A city famous for its intransigent car culture is bringing in an active transportation expert to run its Department of Transportation.
In July, Los Angeles City Council approved Mayor Eric Garcetti’s pick for General Manager of the LADOT: Seleta Reynolds. Moving south from her current position at San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Authority, Reynolds is preparing to prioritize biking and walking in a metropolis historically resistant to such efforts:
"Social interactions that strengthen neighborhoods and even can strengthen the resiliency of a community to recover after a disaster are improved if you offer people the opportunity to walk or bike to get around. Making those modes a real option for trips that are less than a mile for walking or one-to-three miles for biking is important for a huge variety of reasons."
With the new GM assuming her role this month, The Planning Report introduces Reynolds to readers—from her background working toward livable streets in San Francisco to her stint at Fehr & Peers. Acknowledging the large-scale challenges facing LADOT, she expresses eagerness to take on the job just as Los Angeles embarks on its Great Streets initiative. She notes, "This felt like a place and a time that really aligned with the kinds of projects that interest me the most."
FULL STORY: New LA DOT GM Enthusiastically Accepts Management Challenge
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A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
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The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
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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.
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