Los Angeles County

South Bay Gardens apartments

Los Angeles opens public housing waitlist for first time in over two years

The 16 properties with newly available waitlist spots accept families and senior residents.

August 19, 2026 - Los Angeles Magazine

People walking on Santa Monica Pier boardwalk with Ferris wheel visible close to shore on sunny day.

LA County's 'Beach Bus' offers $6 round-trip rides from inland LA to the beach

The annual summer service shuttles residents from eastside communities to Santa Monica.

May 27, 2026 - Secret Los Angeles

Tents used by unhoused people on concrete walkway with Venice Beach, California beach and palm trees in background.

LA Proposal Would Forcibly Remove Unhoused People Near Olympic Venues

Los Angeles County sent city officials a report outlining strategies for clearing homeless encampments, but advocates point out that the report itself notes there are not enough shelte resources to accommodate all unhoused residents.

February 6, 2026 - LAist

Sun rising over downtown Los Angeles with tall palm trees visible in foreground. Image is bright orange-red indicating extreme heat.

LA County Adopts Maximum Indoor Temperature Ordinance to Protect Renters from Extreme Heat

LA County has adopted an ordinance capping indoor temperatures in rental units at 82 degrees Fahrenheit in unincorporated areas, aiming to protect renters from extreme heat while providing phased compliance and support for small landlords.

August 10, 2025 - Random Lengths News

Downtown Los Angeles viewed from Echo Park with lake with artesian fountain in foreground.

A Vision for the Future: LA County Releases Draft Sustainability Plan

Los Angeles County has released the draft 2025 OurCounty Sustainability Plan — shaped by community input — and is inviting public feedback through August 22 to help guide the County’s path toward a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future.

July 29, 2025 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Downtown Los Angeles viewed from Echo Park with lake with artesian fountain in foreground.

A Historic Investment in LA County’s Parks and Open Spaces

Los Angeles County has launched its largest-ever competitive grant program, investing $58 million to expand park access, enhance climate resilience, and support community-driven projects in the areas that need them most.

July 22, 2025 - Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District

Sign for Loma Alta Park in Altadena, Los Angeles County.

A Park Reborn: Resilience and Renewal in Fire-Stricken Altadena

Rebuilt in just two months after the devastating Eaton Fire, Loma Alta Park now stands as a symbol of community resilience and renewal, even as some residents hope recovery efforts will continue to support housing stability and long-term equity.

May 20, 2025 - Pasadena NOw

Park pond at sunset with Los Angeles skyline in background.

Expanding Green Spaces in Greater LA: Challenges and Solutions

Creating parks and open space in L.A. County requires overcoming land scarcity, high costs, and other challenges through strategic partnerships, innovative multi-benefit designs, and policy reforms to ensure equitable access and sustainability.

March 17, 2025 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Red tailed hawk in flight with scrubland hills and trees in background in San Dimas Canyon Natural Area and Nature Center, California.

A Greener LA County: 623 Acres of New Parkland for Communities

Los Angeles County is investing $17 million to create 623 acres of new parks and open spaces, expanding access to nature, advancing equity, and enhancing community health and well-being.

February 26, 2025 - Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District

Downtown Los Angeles viewed from Echo Park with lake with artesian fountain in foreground.

A Sustainable Future for LA: Updating the OurCounty Plan

Los Angeles County is updating its Sustainability Plan to refine its vision for climate action, environmental justice, and community well-being, with residents encouraged to participate by taking the OurCounty 2025 Update Community Survey.

February 19, 2025 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Los Angeles, California skyline against mountains at sunset.

Building Resilient Communities: Insights from the LA County Cities Summit

The Los Angeles County Cities Summit convened local leaders to share strategies for advancing sustainability, addressing climate resilience, extreme heat, and other pressing environmental challenges through policy and community-driven solutions.

February 14, 2025 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Top floors of blue and white apartment building with palm trees against sunny blue sky in Malibu, California.

LA County Leaders Seek to Increase Penalties for Rent Gouging

Landlords who raise rents sharply after disasters could face fines of up to $50,000.

February 11, 2025 - Los Angeles Times

Close-up of pink tulips in bloom at Descanso Gardens, Los Angeles County.

Cultivating Color and Community: Seasonal Planting at Descanso Gardens

Descanso Gardens’ annual planting of 35,000 tulip bulbs showcases the power of seasonal design to enhance public spaces and engage visitors.

February 3, 2025 - NBC Los Angeles

Close-up of cluster of red paper Lunar New Year lanters at night.

Bringing Communities Together: Lunar New Year Festivities Across LA County

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, LA County Parks is hosting free community festivals at 61 parks, featuring cultural performances, food tastings, crafts, and interactive activities that honor the Year of the Snake and promote unity and tradition.

February 3, 2025 - The Los Angeles Post

Homes in Altadena, California with mountains in background on a sunny day.

Altadena’s Resilience: Restoring a Fire-Ravaged Community

The Eaton Fire has devastated Altadena, destroying homes, cultural landmarks, and community institutions, while residents rally to rebuild and preserve the town's rich history, diversity, and neighborly character.

January 19, 2025 - NBC News

Aerial view of Manhattan Beach pier.

Los Angeles County Secures Funding for Beach Protection

L.A. County is getting a $1 million grant from the California Ocean Protection Council to develop a Regional Coastal Strategic Adaptation Plan to protect its beaches from climate change impacts while prioritizing equitable access and sustainability.

December 24, 2024 - Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors

Grocery store produce section.

Food Insecurity in LA County Remains Alarmingly High Despite Some Improvement

Food insecurity in Los Angeles County remains above the national average, disproportionately affecting low-income and minority households, with researchers calling for expanded assistance and systemic solutions to address ongoing disparities.

December 24, 2024 - USC Dornsife

Close-up of person on road bike riding on protected bike lane separated by concrete curb from street.

Southeast LA Road Safety Advocates Call for Improved Infrastructure

Streets in southeastern Los Angeles County have a severe lack of protected bike lanes and traffic safety measures, leading to high numbers of fatalities in a community where many residents depend on walking and biking for daily needs.

December 11, 2024 - LA Public Press

Bird's eye schematic of Puente Hills Landfill Park redevelopment project.

Trash to Treasure: New Park Set to Redefine Open Space in the San Gabriel Valley

Puente Hills Landfill Park, opening in 2027, will transform a former landfill into a regional park with trails, scenic vistas, and various amenities, addressing environmental justice and providing much-needed green space for the San Gabriel Valley.

November 25, 2024 - Streetsblog LA

Large roof with solar panels and Los Angeles hills in background.

How Los Angeles County is Advancing Sustainability

A recently released report by the Chief Sustainability Office (CSO) shows that L.A. County is making progress on meeting the goals of the OurCounty Sustainability Plan.

November 13, 2024 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

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.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.