The Planning Report

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's quest for "elegant density" brings him to the annual convention of the American Institute of Architects, where he emphasizes his commitment to high-quality urban design.

Los Angeles' new Planning Director Gail Goldberg, and California Endowment head Dr. Robert Ross discuss how to build healthy communities through smart planning.

Arguably the most popular observatory-museum-planetarium in the world, the newly-restored Griffith Observatory is also one of the most recognizable buildings in Los Angeles.

Jane Jacobs wrote little about Los Angeles, a city that might make her shudder, but she is still fondly remembered there. Sam Hall Kaplan presents his personal account of one of the 20th century's greatest urbanists.

Renowned L.A. Architects Brenda Levin and William Fain call on L.A.'s new team of public officials to envision a smarter, denser, more functional city -- and to implement the policies to make it happen.

The Latino Urban Forum embraces, and adapts, the ideals of New Urbanism to prescribe an updated urban vision -- of walkable streets, healthy neighborhoods, and vibrant informal street life -- for Los Angeles' new urban majority.

The Los Angeles River can be considered either the most neglected or the most scrutinized and engineered waterway in the nation. Long entombed in concrete, the river is gaining a new lease on life thanks to a master plan process that seeks to reinvent the

The Los Angeles Housing Department and its director, Mercedes Marquez, take a thorough, systematic approach to protecting renters and helping find and develop properties for workforce housing.

Now in his second term, Mayor R.T. Rybak of Minneapolis has made housing, transit, and livability a priority both in Minneapolis and throughout the Twin Cities region.

The Getty's project manager for its Villa restoration and remodel describes the painstaking work to make a faux Roman Villa into both an authentic approximation of an archeological site and a spectacular setting for classical art.

The nation's largest urban park needs some sprucing up, and Melendrez landscape architects has recently submitted its draft master plan.

While L.A. searched for a new planning director to help implement Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's vision of a new L.A., one based on smart growth and higher densities, longtime area planner Mark Winogrond did more than keep the seat warm as City Planning dir

Forest City's long-term investment in L.A.'s core is paying off, says Senior VP of Development Kevin Ratner.

Law, public perception, and public benefit diverge in the wake of the Kelo decision. John Shirey attempts to explain what Kelo does -- and does not -- mean for redevelopment and its use of eminent domain.

Manchester councilman Richard Leese and Jason Prior of EDAW recount the civic-design partnership that helped revive an old city.

NBA great and entrepreneur Magic Johnson offers encouragement and advice for developers who want to build in the inner city.

Marty Blank of the Coalition for Community Schools helps neighborhoods across the country realize the dream of smaller, better, community-focused schools.

Architect Brenda Levin, FAIA, commemorates the opening of The National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in Los Angeles.

Rather than resign itself to being the buckle of the English Rust Belt, Manchester rediscovered its urban core and employed the EDAW design firm to make it more walkable, livable, and pleasant.

Andrew Altman, former D.C. Director of Planning, describes how he and Mayor Williams used planning as the catalyst for D.C.'s revival.