'Urban Acupuncture' Prescribed for Los Angeles' Streets

Pulling from Jaime Lerner's famed expression of 'Urban Acupuncture,' Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has chosen 15 major thoroughfares to transform into hubs of neighborhood activity as a part of the Great Streets initiative.

1 minute read

August 2, 2014, 9:00 AM PDT

By Maayan Dembo @DJ_Mayjahn


As reported in the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is relying on the "Urban Acupuncture" concept to make the case for the small local fixes to improve overall street life, as part of his Great Streets initiative. The plan selects 15 major thoroughfares scattered throughout the city to boost economic activity and reduce congestion by adding "bike racks, plazas, crosswalk upgrades and other amenities aimed at drawing in pedestrians and attracting new businesses."

Urban Acupuncture is the method of choice because Los Angeles lacks "the money and the space to add the types of transportation that would significantly reduce traffic congestion." Instead, Garcetti is hoping this treatment will bring "enough amenities to a neighborhood so that residents stay closer to home and, quite possibly, avoid using their cars altogether."

Saturday, July 26, 2014 in Los Angeles Times

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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