The restoration of degraded lands, including properties occupied by abandoned, redundant, or unwanted infrastructure, is of great importance in Los Angeles County, where numerous underserved communities are plagued with environmental burdens.

Degraded lands are often found in areas that have the most environmental burdens with respect to groundwater threat, hazardous waste, poor air quality, pollution burden, etc. These lands include properties occupied by abandoned, redundant, or unwanted infrastructure, such as decommissioned landfills, oil wells, rail yards, utility corridors, airports, and power plants. In Los Angeles County, many of the most environmentally burdened communities are also the most park poor per the Countywide Parks Needs Assessment and the most climate-vulnerable per the County Climate Vulnerability Assessment.
In locations where environmental burdens are concentrated and impactful land uses are defunct, multiple benefits can be derived from restoration projects like new parks that address residual pollution and unhealthy conditions, restore natural systems, and provide enhanced recreational opportunities for residents. In this article, park planner Clement Lau makes the case for a reimagined conservation and restoration approach that prioritizes and focuses funding and other resources to acquire, clean up, and reclaim degraded lands for park use in the communities that have the most environmental burdens.

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.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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