Los Angeles

A rendering of a woman wearing a virtual reality headset, swiping through virtual reality landscapes.

Why The Metaverse Will Be Bad For Cities

The renaming of Los Angeles's Staples Center to Crypto.com Arena may seem like an innocuous promotional gambit. But it means that cities are now in competition with a seductive virtual world.

December 17, 2021 - CommonEdge Collaborative

Looking out over Port of LA. A low fog rolling in over the whole area.

Port Logjam Contributing to Dismal L.A. Air Quality

Emissions from container ships idling outside Southern California's ports are adding to pollution that has blanketed the region in a noxious layer of smog.

December 16, 2021 - Curbed

NIMBY Sign

On Housing, Cities' Traditional Political Labels No Longer Apply

Historically liberal cities belie their supposed concern for human welfare by rejecting new development. Meanwhile, more conservative cities have seized the moment to become more progressive, innovative, and inclusive.

December 8, 2021 - California Planning & Development Report

Downtown Los Angeles

L.A.'s New Housing Element Calls for 456,000 New Homes

The newly updated Housing Element of the city of Los Angeles General Plan makes an ambitious commitment to housing construction—after decades of slow construction and a population out of scale with the city's housing stock.

December 7, 2021 - Urbanize Los Angeles

A view of the Pacific Ocean and California coastline from high in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Santa Monica Mountains Acquires More Land For Conservation

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority has acquired the final 150 acres of the 325-acre Triangle Ranch open space in the Santa Monica Mountains.

December 6, 2021 - The Acorn

California Homeless

Study: At Least 1,500 Unhoused Died on the Streets of L.A. During the Pandemic

New research represents the first detailed picture of death among people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic.

December 2, 2021 - The Guardian

Los Angeles Protest

L.A. Shifts Homeless Policy to Clear Street Encampments

Advocates say L.A.'s new focus on clearing 'unsightly' homeless encampments is a political band-aid that won't help people find permanent housing.

November 22, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Third Street Promenade Santa Monica

Businesses Oppose Conversion of Parking Structure Into Affordable Housing

Business owners in downtown Santa Monica have filed a lawsuit opposing the city's planned replacement of a parking structure with housing, despite city studies showing that the city's downtown parking supply far exceeds demand.

November 16, 2021 - Vice News

Port of Los Angeles

Zoning and the Global Supply Shortage

Zoning has been blamed for a lot of things in recent years, but a global supply crunch increasing prices and creating shortages of household goods—and potentially ruining the holidays—is a new one.

November 10, 2021 - James Brasuell

Sustainability Leadership and ESG Commitments

Lendlease’s new head of sustainability in the Americas, Sara Neff, describes the advantages of the Australian company’s global integrated business model and leadership in sustainable buildings.

November 3, 2021 - The Planning Report

Expo Line LA Skyline

New Bike and Bus Lanes Coming to Culver City, California

The MOVE Culver City project will connect downtown Culver City with the E Line train, giving residents easier access to downtown Los Angeles and beach communities.

October 19, 2021 - Urbanize Los Angeles

Stahl House Los Angeles

Million-Dollar Homes Becoming Standard Fare Across Los Angeles

As households with means seek to escape crowded apartment buildings and take advantage of historically low mortgage rates, average home prices of over $1 million are proliferating across the LA region.

October 6, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Glendale, California

How the Iconic Dingbat Took Over Los Angeles

The low-slung, car-oriented apartment buildings represent a mid-century solution to a housing shortage and offer valuable lessons for new development.

September 28, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

A group of socially distanced tents for the homeless are set up on a parking lot in San Francisco's Civic Center.

Cities Need More Public Bathrooms–Well Beyond the Pandemic

COVID-19 laid bare the dismal state of public bathrooms in America, and some cities stepped up to add more facilities. But why remove them while the need remains?

August 30, 2021 - Diana Ionescu

Los Angeles Smog Skyline Zoom

A 'Tiny Home Village' Grows in Los Angeles

The complex can house over 200 people and will provide bathrooms and social services for people transitioning out of homelessness.

August 23, 2021 - The Eastsider LA

Los Angeles Subway

Report: How L.A.'s Transportation System Fails Women

According to an LADOT study, the city's women face disproportionate barriers in accessing safe, efficient transportation.

August 11, 2021 - LAist

Palmer Apartments

Developer Accuses L.A.'s Eviction Moratorium of Illegal Taking, Files Lawsuit

Geoff Palmer is suing the Los Angeles, seeking $100 million to make up for income lost because of the city's eviction moratorium during the pandemic.

August 11, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Public Toilet

Opinion: Keep Public Toilets at L.A. Homeless Encampments

The city is planning to remove the hundreds of public toilets and hand-washing stations installed during the pandemic. But the need for them isn't going away.

August 3, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

People boarding bus at LA Metro Bus Stop, Alvarado Street, Los Angeles

Where to Preview L.A.'s New Bus Shelters

Angelenos can try out the new designs at six locations this summer, with the full program set to launch in 2022.

July 29, 2021 - Urbanize LA

Rendering of the proposed Liberty Canyon Wildlife Corridor

California Wildlife Crossings Get New Funding

The state is budgeting $61 million to build wildlife crossings that increase biodiversity, help species thrive, and save both human and animal lives.

July 28, 2021 - CALmatters

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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.