Los Angeles
L.A.'s New Light Rail Line Reports Strong Ridership, Without Cannibalizing Other Transit
After an inauspicious start, L.A.'s Expo Line may surpass its 2020 ridership projections by the end of this year. The line has proved popular with those headed to work, school, and entertainment destinations; without stealing riders from bus routes.
For Planners, Investment in Social Media Pays Dividends
With the right approach, social media can expedite the exchange of information between stakeholders, facilitate participatory planning, and build better places. Two case studies offer insight for using social media to connect with communities.
Friday Facepalm: Ironic Bike Lane Block Edition
A couple of months ago we told you about a new bicycle safety campaign being run by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). Apparently the memo didn't go out to Metro's bus drivers.
For L.A.'s Union Station, Designers Aim for the Extraordinary
The consultants developing a master plan for L.A.'s historic Union Station have unveiled four design concepts for the station that seek to accomodate high speed rail and improve passenger amenities.
Success of L.A.'s Rail Investments Rely on First and Last Mile Connections
Alex Schmidt looks at efforts to re-'train' L.A. drivers to use the city's growing rail network. Planners are focusing on rezoning areas within a 10-minute walk from stations, but face obstacles in blending density with single-family districts.
L.A. Museum Redesign Aims to Redefine How the Public Engages Art
Soon to be unveiled plans for a $650 million redesign of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art by Pritzker Prize winning architect Peter Zumthor "would rank as one of the most significant works of architecture to rise in Los Angeles," if completed.
As Natural Gas Prices Rise, Utilities Turn Toward Coal
An Ohio utility is switching to coal due to the rising price of natural gas, illustrating how sensitive fuel prices are to utilities. However, when it comes to building new plants - natural gas has the advantage due to coal's higher capital costs.
L.A. Opens its Streets and Residents Take Advantage
Sunday saw the sixth incarnation of L.A.'s popular CicLAvia event, which closes long stretches of city streets to automobile traffic, and opens them to bikes and pedestrians. The latest route, from downtown to the sea, attracted 150,000 people.
Seattle Looks to L.A. for Lessons on Creating an Entertainment District From Scratch
Although its inward-facing corporate design may be loathed by architects and planners, L.A. Live's success in helping to draw redevelopment and activity to South Park is indisputable. Can its successes be replicated in Seattle?
LA's Oldest Palm Tree Thrives after 150 Years
In Los Angeles, where “historic” is a relative term, a 150-year-old house is remarkable. How about a 150-year-old palm tree?
Will L.A. Overturn a Controversial Fast Food Ban?
After four years of banning the construction of new stand-alone fast food restaurants in South L.A., the city's planning department is considering raising the ban amid increasing questions about the impact of food deserts on obesity.
L.A. Looks Ugly; But Is That So Wrong?
The quality of L.A.'s public structures falls far below its remarkable private residences. Greg Goldin argues why we should see the beauty in its greatest creations: its infrastructure and evolving collection of noisy storefronts.
L.A.'s New HOT Lanes Not Working as Planned
Yes, L.A.'s first foray into congestion pricing has improved travel times for those utilizing the high occupancy/toll lanes, but congestion has gotten worse in all other lanes, to the surprise of planners.
Plan for Successor to L.A.'s Shuttered Redevelopment Agency Takes Shape
The state-ordered demise of the Community Redevelopment Agency has been a huge blow to redevelopment and affordable housing efforts in Los Angeles. A new plan being put forth by city leaders hopes to help fill that void, reports Ryan Vaillancourt.
Wide-Ranging Retrospective on L.A.'s Modern Architecture Misses the Mark
A new series of exhibitions being organized by the Getty Trust around the subject of LA's modern architectural history includes a significant blind spot, says Christopher Hawthorne. He outlines the prequel necessary to understand the whole story.
Can L.A. Turn its Storm Water Headache into a Drinking Water Solution?
In its enduring quest to slake its immense thirst, and protect its beautiful beaches, Los Angeles leaders are putting forth an ambitious proposal to solve two problems with one solution: make runoff drinkable.
Placemaking Confronts Entertainment Initiative in a Downtown L.A. Alleyway
A quaint downtown L.A. alleyway celebrated for its Old World charm has been cleared of its outdoor dining facilities to ease access to a rehabilitated theater's loading dock. Can an equitable compromise be found?
Inequality Finds a Home in the Suburbs
Through the lens of the Los Angeles region, Becky M. Nicolaides and Andrew Wiese examine how America's suburbs sustain and reinforce inequality.
Watts Towers Rehab Has Broader Relevance
For years, the Watts Towers have suffered from problems small and large: bits of decorative glass and pottery falling to the ground; cracks snaking their way through the structures and growing longer over time. A new effort aims for lasting fixes.
Merger of L.A.'s Planning Department Looking Increasingly Likely
Long rumored plans to merge L.A.'s Department of City Planning with Building and Safety to cut costs and streamline permitting are coming into focus, as the outgoing mayor tries to push through the reforms before he leaves office.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
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
