The L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted to approved a new master plan for the L.A. River—the “Reimagined River.”

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a new master plan for the Los Angeles River earlier this month, to replace the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan approved by the county in 2007.
According to an article by Pilar Marrero for Ethnic Media Services, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approved the Los Angeles River Master Plan, dubbed “The Reimagined River,” despite a last-minute decision by local environmental and community organizations to withdraw support for the plan the day before the board vote.
“During a press conference at Maywood Riverfront Park, representatives of these groups had harsh words for the Master Plan and the county leadership,” reports Marrero.
According to Public Works Department Executive Director Mark Pastrella, the discord comes from a question of how much concrete to remove from the river.
“[Pastrella] added that the channel provides protection to residential areas that ‘almost every year, face tremendous flows of waters,’” according to Marrero. “Removing concrete would require building more dams, reducing habitats, and displacing more than 100,000 people now living near the river, he added.”
The article also notes one of the more controversial components of the new master plan—a proposed “South East LA Cultural Center,” built on a platform park elevated over the river. Frank Gehry, whose firm had a controversial role in the master plan process, originally proposed the cultural center project.
For more background on the master plan, see an article by Alejandro JSM Chavez and Diana Martinez published by the San Fernando Valley Sun a few days before the board’s vote. See also previous coverage of the Los Angeles River Master Plan.
FULL STORY: County Supervisors Approve LA River Master Plan and Land Bank for Affordable Housing

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie