Ruminations on Profiling, Policing, and Planning
Stories highlighting the unique vulnerability of people of color - particularly men of color - in the public space remind planners and advocates that it is really hard for people to "reclaim" their streets and public spaces if trying to do so puts them in peril.
March 6, 2017
L.A. Metro Board Approves Development Guidelines for Vacant Lots
The guidelines call for attention to the community's history and current conditions, for community-serving retail and amenities, inclusion of publicly accessible green space, public art opportunities, and 40 to 60 units of affordable family housing for low-income households.
February 28, 2017
Reminder to Metro: Criminalization of Poverty at a Discounted Price is No Bargain
As the board prepares for this decision, it seems like a good time to remind both Metro and our law enforcement agencies that the passengers that have the greatest dependence on Metro are the ones who need safe passage the most. And right now, they're the ones who are least likely to feel like that is what they are getting.
February 23, 2017
Measure S and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Status Quo
So here we are. Trapped in other people's debates. Unable to address the really urgent questions we should be addressing about how we are growing as a city. And forced to take a developer-friendly position just to maintain a deeply imperfect status quo.
February 22, 2017
The Women’s March, the “It’s Not Your Time” Doctrine, Urban Planning, and You
I did not attend the Women's March in Los Angeles on Saturday.
January 27, 2017
Preview Design Options for the Slauson Segment of the Rail-to-River Bike/Pedestrian Path
In a year that has been mostly terrible from start to finish, it is nice to end on a positive note with happy drawings of how a blighted corridor might be transformed in a deserving neighborhood.
December 27, 2016
The Arctic Gets Protection from Drilling but L.A. Residents Still Have to Contend with the Drillers Next Door
Polar bears might be able to breathe a little easier, but neighborhood drilling around Los Angeles continues to be a problem.
December 22, 2016
L.A. Committee Debates Framework for Sidewalk Vending Ordinance; One Step Closer to Legal
The authorities confiscated her friend's goods this past Saturday, an emotional Caridad Vasquez told the Public Works and Gang Reduction Committee yesterday.
December 14, 2016
Controversial South L.A. Housing Project Heads to City Council Today
Putting on Your "Big Boy Pants" v. Putting Together a Good Project
November 22, 2016
“Law-and-Order,” the Resilience of White Supremacy, and You
"Where do things stand now?" I asked Adonia Lugo as we organized potential discussion themes ahead of this Sunday's Untokening event.
November 10, 2016