Yes, there will be jobs, and safety has improved since downtown revitalization efforts began over a decade ago. But Pico-Union residents are feeling routinely excluded--and shortchanged--when it comes to decisionmaking.
Writes Kate Linthicum: "[Resident Victor] Citrin moved here three decades ago and spent years fixing up an old hotel on 11th Street. He built living quarters inside, and outside, a garden.
Many mornings he sits there watching hummingbirds play. He'd rather his view didn't also include a large, shimmering Coca-Cola bottle - a multi-story LED billboard on the west side of the Ritz-Carlton that he calls "obscene."
He's alarmed that a draft deal approved by the City Council calls for more bright signage: more than 40 billboards on the publicly owned Convention Center. AEG and the city should have gotten more community input, he says."
FULL STORY: Los Angeles stadium plan draws mixed reaction in downtown's shadow
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Turns 100
The historic venue celebrates its 100th anniversary, marking a century of memorable moments that include two Summer Olympic Games.
Pershing Square, Downtown L.A.’s ‘Forgotten Park,’ Begins Long Awaited Revamp
A makeover that began in 2015 is finally underway in 2023, but the process of reconstructing Pershing Square is expected to proceed incrementally.
Proposed Megaproject the Latest to Redefine Los Angeles' Core
A proposed $2 billion megaproject would expand the footprint of the ongoing reinvention of Downtown Los Angeles and its surrounding neighborhoods.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
San Diego Votes to Rein in “Towering” ADUs
City council voted to limit the number of units in accessory buildings to six — after confronting backyard developments of up to 100 units behind a single family home.
Texas Legislature’s Surprising Pro-Housing Swing
Smaller homes on smaller lots, office to apartment conversions, and 40% less say for NIMBYs, vote state lawmakers.
Even Edmonton Wants Single Staircase Buildings
Canada's second most affordable major city joins those angling to nix the requirement for two staircases in multi-family buildings.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)