Los Angeles Dodger Senior Vice President of Planning and Development Janet Marie Smith reflects on her efforts to breathe new life into downtowns through sports stadiums.
At the recent 2014 Women in Sports and Events (WISE) Los Angeles gala, Janet Marie Smith was one of three recipients of the Women of Inspiration Awards. Smith's preeminent career in stadium planning and historic preservation includes, most recently, upgrades and enhancements to the 52-year-old Dodger Stadium.
The Planning Report attended the event and presents a transcription of Janet Marie Smith's remarks in its latest December issue. In her acceptance speech, Smith discusses her own beginnings in architecture and stadium renovation, and emphasizes the role of sports stadiums in bringing life back to urban downtowns.
Smith eloquently stated: "The alignment of the public-sector goal to revitalize downtown, coupled with Larry [Lucchino]’s vision for an old fashioned ballpark, demonstrated how sports could be used to invigorate urban development. Since Camden Yards opened in Baltimore in 1992, 20 of the 26 new MLB parks have moved into their downtowns to become a part of a city revitalization effort."
Read the full story: LA Dodgers' Janet Marie Smith Views Sports as a Means for Urban Revitalization
Dodger Stadium as Civic Space with a New Front Door
Janet Marie Smith, famous for helping plan Camden Yards in Baltimore, discusses how Dodger Stadium's 'new front door' will optimize transit and pedestrian access while preserving the field's historic character and sweeping 'postcard views.'
Los Angeles' Plan to Minimize Displacement During Urban Revitalization
Bloomberg Philanthropies will fund an "Innovation Delivery Team" in Los Angeles to approach the challenge of revitalizing urban neighborhoods while also creating improvements for existing populations.
Mired in a Sea of Parking, Dodger Stadium Architects Design a More Urbane Experience
In renovating Dodger Stadium to enhance the fan experience, the baseball team's ownership brought together a team of architects and planners known for integrating stadiums into the urban fabric of their surroundings.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Move over, LA: St. Louis gears up for Olympics, invests millions in downtown redevelopment
The Missouri city will host the 2028 Olympic soccer group stage and knockout matches.
Dallas releases zoning code overhaul to officials
The drafted overhaul is over 400 pages long.
NYC renovations for dangerous, ‘mercilessly crammed’ street delayed until 2027
Construction was supposed to begin this fall.
San Diego’s Midway Rising project gets greenlight from city council
The project looks to become the largest affordable housing development in California's history.
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 Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello