As public and private investment grow in South L.A., new community plans mark a victory for local organizers seeking to prevent displacement.
Updated community plans for South and Southeast Los Angeles accommodate more than 15,000 new housing units for about 43,000 people, KPCC reports. New development is particularly focused along transit corridors, which are seeing renewed development interest alongside planned rail investment by L.A. Metro.
Mindful of rising home prices in the southern part of the city, the new plans incorporate "about 80 percent" of a set of anti-displacement proposals methodically prepared over the last decade by a neighborhood coalition. They include incentives for affordable housing, public space, and needed commercial developments like grocery stores and banks, while limiting residential exposure to industrial pollution.
But what didn't make the cut from the People's Plan—led by United Neighbors Against Displacement—has some residents still worried about how they will weather the gentrification anticipated ahead. Measures proposed by UNIDAD, but missing from the city's plans, included annual caps on demolition and condo conversions, as well as incentives to discount retail space for local businesses.
FULL STORY: City Council approves plans aimed at halting South LA gentrification
High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA
When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.
The Newest Tool in the Affordable Housing Toolbox: Eminent Domain
Los Angeles has taken a rare step in anti-eviction action, considering the use of eminent domain to protect tenants of an apartment building in a gentrifying part of the city.
L.A. Crafting Legislation for 'Anti-Displacement Zones'
The idea that new development results in rising costs for renters in the surrounding neighborhood drives a new effort in Los Angeles.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)