The Los Angeles Conservancy at 40: Looking Back and Ahead

The Los Angeles Conservancy turned 40 on March 20. As it marks four decades of preserving historic places throughout L.A. County, the organization considers the next 40 years of preservation in L.A.

1 minute read

March 24, 2018, 9:00 AM PDT

By colnick


Downtown Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Central Library. | Diego Grandi / Shutterstock

In 1978, a small group of concerned citizens formed the Los Angeles Conservancy to create an organized voice for historic preservation across the region. In the wake of major architectural losses including Bunker Hill, the Richfield Building, and Irving Gill's Dodge House—and fighting the demolition of other landmarks including the iconic Central Library—the fledgling Conservancy set out to change the conversation about historic places and how they contribute to a livable city.

The Conservancy marks its 40th on April 5 with a provocative discussion about the future of preservation in L.A. What will historic preservation in Los Angeles look like over the next 40 years? What’s the Conservancy’s role in addressing critical urban issues like density and housing? Who decides what to save?

In advance of the panel discussion, the Conservancy asked the organization's founding president and current chair for their perspectives on how the Conservancy has evolved and the challenges, and opportunities, ahead.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018 in Los Angeles Conservancy blog

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.