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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

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.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Cobblestone street with vintage street lamps in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah Reduces Speed Limits on Almost 100 City Streets

The historic Georgia city is lowering speed limits in an effort to reduce road fatalities.

6 hours ago - WJCL

Sign for Loma Alta Park in Altadena, Los Angeles County.

A Park Reborn: Resilience and Renewal in Fire-Stricken Altadena

Rebuilt in just two months after the devastating Eaton Fire, Loma Alta Park now stands as a symbol of community resilience and renewal, even as some residents hope recovery efforts will continue to support housing stability and long-term equity.

7 hours ago - Pasadena NOw

Colorful historic homes in Madrid, Spain.

Spain Moves to Ban 66,000 Airbnbs

The national government is requiring the short-term rental operator to remove thousands of illegal listings from its site as part of an effort to stem a growing housing crisis.

May 20 - The New York Times

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.