Los Angeles

Wilshire Grows and Traffic Follows

A swath of residential developments are ushering in a more dense and more lively atmosphere into L.A.'s Wilshire corridor. But many are concerned that the new residences will add too much traffic to an already congested area.

March 11, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Similar Sister Cities

A look at the similarities between Los Angeles and Mexico City.

March 11, 2008 - LA Weekly

Sacramento Outsmarts San Francisco, L.A.

Residents of San Francisco and Los Angeles like to feel superior to supposedly unsophisticated Sacramento. Yet, Sacramento appears to be ahead of the hip coastal areas when it comes to actually implementing smart growth.

March 10, 2008 - California Planning & Development Repot

Guarding the Hollywood Sign

This report from NPR looks at the impending sale of land on the hillside above the infamous Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, and the local official who's trying to prevent it.

March 10, 2008 - NPR

L.A. Erasing Murals

Murals are under fire in Los Angeles, as city officials are painting over what they see as "illegal signs".

March 8, 2008 - Which Way, L.A.?

End of Downtown Construction Boom May Be Near

Two notable large-scale projects in downtown L.A. have not broken ground on time, which many see as a sign of the end of downtown's real estate boom.

March 1, 2008 - The Architect's Newspaper

Beneath the Surface of L.A.'s Densification

This article from the LA Weekly looks at efforts by the city planning department and key politicians to increase the density of the city.

February 29, 2008 - LA Weekly

Is L.A. Ready to Rethink Mobility?

Plans to convert major arteries to one-way streets in L.A. are meeting tough criticism. Many say the city needs to rethink what mobility should mean, but others say L.A. isn't ready for such a paradigm shift.

February 28, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Tying Rail in Downtown L.A.

Plans are being floated to create better downtown linkage between three of L.A.'s rail lines -- an idea that some downtown residents are wary of.

February 27, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Downtown Development Rights For Sale In L.A.

Outside experts believe the City of Los Angeles is making a density mistake by selling downtown development rights.

March 20, 2007 - Los Angeles Times

Wanted: More Urban Parks in Los Angeles

Author D.J. Waldie calls for the creation of more open space in park poor Los Angeles.

October 5, 2005 - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles' Town Home Ordinance

Livable Places explains the impact of allowing the construction of new "fee-simple" town homes in areas zoned for apartments or commercial development.

March 1, 2005 - Livable Places

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.

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.