Downtown Los Angeles, styled DTLA by its new enthusiasts, has long been a site for street art and murals of dubious legality. Now, developers are paying artists to paint them.

Developer-sponsored murals: cool public art or more corporate appropriation? Downtown L.A. is becoming a hotspot for that debate. Eddie Kim writes, "In recent years large-scale works have been commissioned to serve as defining features on buildings including the Eighth & Grand apartments, the Park DTLA office campus, One Santa Fe and The Row in the Industrial District, among many others."
In light of the area's rapid gentrification, the murals aren't well-received by all. "Others see a mass of corporate efforts overtaking the free-for-all street art culture that helped define the Arts District and other neighborhoods when Downtown had less mainstream appeal."
The corporate commissions can be a good source of income for local artists, but many L.A. murals still get whitewashed. And while a commissioned piece might be done in a "street" style, is it still "street art?"
FULL STORY: In Downtown, Street Artists Find a Surprising New Patron: Developers

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions