The L.A. Department of City Planning is experiencing radical changes in leadership, planning process, and organizational structure. The leaders--past, present, and, future--of planning in L.A. gathered in August to discuss a vision for the future.
The article features a transcription of excerpts from the event, including remarks from newly confirmed Director of City Planning Michael LoGrande, L.A. Times Architecture Critic Christopher Hawthorne, and past Planning Department executives Jane Blumenfeld and Emily Gabel Luddy. Some quotes from the article:
"In our way right now is next year's budget. It really is devastating to see our department turn into a case-processing department." -Michael LoGrande
"There are 17 transit lines within 1,000 feet of this project. But, and this is my question to both the commission and the new planning director, at the moment there are no teeth in this plan's project approval to guarantee that this project will connect directly to the Metro stop in Westwood, which will happen someday. To me, that is a fundamental rule that needs to be made for urban design as well as everything else." -Emily Gabel Luddy
"Revised community plans, when completed, will make the quality of developments in neighborhoods far better and predictable and, very importantly with respect to building a constituency, developers and others who influence the mayor and council will not need to file cases at all." -Jane Blumenfeld
Thanks to James Brasuell
FULL STORY: Which Way for The Future of Planning in L.A.?
Reassessing New Urbanism
A thematic issue of the peer reviewed journal Urban Planning provides a framework for reassessing New Urbanism.
Off-Street Parking in the Midburbs
In several New Jersey cities, eliminating parking requirements has boosted local businesses.
Planning Communities for Thriving Children
When it comes to children's health and economic success, current trends are dismal. New research identifies how to plan communities where children can thrive. The secret? Compact, mixed-income, multimodal neighborhoods.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service