At a recent event in Los Angeles, Cecilia Estolano, CEO of the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, presented her vision for the Downtown of the future in one of the country's most notoriously diffuse urban centers.
The articles features excerpts from Cecilia Estolano's presentation:
"Thus, the question is not whether we need a downtown-we have a downtown-it's what is the downtown that we want? We're trying to rebuild a downtown of angels, not of demons, a downtown that is economically diverse, that is not just about the corporate elite, and that is about the aspirations of the immigrants and entrepreneurial spirit that made this a great city and has always made it a great city..."
"The other thing I want to say about Downtown is we also need to worry about the space itself. We've overly master-planned it. There is not a single spontaneous site along Grand Avenue. We need to focus now away from the mega projects into spontaneity. What are the interesting little places we can create-the little bookstores, the little funky houses, the little cool retail spaces? One of my jobs is to keep those retailers in business. All those cool retailers keep people living Downtown, wanting to stay in Downtown."
"A downtown should be filled with experimentation, public spaces, opportunities for new industries, places where creative classes come together, and cultural and entertainment venues that aren't exclusively corporate. As much as I am appreciative of the jobs created by L.A. Live and the tremendous spirit and energy that comes out of having the brands there, I still think it would be wonderful to have more serendipitous and authentic spaces for Downtown."
Thanks to James Brasuell
FULL STORY: Estolano: What Does CRA/LA Envision for ‘Downtown’ L.A.?
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
Minneapolis as a Model for Housing Affordability
Through a combination of policies, the city has managed to limit the severity of the nationwide housing crisis.
Indy Bikeshare System Turns 10, Expands to E-Bikes
Pacers Bikeshare riders logged over 700,000 rides since the system launched in 2014.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.