L.A.'s downtown Business Improvement District calls on local business people, property owners, and residents to get stepping in L.A.'s Fashion District, to evaluate the area's walkability. The BID has $1.6 million to make improvements by 2008.
Dozens of locals came out to Downtown Los Angeles' bustling Fashion District to critique the walking environment and offer suggestions for making it more appealing to visitors. Notes from the walk audit will be compiled into a preliminary report, which will serve as a guide to improving the area's walkability. Grant money from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will expire if not used by 2008, pushing leaders at the community Business Improvement District to generate concrete plans soon.
"'We're not at Times Square yet, but we're close,' said Kent Smith, executive director of the area's BID. 'Our district is 90 blocks. It's daunting in terms of people trying to get around.'"
"That the Fashion District needs the improvements is not in doubt. Like many parts of Downtown, sidewalks in the district are narrow and cracked in some places. Street "furniture" is mismatched in spots, crowds the walking area or is in disrepair. Elsewhere, access ramps direct people toward the center of intersections, instead of into the crosswalks."
FULL STORY: Strolling With a Purpose

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

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

Rethinking Computing: Researchers Tackle AI’s Energy Demands
USC researchers are reimagining how AI systems are trained and powered — through smarter algorithms, innovative hardware, and brain-inspired designs — to dramatically reduce computing’s energy footprint.

Amazon-Owned Robotaxis to Begin Testing in LA
Los Angeles will become the sixth city where Zoox is testing its autonomous vehicle technology.

New York MTA Says No More Borrowing, Will Cut Costs Instead
The agency says it won’t take out any new loans to finance its planned improvements and is finding other ways to cut costs.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions