Damien Newton reports on L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's creation of a Transit Corridors Cabinet (TCC) to coordinate the work of all City departments and agencies with the goal of producing a "more transit-oriented Los Angeles."
One of the centerpieces of Villaraigosa's legacy as mayor has been the elucidation and implemention of his vision for transforming Los Angeles "from the 'car capital of the world' to a transit-rich metropolis," with development focused on creating "elegant density" around transit. Now that the mechanism for funding the expansion of the region's transit network is in place (albeit at a slower pace than he had hoped for), Villaraigosa is pointing the city's bureaucratic apparatus in the direction of spurring transit-oriented planning and development.
"In an Executive Directive last week, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa called on the City’s General Managers to create the Los Angeles Transit Corridors Cabinet (TCC), a central entity to ensure all City departments and agencies coordinate, collaborate, and communicate their efforts to bring about a more transit-oriented Los Angeles," says Newton.
The move comes not a moment too soon for a city that has historically built transit first, and only thought about how to leverage those investments for development afterwards. At least one transit advocacy group is cheering the Mayor's efforts.
“Move L.A. applauds Mayor Villaraigosa’s initiative in creating the TOD Corridors Cabinet and charging it with ensuring a heightened collaboration among city departments and its communities take full advantage of the opportunities created by LA Metro’s investments in our county’s transit system," writes Denny Zane, the Executive Director of Move L.A. "The Cabinet will help everyone get on the same page about TOD, which offers LA County real potential for building livable, equitable, affordable, walkable, bikeable, healthy, green neighborhoods.”
"While the announcement produced a collective yawn in the media," notes Newton, "if the cabinet works together and with communities to create an implement visions for better streets and the process is continued by Villaraigosa’s replacement in 2013, this could mark a major turning point in the city’s planning history. With the current and coming transit boom, better planning is needed for buildings that work in and for the community and streets that better serve all users."
FULL STORY: Villaraigosa to Department Heads: It’s Time to Work Together on T.O.D. Planning
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.
L.A.'s Complicated Dance Between TOD and Displacement
As the Los Angeles metro area expands its transit options, transit-oriented development is following suit. In some neighborhoods, lower-income residents are being displaced.
How Will L.A.'s New Inglewood Football Stadium Revitalize South Los Angeles?
The Los Angeles Rams COO details both the stadium's sustainable design and the positive impact the privately funded complex will have on Southern California.
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