The L.A. Department of City Planning is experiencing radical changes in leadership, planning process, and organizational structure. The leaders--past, present, and, future--of planning in L.A. gathered in August to discuss a vision for the future.
The article features a transcription of excerpts from the event, including remarks from newly confirmed Director of City Planning Michael LoGrande, L.A. Times Architecture Critic Christopher Hawthorne, and past Planning Department executives Jane Blumenfeld and Emily Gabel Luddy. Some quotes from the article:
"In our way right now is next year's budget. It really is devastating to see our department turn into a case-processing department." -Michael LoGrande
"There are 17 transit lines within 1,000 feet of this project. But, and this is my question to both the commission and the new planning director, at the moment there are no teeth in this plan's project approval to guarantee that this project will connect directly to the Metro stop in Westwood, which will happen someday. To me, that is a fundamental rule that needs to be made for urban design as well as everything else." -Emily Gabel Luddy
"Revised community plans, when completed, will make the quality of developments in neighborhoods far better and predictable and, very importantly with respect to building a constituency, developers and others who influence the mayor and council will not need to file cases at all." -Jane Blumenfeld
Thanks to James Brasuell
FULL STORY: Which Way for The Future of Planning in L.A.?

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service