Los Angeles

L.A. Museum Redesign Aims to Redefine How the Public Engages Art

Soon to be unveiled plans for a $650 million redesign of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art by Pritzker Prize winning architect Peter Zumthor "would rank as one of the most significant works of architecture to rise in Los Angeles," if completed.

May 2, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

As Natural Gas Prices Rise, Utilities Turn Toward Coal

An Ohio utility is switching to coal due to the rising price of natural gas, illustrating how sensitive fuel prices are to utilities. However, when it comes to building new plants - natural gas has the advantage due to coal's higher capital costs.

April 26, 2013 - The Columbus Dispatch

Ciclavia

L.A. Opens its Streets and Residents Take Advantage

Sunday saw the sixth incarnation of L.A.'s popular CicLAvia event, which closes long stretches of city streets to automobile traffic, and opens them to bikes and pedestrians. The latest route, from downtown to the sea, attracted 150,000 people.

April 23, 2013 - The Los Angeles Times

Seattle Looks to L.A. for Lessons on Creating an Entertainment District From Scratch

Although its inward-facing corporate design may be loathed by architects and planners, L.A. Live's success in helping to draw redevelopment and activity to South Park is indisputable. Can its successes be replicated in Seattle?

April 22, 2013 - The Seattle Times

LA Oldest Palm Tree

LA's Oldest Palm Tree Thrives after 150 Years

In Los Angeles, where “historic” is a relative term, a 150-year-old house is remarkable. How about a 150-year-old palm tree?

April 21, 2013 - Los Angeles Magazine

Will L.A. Overturn a Controversial Fast Food Ban?

After four years of banning the construction of new stand-alone fast food restaurants in South L.A., the city's planning department is considering raising the ban amid increasing questions about the impact of food deserts on obesity.

April 18, 2013 - KCET

Ugly L.A.

L.A. Looks Ugly; But Is That So Wrong?

The quality of L.A.'s public structures falls far below its remarkable private residences. Greg Goldin argues why we should see the beauty in its greatest creations: its infrastructure and evolving collection of noisy storefronts.

April 13, 2013 - Zocalo Public Square

Los Angeles Harbor Freeway

L.A.'s New HOT Lanes Not Working as Planned

Yes, L.A.'s first foray into congestion pricing has improved travel times for those utilizing the high occupancy/toll lanes, but congestion has gotten worse in all other lanes, to the surprise of planners.

April 11, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Plan for Successor to L.A.'s Shuttered Redevelopment Agency Takes Shape

The state-ordered demise of the Community Redevelopment Agency has been a huge blow to redevelopment and affordable housing efforts in Los Angeles. A new plan being put forth by city leaders hopes to help fill that void, reports Ryan Vaillancourt.

April 10, 2013 - Los Angeles Downtown News

Wide-Ranging Retrospective on L.A.'s Modern Architecture Misses the Mark

A new series of exhibitions being organized by the Getty Trust around the subject of LA's modern architectural history includes a significant blind spot, says Christopher Hawthorne. He outlines the prequel necessary to understand the whole story.

April 10, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Can L.A. Turn its Storm Water Headache into a Drinking Water Solution?

In its enduring quest to slake its immense thirst, and protect its beautiful beaches, Los Angeles leaders are putting forth an ambitious proposal to solve two problems with one solution: make runoff drinkable.

April 9, 2013 - The New York Times

Placemaking Confronts Entertainment Initiative in a Downtown L.A. Alleyway

A quaint downtown L.A. alleyway celebrated for its Old World charm has been cleared of its outdoor dining facilities to ease access to a rehabilitated theater's loading dock. Can an equitable compromise be found?

April 8, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Inequality Finds a Home in the Suburbs

Through the lens of the Los Angeles region, Becky M. Nicolaides and Andrew Wiese examine how America's suburbs sustain and reinforce inequality.

April 8, 2013 - The New York Times

Watts Towers Rehab Has Broader Relevance

For years, the Watts Towers have suffered from problems small and large: bits of decorative glass and pottery falling to the ground; cracks snaking their way through the structures and growing longer over time. A new effort aims for lasting fixes.

April 5, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Merger of L.A.'s Planning Department Looking Increasingly Likely

Long rumored plans to merge L.A.'s Department of City Planning with Building and Safety to cut costs and streamline permitting are coming into focus, as the outgoing mayor tries to push through the reforms before he leaves office.

April 4, 2013 - Los Angeles Downtown News

What Killed L.A.'s Streetcars?

Local lore, and Hollywood movies, have it that a conspiracy by car companies led to the dismantling of L.A.'s sprawling streetcar system to induce dependence on newly built freeways. Eric Molinsky tells the real, but no less dramatic, story.

April 3, 2013 - 99% Invisible

Los Angeles Smog Skyline Zoom

Inspiring Ideas for Solving L.A.'s Biggest Challenges

With 279 submissions received, the pubic voting period has begun for determining who will receive the $1,000,000 in grants being awarded to improve the quality of life in Los Angeles along eight key indicators.

April 2, 2013 - Good

6 Keys to a Better Life in L.A. - On Foot

Traversing Los Angeles without a car can be a pain compared to cities like New York or Boston. But avowed "foot soldier" Alissa Walker offers 6 simple ways to live a healthier, happier, and wealthier life in Los Angeles simply by ditching the car.

April 2, 2013 - Los Angeles Magazine

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.

March 30, 2013 - The Planning Report

Why S.F.'s Parking Requirements May Cause Your Building to Crumble in an Earthquake

1960s and 70s era Dingbat buildings, which are common in many California cities, may be hazardous to more than just your design sensibilities. Their much-loathed parking-oriented designs can make buildings especially vulnerable to earthquakes.

March 29, 2013 - SF.Streetsblog

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.