South Los Angeles

View looking up through large tree with blue sunny sky in background.

Improving South Los Angeles Through Strategic Tree Planting

The University of Southern California Urban Trees Initiative is planting 250 trees in South L.A. neighborhoods to improve shade, combat climate change, and enhance community well-being through collaboration and data-driven approaches.

November 25, 2024 - USC Today

Mature jacaranda trees full of purple blooms on street in Los Angeles, California.

Addressing Tree Canopy Disparity in South Los Angeles

A new study highlights the complex challenge of addressing tree canopy disparities in South L.A., where historical environmental injustices, budget constraints, and competing community priorities hinder efforts to increase equitable tree coverage.

October 21, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Rendering of aerial view of expanded Exposition Park in central Los Angeles with multiple sports stadiums and park facilities.

Exposition Park’s $351.5 Million Transformation

This revitalization will create vital green spaces, improve accessibility, and enhance connections with community, making Exposition Park a central hub for recreation and culture in Los Angeles.

October 7, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Google street view of vacant fenced-in dirt lot in South Los Angeles with graffiti on wall in background.

A New Vision for a South LA Oil Drilling Site

A local land trust wants to transform the defunct drilling site with a park, community center, and housing.

December 12, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Small white one-story building with Maggie Hathaway Golf Course sign with American flag on flagpole and green lawn

Expanding Access to Golf in South Los Angeles

L.A. County’s Maggie Hathaway Golf Course getting up to $15 Million from U.S. Open Community Legacy Project to expand access to the sport in South L.A.

June 8, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

View of lake at Earvin "Magic" Johnson Park

Magic Johnson Park to Reopen in February

A much-needed park in South Los Angeles will reopen to the public after undergoing major renovations.

February 1, 2022 - MIG

Los Angeles Apartments

Landlords in L.A. Attempt to Illegally Remove Tenants Who Can't Pay Rent

Some landlords in the Los Angles area aren't adhering to eviction moratoriums. In the midst of enormous financial strain, they are employing illegal tactics to forcibly remove tenants.

June 26, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

Urban Careers

Embedded Planning Movement Gains Traction

Jonathan Pacheco Bell chronicles the growth of a movement he created.

May 24, 2019 - UrbDeZine

South Los Angeles

Nipsey Hussle Wanted Community Partnerships for South L.A.’s Development Future

Before his death in March, Hussle has plans for an opportunity zone investment fund that would ensure the community wouldn’t lose out in the development process.

May 16, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Grand Park

A New Player in Planning Los Angeles: Marqueece Harris-Dawson

The new chair of the Planning and Land Use Management committee of the Los Angeles City Council will influence how the city grapples with homelessness, an expanding rail system, and the 2028 Olympics.

February 27, 2019 - The Planning Report

South Central Los Angeles

What Community-Based Zoning Enforcement Looks Like in South Central Los Angeles

Passion for urban planning, love of South Central LA communities, and historical background of the neighborhoods combine in this personal account by Jonathan P. Bell of community-based zoning enforcement.

February 6, 2018 - UrbDeZine

Los Angeles 110 Freeway

South L.A. Community Plans Tackle Gentrification

As public and private investment grow in South L.A., new community plans mark a victory for local organizers seeking to prevent displacement.

November 29, 2017 - KPCC

Los Angeles sprawl

New Community Plans for South L.A.

The Los Angeles City Planning Commission has approved new plans for parts of South Los Angeles. A focus on transit-oriented development and commercial revitalization has raised concerns over displacement.

July 6, 2017 - Curbed LA

Long Beach to Los Angeles

L.A. Metro Will Spend $81.5 Million to Improve Blue Line to Long Beach

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) appears to be taking a break from its perpetual expansion projects to make some improvements to the heavily used but aging Blue Line.

July 2, 2017 - Curbed Los Angeles

Bike Lane

Road Diets and Bike Lanes in the Works in South Los Angeles

Urbanize.LA has the scoop on the first indications of plans in South L.A. to give more space in the road to bikers.

June 19, 2017 - Urbanize LA

110 South

New Promise Zones Include South Los Angeles

South L.A.'s inclusion in the Promise Zones program marks a shift in the way the federal government measures poverty.

June 10, 2016 - LA Streetsblog

Hospital Care Returns to the Communities of South Los Angeles

A $250 million project, eight years in the making, returned inpatient hospital care to the neighborhoods of South Los Angeles.

July 22, 2015 - Los Angeles Times

Planners Reboot Public Health Efforts in South Los Angeles

A law passed to combat obesity and diabetes in South Los Angeles by slowing the proliferation of fast food restaurants has done little to change the landscape of the area.

May 11, 2015 - Los Angeles Times

Building Capacity in Underserved Urban Areas

Seeing projects through—whether affordable housing, public space, or infrastructure—for low-income populations in cities like Los Angeles requires grit and coalition-building.

April 2, 2015 - The Planning Report

Study: South Los Angeles Fast Food Ban Didn't Cut the Fat

A fast food ban enacted in 2008 in an effort to curb obesity, diabetes, and other chronic health issues failed to achieve its well-intentioned goals, according to a new study by the RAND Corporation.

March 19, 2015 - RAND

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.