Los Angeles

Outdoor dining patio in street in Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, surrounded by white picket fence

Proposed Outdoor Dining Ordinance Could Decimate L.A.’s ‘Al Fresco’ Dining

Restaurant owners say the new regulations proposed by the city for installing and maintaining outdoor dining areas would put them out of reach for many businesses.

February 9, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Green Line, Los Angeles

Rail Transit Plans Would Connect L.A.’s South Bay to the Regional Rail System

Two new transit extensions promise several new routes for South Bay residents to access the Los Angeles region’s transit system.

February 8, 2023 - The Source

Rendering of landscaped street with street trees and pedestrian sidewalk

South L.A. Complete Streets Project Back on Track

First proposed in 2015, the Broadway-Manchester redesign would add bike infrastructure, pedestrian improvements, trees, and other amenities.

February 7, 2023 - Urbanize LA

A tent covered in blue and black tarps sits on a downtown Los Angeles sidewalk with the white ziggurat-topped L.A. City Hall looming in the background

L.A. County Towns Clash Over Homelessness Policies

Local governments often come to different conclusions about how to address homelessness within their respective borders, but varying approaches only exacerbate the problem.

February 3, 2023 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green alley under construction

Green Alleys: A New Paradigm for Stormwater Management

Rather than shuttling stormwater away from the city and into the ocean as quickly as possible, Los Angeles is now—slowly—moving toward a ‘city-as-sponge’ approach that would capture and reclaim more water to recharge crucial reservoirs.

February 2, 2023 - Curbed

Girl swinging on rope swing overlooking Los Angeles

Outdoor Destinations for the Carless in Los Angeles

Learn about eight L.A. parks that you can reach from Union Station without a car.

January 23, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

A California Gull walks along the shore, searching for food while surrounded by a swarm of bugs.

L.A.’s Water Diversions Threaten Critical Habitat Far to the North

Water levels at Mono Lake, nestled in a stunningly beautiful location on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevadas that provides the eastern gateway to Yosemite, have fallen to a critical level of a local population of nesting gulls.

January 16, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Oil Pump in Los Angeles

Lawsuit Challenges L.A. Oil Drilling Ban

Oil companies with operations in the city of Los Angeles are suing over an ordinance that seeks to phase out drilling within city limits due to public health and environmental concerns.

January 12, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles, California

City Council Controversy Threatens L.A.’s Proposed Downtown Plan

A Los Angeles Times editorial explains how political intrigue is spilling over into planning frustration in the city of Los Angeles.

January 11, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

View of Los Angeles skyline on sunny day with palm trees in foreground

Opinion: Los Angeles Needs More Housing, Fast

The shortage of housing at all price points in the region is the main driver of high costs and the growing homelessness crisis.

January 4, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

6th Street Viaduct against the Los Angeles skyline at dusk

L.A. Planning Department Adjusts to State Housing Laws

Los Angeles Director of Planning Vince Bertoni was recently interviewed the effects of new state planning and housing laws in the state’s most populous city.

January 3, 2023 - The Planning Report

Two people holding sign that says "house keys not handcuffs" during an anti-homelessness event in Los Angeles, California

The Complexity of Homelessness in Los Angeles County

The homeless crisis is complicated and is associated with high housing costs, inadequate shelter spaces, deinstitutionalization, changes in the criminal justice system, and other factors.

December 29, 2022 - KCET

Los Angeles Residential Street

Lawsuit Filed to Halt L.A.’s Mansion Tax

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is among the groups suing to block the city of Los Angeles’ voter-approved ‘mansion tax.’

December 29, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

Rattlesnakes

L.A. ‘Wildlife Ordinance’ to Protect Biodiversity With Zoning Changes

The Los Angeles City Planning Commission recently approved a new Wildlife Ordinance. The City Council will make the final decision about the ordinance’s approval.

December 22, 2022 - Los Angeles Department of City Planning

Eviction Crisis

L.A. Ends COVID Eviction Protections

Some of the nation’s longest-lasting eviction protections are set to expire in February, while the future of other renter assistance programs remains uncertain.

December 20, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

A school blacktop is viewed from bird’s eye view. The blacktop is adorned with painting and colors for games. but no children are present.

Identifying and Improving Schools Most In Need of Greening

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has developed an index to help identify the schools that are most in need of greening resources.

December 19, 2022 - Los Angeles Unified School District

Los Angeles Residential

Critics Expect L.A.’s New ‘Mansion Tax’ to Chill Development Market

A new real estate transfer tax won the approval of L.A. voters after being promoted as a “mansion tax.” No some real estate and development experts are saying that the new transfer tax will have a much broader impact on the real estate market.

December 19, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

A map showing the extent of the San Fernando Valley Groundwater Basin in the northern reach of the city fo Los Angeles, along with a few other, smaller, adjacent groundwater basins.

Superfund Project to Deliver Massive Water Supply Boon to Los Angeles

The semi-arid region of Los Angeles is often mistaken for a desert, but the local water supply is also constrained by the environmental sins of the 20th century. The water supply equation of Los Angeles will soon change, however.

December 14, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

Aerial view of San Gabriel River where it meets the ocean in Long Beach, California

L.A. County Calls for Flood Control Improvements

Recently revealed estimates put far more people in the region at risk for catastrophic flooding than previously thought.

December 8, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

View of black oil wells behind chain link fence with barbed wire top

Los Angeles To Phase Out Oil Drilling

The city has banned new wells and will end all extraction within two decades.

December 6, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

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.

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.