The Los Angeles 2020 Commission released a report that presents a scathing portrayal of Los Angeles, including a section on the city’s broken planning process.
The Los Angeles 2020 Commission, appointed by City Council President Herb Wesson and populated by 13 citizens of high standing in business and policy, has released a report called "A Time for Truth."
David Zahniser reports that the report "[offers] a harsh assessment of civic decision-making, warning that Los Angeles is heading to a future where local government can no longer afford to provide public services" and "lacks a coherent approach to economic development and trails other major cities in job growth."
The report examines several land use and infrastructure cases, including investments at the Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport, and a $1 billion development plan sought by the University of Southern California. The report calls the years it took to approve that proposal "Not a sensible way to treat the city's largest private employer."
The report also devotes a section to discussion of the city’s outdated community plans and 1940s zoning code: "As a consequence of poor planning and outdated zoning, almost all projects have to go to City Hall for review and approval and, absent a clear set of ground rules, are subject to the whims of special interests, 'nimbyism' and City Hall insiders."
Read the full story: Report calls L.A. a city in decline, warns of crisis in leadership
New All-Affordable Zone Proposed for L.A.’s Skid Row
A Los Angeles Times editorial argues that Skid Row’s future should learn from the mistakes of the past.
L.A. Mayor Proposes Guaranteed Income Program
The city could give 2,000 families $1,000 a month in what would be the largest program of its kind in the country.
Op-Ed: It’s Long Past Time for Planning Reform in L.A.
Another corruption scandal involving a Los Angeles city councilmember highlights the urgent need for major planning changes in the city.
‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan
Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.
Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment
Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.
Mamdani sent nearly 6,000 pied-à-terre tax warnings to homes that didn’t qualify
A judge has ordered the administration to cancel thousands of pied-à-terre tax notices after it sent 35% of them erroneously.
25 states, cities sue the EPA over erased power plant emissions limits
The coalition also intends to sue the EPA for not regulating emissions from gas-fired power plants.
Newsom vetoes giving CA tribes greater voice in water projects
In his veto letter, Newsom said the bill would add ‘uncertainty’ to the state’s fight to secure Californians’ water supplies.
Michigan Senate votes to revise 'lax' dam safety laws
A Bridge Michigan investigation found more than 100,000 Michigan residents live in the floodpath of a high or significant-hazard dam.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello