Los Angeles Department of City Planning Director Vince Bertoni shares the status of the planning department and the daily challenges of providing public-facing service and community meetings under social distancing orders.
Governor Newsom's shelter-in-place order has spurred public agencies and private firms alike in California to transition to remote work. But with construction continuing as an essential service, TPR spoke with Vince Bertoni, director of the Los Angeles Department of City Planning, on the status of the city's planning department and the daily challenges to providing public-facing service and community meetings under social distancing orders.
Bertoni, while addressing in real-time how the Department of City Planning is maintaining its essential functions for the city, also informs readers on what might be the likely impacts of COVID-19 on future community plans, the valuing of public space, and notions of livability, commenting: "I've definitely seen more democratization of our streets, and our streets now are belonging to more people. My question is whether that trend going to continue and what can we in planning do to ensure that it does?"
For the full interview, visit The Planning Report at The Planning Report.
FULL STORY: Bertoni on LA City Planning Department’s Response to Pandemic
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association