Los Angeles Dodger Senior Vice President of Planning and Development Janet Marie Smith reflects on her efforts to breathe new life into downtowns through sports stadiums.
At the recent 2014 Women in Sports and Events (WISE) Los Angeles gala, Janet Marie Smith was one of three recipients of the Women of Inspiration Awards. Smith's preeminent career in stadium planning and historic preservation includes, most recently, upgrades and enhancements to the 52-year-old Dodger Stadium.
The Planning Report attended the event and presents a transcription of Janet Marie Smith's remarks in its latest December issue. In her acceptance speech, Smith discusses her own beginnings in architecture and stadium renovation, and emphasizes the role of sports stadiums in bringing life back to urban downtowns.
Smith eloquently stated: "The alignment of the public-sector goal to revitalize downtown, coupled with Larry [Lucchino]’s vision for an old fashioned ballpark, demonstrated how sports could be used to invigorate urban development. Since Camden Yards opened in Baltimore in 1992, 20 of the 26 new MLB parks have moved into their downtowns to become a part of a city revitalization effort."
FULL STORY: LA Dodgers' Janet Marie Smith Views Sports as a Means for Urban Revitalization
Dodger Stadium as Civic Space with a New Front Door
Janet Marie Smith, famous for helping plan Camden Yards in Baltimore, discusses how Dodger Stadium's 'new front door' will optimize transit and pedestrian access while preserving the field's historic character and sweeping 'postcard views.'
Los Angeles' Plan to Minimize Displacement During Urban Revitalization
Bloomberg Philanthropies will fund an "Innovation Delivery Team" in Los Angeles to approach the challenge of revitalizing urban neighborhoods while also creating improvements for existing populations.
Mired in a Sea of Parking, Dodger Stadium Architects Design a More Urbane Experience
In renovating Dodger Stadium to enhance the fan experience, the baseball team's ownership brought together a team of architects and planners known for integrating stadiums into the urban fabric of their surroundings.
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