A debate is simmering in Los Angeles between transit planners, developers, urban planners, and community activists about the future of transit-oriented development.
In the coming decades, much of Los Angeles' growth is going to be around transit stations. Places such as Culver City are already planning for the coming Expo Light Rail Line that will connect downtown Los Angeles with downtown Santa Monica; and new developments are either being planned or are already open in the blocks surrounding Los Angeles' existing subway.
The jewel of the Transit Oriented Development planners in Los Angeles is the W Development located above the Red Line Subway stop at Wilshire and Vine. The expensive and glitzy development has been a favorite of planning groups for combining the promise of upper-class, luxury living with a transit station and open space. The station itself has earned some rave reviews for its appearance and functionality.
But the Development, and both the city and MTA's Transit Oriented Development program has also come under fire for not following a design that better connects the community with the transit station. A lack of bike parking, intersections that haven't seen any improvements surrounding the station, and, in the case of the W, a rope line for a private club basically blocking people from leaving the Subway and entering the public plaza; have all been complaints from activists and community members surrounding the T.O.D.'s.
As L.A. moves into a more transit-future, the fate of these projects and their ability to get more people embracing a transit-oriented lifestyle will determing whether or not Los Angeles ever lives up to its previous billing as the "City of Tomorrow."
Thanks to Damien Newton
FULL STORY: What Was Missing from Last Week’s T.O.D. Conference

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie