Can New Schools Save L.A.'s Neighborhoods?

The Los Angeles school district's public works project to build 80 new schools is more on par with a small nation than a school district.

2 minute read

May 17, 2004, 1:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


There's little question that many Los Angeles residents are voting with their feet when it comes to choosing a school. Increasingly, residents are moving to smaller cities ringing Los Angeles rather than being forced to send a child into the much-maligned Los Angeles Unified School District. Will a new and innovative development team and community efforts like New Schools Better Neighborhoods be able to reverse the trend and transform Los Angeles' communities by building schools that revitalize communities? "New schools can do much to bring back those neighborhoods," says Jack Kyser, chief economist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. " 'There are a lot of areas in the urban core that have character and proximity to amenities, but they've slid. And that starts with the schools going downhill.'.. Phase 1, funded by the passage of Measure BB seven years ago, is plowing forward with a goal of 80 new schools by 2007 to relieve overcrowding and cut down on year-round schedules in the district's most densely populated areas. So far, 23 projects have been completed and nearly 100 others have broken ground... One reason is that resources have also been put toward athletic facilities, grass fields and play equipment. Outside of school hours, the district will maintain an open-door policy for the 240 acres of recreational space that will come with the new schools. Such spaces can be a big draw in parks-starved Los Angeles County."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Sunday, May 16, 2004 in The Los Angeles Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

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.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

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?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

July 10 - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

July 10 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of rainbow painted crosswalks at large intersection in Castro District, Sna Francisco, California.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts

Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.

July 10 - Streetsblog USA

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.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA