Angeles Streetsblog James Rojas

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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