Los Angeles
New Transit Systems of 2010
Garrett Bradford of TheCityFix reviews some of the most innovative and sustainable transit systems from around the globe that made their debut over the last twelve months.
Downtown L.A. Stadium Plans Fall Flat
Proposed designs for a possible football stadium in downtown L.A. leave a lot to be desired -- both architecturally and urbanistically, according to this review.
Signage Issues Resolved, Skyscrapers Get Approved in L.A.
Previous renderings of the building proposed for the two-tower, 42-story building on L.A.'s Wilshire Blvd. showed almost the entire structure wrapped in advertising. With a more modest space for signage, the project gets the thumbs-up.
Susan Straight's New Novel Depicts A Vision of LA Rarely Explored
Susan Straight's new novel draws on her experiences of growing downtown LA and its surroundings to create an image of a neighborhood 'reeking of cheap liquor and hurt.'
Ugly L.A. Deserves a Makeover
Los Angeles is ugly. But it doesn't have to be, argues Sam Lubell.
LA Finally Approves Dedicated Bus Lanes Along Wilshire Boulevard
The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority finally approved the construction of 7.7 miles of bus lanes along Wilshire Boulevard, with the exception of a one mile stretch in Westwood known as 'Condo Canyon.'
Dark Clouds Over L.A.'s Light Rail
Los Angeles is in the midst of expanding its light rail system. But a new idea to speed up the process has backfired and caused delays and major increases in estimated costs.
Major Riverfront Development Stymied in L.A.
After 25 years in conception and a recently renewed master planning effort, the 150-acre Piggyback Yards still awaits funding and approval from the city, reports The Architect's Newspaper.
Bus-Only Lane Proposal Meets Opposition in L.A.
Officials in Los Angeles are considering a plan to install a bus-only lane on the region's most used commuter route. But neighbors along a small segment of the road are fighting the proposal.
Los Angeles' Transit Rebirth
Los Angeles is engaged in one of the most massive rail building schemes of any American city since NYC extended its subways last century, however, LA's is a mixture of light and heavy rail, and may just be Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa's legacy.
A Think Tank for an Urban Garden
With new fast food restaurants temporarily banned in South L.A. and few new sources of food coming into the area, one local architecture professor set his students loose to work on ideas for a small urban farm.
Effort to Streamline Development Process Underway in L.A.
Officials in Los Angeles are trying to streamline the process of getting projects permitted and approved -- an effort that could rapidly increase the amount of time it takes to develop in the city.
School's in Session for Urban Planning High School
A new high school has opened in East Los Angeles that focuses specifically on urban planning.
The Wisdom and Future of Short-Run Transit
By looking at three Los Angeles examples of very short rail lines, writer Alissa Walker suggests that seemingly pointless but fun transit systems could be the best way to use transit to improve urban areas.
New L.A. Planning Codes Could Create 'Transit Sprawl'
A new group of activists in Los Angeles is warning that recently approved changes to the city's planning code could make it easier for transit-related projects to be approved even if they are not in alignment with neighborhood planning documents.
The Cultural Reshaping of Los Angeles
In this reflection on the new book "Los Angeles in Maps", James Rojas wonders what shape the city will take in the near and far future.
A Petri Dish for Dreams
That's how architect Brenda Levin, FAIA, describes her adopted city of Los Angeles, where she's spent the last 30 years helping the city's urban form evolve.
Developing A Coexistence Between High Speed Rail and L.A.
Los Angeles architect Roger Sherman is trying to help guide the car-centric L.A. area into harmonious coexistence with the state's planned high speed rail.
Doing More With Less in Los Angeles
In a recent press release, L.A. Director of Planning Michael LoGrande announced that he is reorganizing their reduced staff to "focus on and master critical functions."
Elections Could Sabotage L.A.'s 30/10 Plan
Christopher Hawthorne at the L.A. Times says that the Republican rise to power will likely spell doom for Mayor Villaraigosa's request for a federal loan to speed up transit construction. Still, he writes, the work will go on.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
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Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
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