Sorry Cars, L.A. Begins Turning its Streets Over to People

Since Mayor Garcetti announced one of his first major placemaking initiatives in October, community groups across Los Angeles have been waiting to learn more about how the innovative bottom-up, community-based People St program would work. With the launch of PeopleSt.org this week, the city's Department of Transportation (LADOT) has flushed out the details, reports Damien Newton. "All of the documents a community group needs to apply to create a plaza, parklet or bicycle corral in their own community are available online."

Not only does the website walk interested community groups through the application process, it also provides "pre-approved, required 'Kit of Parts' of design elements, intended to expedite the project process for Community Partners and avoid lengthy design review that would come with novel designs." Though any group is encouraged to apply, LADOT will select finalists for the program based on "community support, project location and ability to maintain the project once it is built."

"The People St program is a new step for the City of Los Angeles. It’s a more grass-roots and community focused style of planning than L.A. (or really any city) is used to," adds Newton. "If advocates, residents and other stakeholders wish to see more of this kind of planning, then People St needs to be an overwhelming success."