By many estimates, a city known for its pedestrian unfriendliness is developing pockets of local walkability. Minor disputes over pedestrian rights may add up to something bigger.
In a CityLab article, Laura Bliss writes about the "growing pains" Los Angeles may feel as its auto-friendly institutions learn to accommodate walkers. From the article: "with the city's continued expansion of rail service, development around new transit stations, and blossoming 'suburban downtowns' like Long Beach and Pasadena, Los Angeles is projected to rank 11th among 30 U.S. metros in walkability in the near future."
This ongoing transitions has sparked local disputes. They include:
- In a repopulating downtown, pedestrians have received jaywalking tickets for crossing after the red hand begins to flash.
- During this month's Big Parade, urban hikers exchanged heated words with a man who fenced off a public staircase out of concerns about crime.
FULL STORY: What 2 Battles Over Pedestrian Rights Say About L.A.'s Walkability
Op-Ed: Los Angeles Walkability Needs More Crosswalks
Although Los Angeles isn't famous for its walking culture, many neighborhoods are actually quite suited for it. That is, if streets could be made friendlier to the pedestrians they currently repel.
L.A.'s Sprawling Valley Undertakes a Pedestrian-Friendly Retrofit
The San Fernando Valley is infamous for its seemingly endless expanse of flat, gridded single-family sprawl. But to accommodate growth and improve the quality of life, the Valley's distinct neighborhoods are looking to create a sense of place.
Rejoicing in L.A.'s Walkable Heritage
The Big Parade, an annual event organized by writer Dan Koeppel, utilizes Los Angeles's historic public staircases as the setting to educate and entertain Angelenos, while building a sense of community.
Georgia's First Tiny Home Village Now Open, and Sold Out
Eight single-family houses on a half-acre of land.
The Most Complete Map of U.S. Pedestrian Risk Yet
New research published by the Journal of Transport and Land Use analyzes tens of thousands of pedestrian fatalities over 16 years in the United States.
Arizona's Tallest Building Will Soon Be Vacant
The tallest building in the Grand Canyon State will enter a new era.
Bikes Make Life Better
Urban Insight
Springettsbury Township
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard University Graduate School of Design - Executive Education
Jefferson County
City of Greensburg
City of Flagstaff
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.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
