Joel Kotkin describes the plight of a Los Angeles economy that has lost "one-fifth of all its employment since 2004." Once a hopeful generator of new jobs and technology, the area has suffered the most of all the Sunbelt metros.
"Even the most passionate Angeleno struggles to feel optimistic," about the city these days. Rising unemployment and a "parochial political kingdom," are what Kotkin points to as the two direst threats to the city's progress. He reserves particular criticism for Mayor Villagaroisa who he describes as "a sometimes charming pol utterly bereft of economic acumen." The "city council is the nation's highest paid and although perhaps not as outrageously corrupt as the Chicago machine, it is not as effective." Unfortunately it manages to be "both thuggish and incompetent."
Among others, hope comes from the large Latino and immigrant population in and around Los Angeles. "In 2006, for example, roughly 10% of the foreign born population was self-employed, almost twice the percentage of the native born." Much of this entrepreneurial activity thrives beyond the balkanized city limits and provides a base on which LA could once again blossom.
FULL STORY: L.A.'s Economy is Not Dead Yet
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions
In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.
Alaska Village Becomes Test Case for Climate Change Relocation
The Yup’ik village of Newtok is the first Alaska community to begin a full-scale relocation necessitated by the impacts of climate change. Another 31 Alaska communities remain vulnerable.
Amtrak Takes Lead on Texas Central Rail
The high-speed rail project isn’t a done deal, but if it moves forward, trains could begin operating in 2030.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.