'Urban Acupuncture' Prescribed for Los Angeles' Streets

As reported in the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is relying on the "Urban Acupuncture" concept to make the case for the small local fixes to improve overall street life, as part of his Great Streets initiative. The plan selects 15 major thoroughfares scattered throughout the city to boost economic activity and reduce congestion by adding "bike racks, plazas, crosswalk upgrades and other amenities aimed at drawing in pedestrians and attracting new businesses."

Urban Acupuncture is the method of choice because Los Angeles lacks "the money and the space to add the types of transportation that would significantly reduce traffic congestion." Instead, Garcetti is hoping this treatment will bring "enough amenities to a neighborhood so that residents stay closer to home and, quite possibly, avoid using their cars altogether."