Empowering L.A.'s Next Planning Director

Observers hope L.A.'s next planning director will elevate the importance of the department to be on par with the city's police department.

1 minute read

May 30, 2005, 9:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"In the past, the selection of a planning director has barely registered as a blip on the public's radar. This time around, however, community stakeholders have seized on the opportunity to voice their concerns and ideas. A coalition of nearly four dozen community groups, individuals and planners led by Occidental College drafted a letter to the next planning director called "Planning for a Liveable City." It contains a litany of requests, from creating transit-friendly development to exploring innovative planning approaches to creating a master plan for developing the Los Angeles River and adjacent Cornfield State Park at the northern tip of Downtown.

...Last week the city began vetting about a dozen strong applicants for the job out of 30 resumes received. Some candidates have been recruited internally, while others came from national posts; there is at least one international resume, according to Mayor Jim Hahn's office. Insiders say the final choice will likely come from out of state, someone with a fresh approach to planning and management far removed from the current department."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Monday, May 30, 2005 in Los Angeles Downtown News

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

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 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight