A panel of distinguished Angelenos recently discussed the missteps that led to the dissolution of California's redevelopment agencies, the hole that their closure creates, and the possible paths forward.
The Planning Report has published excerpts from a frank conversation organized last month by the Los Angeles Westside Urban Forum. Moderated by Renata Simril of Jones Lang LaSalle, the panel, "Life After the CRA: A New Paradigm for Affordable Housing and Economic Development," featured LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, LAANE co-founder Madeline Janis, and Community Corporation of Santa Monica Executive Director Sarah Letts.
The panelists agreed that tax increment financing may remain a useful tool to address the original charge of redevelopment: alleviating urban blight and providing affordable housing. But, as was pointed out, community redevelopment agencies had appeared increasingly to reflect cronyism, channeling public money toward museums and downtowns rather than the most desperate urban areas.
The panelists attempted to answer two crucial questions: Where did things go wrong? And what steps are municipalities taking to replace these structural sources of public funds?
Thanks to Kevin Madden
FULL STORY: Westside Urban Forum Examines Life Without the CRA
What Has Measure ULA Achieved?
Los Angeles has imposed an additional tax on luxury home sales to generate millions for housing efforts in the city. Shelterforce checks in on where the money has gone, and what’s to come.
Supply, Demand, and Affordable Housing
Bill Witte, president of Related California, one of the most active developers of residential and commercial properties on the West Coast, talks about real estate, affordable housing, and a squeezed middle class with The Planning Report.
LA Parking Reform is Bearing Fruit
Changes to minimum parking requirements near transit lines are spurring more residential development with little or no on-site parking.
Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.
Savannah Reduces Speed Limits on Almost 100 City Streets
The historic Georgia city is lowering speed limits in an effort to reduce road fatalities.
A Park Reborn: Resilience and Renewal in Fire-Stricken Altadena
Rebuilt in just two months after the devastating Eaton Fire, Loma Alta Park now stands as a symbol of community resilience and renewal, even as some residents hope recovery efforts will continue to support housing stability and long-term equity.
Spain Moves to Ban 66,000 Airbnbs
The national government is requiring the short-term rental operator to remove thousands of illegal listings from its site as part of an effort to stem a growing housing crisis.
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.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions