A legacy of discriminatory planning exacerbated the low-density sprawl that's been so hard for Los Angeles to roll back.

The Los Angeles stereotype is insane commutes and unwalkable streets. The stereotype is not completely unfounded, because of when the city was growing. "Social inequality is baked into the regional land use laws characterized by low-density sprawl that has contributed to car dependence," Emily Han writes for The American Prospect. The sprawl makes it particularly hard to grow public transit. "Long distances between home and work complicate walking and biking, while the absence of a high-frequency transit network also encourages driving," Han writes.
But many are looking to change that reality. "A walkable city means building more workforce housing, a robust bike network, and reliable transit that puts homes and employment in closer proximity," Han writes. Some road diets have been put in to slow drivers, but they've faced serious opposition, "despite the fact that road diets reduce fatalities, these projects have also generated considerable political controversy."
FULL STORY: The Continuing Quest for a More Walkable Los Angeles

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

Making Mobility More Inclusive
A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service