News

August 30, 2024

CoMotion LA's Tim Gribaudi on LA28: How Paris' Success Could Inform LA's Olympic Transportation Strategy

Tim Gribaudi, Managing Director at CoMotion, focuses on what LA28 might learn from the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympic games, particularly related to mobility and ground transportation.

August 5, 2024

Rick Cole on Pasadena's Future: Leadership, Homelessness, and Urban Challenges

Rick Cole previously served twelve years on the Pasadena City Council. After stepping down 29 years ago, he went on to serve as City Manager in the cities of Azusa, Ventura and Santa Monica, as well as L.A.’s Deputy Mayor for Budget and Innovation and Executive Director of the Congress for the New Urbanism. Since 2022, he’s been Chief Deputy Controller in the City of Los Angeles. In March he was re-elected to his old District 2 Council seat by a 60% margin -- and will be sworn in on December 9. In the meantime, he continues to serve on the Pasadena Planning Commission. The Planning Report checked in on what Cole sees ahead for Pasadena – including his perspectives on homelessness, housing and transportation.

August 2, 2024

LAEDC Panel: Economic Impact on Los Angeles’ Economy of Arts, Music & Culture

Last month the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) hosted a panel discussion, introduced by LA Mayor Karen Bass, that focused upon the significant impact - even before LA28, the Arts/Music/Culture have on the region’s sizable Economy. Featured panelists were: Snehal Desai, the Artistic Director of Center Theatre Group, Raphael Gonzales, the CEO of Grand Performances, and Wendy Raquel Robinson, the Co-founder and Artistic Director for Amazing Grace Conservatory in South LA. A lightly edited transcript of their thoughtful and inspiring remarks is below.

June 14, 2024

Brenda Levin FAIA, Recognized at USBCG-CA with Lifetime Achievement Award

Meticulous, innovative, creative, and possessing a unique sensibility toward placemaking—perfectly captures the essence of this well-deserved nomination of Brenda Levin, FAIA. The Board of Trustees commends Brenda for a lifetime of work that showcases the feasibility of preservation and paves a new path for the revitalization of Downtown Los Angeles—one that embraces its monuments rather than erases them.

June 13, 2024

Bridging the Gap: Advancing the Adoption of Hydrogen in Port Operations

As global supply chains push for greener solutions, ports face the challenge of integrating zero-emission technologies into their operations. This panel discussion, moderated by Brian Goldstein, a veteran in the alternative fuels space, explores the critical role of hydrogen in transforming the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach into sustainable hubs. Panelists from various sectors, including port authorities, labor unions, and technology providers, share insights into the complexities of adopting hydrogen technology, highlighting the need for collaboration, infrastructure development, and regulatory alignment. Sean A. Gamette and Michael Galvin, representing the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles respectively, delve into the challenges and strategies of achieving zero-emission cargo handling by 2030. They discuss the necessity of a balanced approach, combining grid power and hydrogen fuel cell technology, and the intricacies of master planning for terminal infrastructure. Sal DiCostanzo and Matthew Dickinson provide perspectives from the frontline, highlighting the importance of safety, training, and the economic implications of transitioning to hydrogen. Their collective insights illustrate the path forward, marked by innovative solutions, regulatory pressure, and the evolving demands of a sustainability-conscious market.

June 13, 2024

AltaSea: The Port of Los Angeles’ Institute for Advancing the Blue Economy

On May 29th supporters and dignitaries joined AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles for the ribbon cutting of the Center for Innovation at Berth 58 – a monumental milestone for AltaSea. The Center for Innovation is part of AltaSea’s $35 million transformation of three 100+ year old historic warehouses at the Port of Los Angeles into modern spaces for cutting-edge research, education, workforce development, and innovation around ocean-based solutions to climate change.

June 7, 2024

Book Review: Broken City, Land Speculation, Inequality, and Urban Crisis. by Setha Low, Ph.D.

Patrick M. Condon's book, *The Broken City: Land Speculation, Inequality, and Urban Crisis*, addresses the escalating housing costs and rents in major cities worldwide, attributing the crisis to land speculation, stagnant wages, and neoliberal policies. Through an analysis of historical data and economic theory, Condon explores the intricate relationships between land, labor, and capital, highlighting how rising land values and inadequate shelter contribute to socioeconomic inequality and health disparities, as starkly evidenced during the COVID-19 pandemic. He examines various international and local solutions, emphasizing the potential of modern land value taxes and zoning reforms to mitigate the urban housing crisis. Condon's comprehensive approach offers insightful strategies to create more equitable and sustainable urban environments.

May 30, 2024

A One on One With LA 43rd City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto

Hydee Feldstein Soto, the 43rd City Attorney of Los Angeles, has restructured her office to improve transparency, accountability, and collaboration, establishing new branches focused on real estate, public rights, and consumer protection. Her priorities for the upcoming year include legislative efforts in Sacramento, community engagement initiatives like "Coffee with the City Attorney," and technological upgrades for the Criminal Branch. Feldstein Soto discusses her close working relationship with Mayor Karen Bass, particularly in addressing homelessness and housing challenges, and has implemented innovative solutions like the public health and safety receivership for the Skid Row Housing Trust and the Community Outreach Court. She is focused on combating human trafficking, copper wire theft, nuisance abatement, and corruption, aiming to transform the City Attorney's office into a modern public law firm dedicated to justice and public service.

May 2, 2024

Transforming Exposition Park: A Vision for the Future

In a detailed interview with Andrea Ambriz, General Manager of Exposition Park's Master Plan, significant insights into the park's development over the past five years were unveiled. The Master Plan, focused on integrating diverse entities within the park, has made notable progress with multiple construction projects in motion, including expansions to renowned institutions like the Natural History Museum and the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Furthermore, infrastructural enhancements, including the creation of green spaces and a multi-level parking facility, are poised to elevate Exposition Park into a premier destination. With the impending 2028 Olympics, the park is preparing to accommodate a surge in visitors while simultaneously enriching the pedestrian experience and fostering community involvement. This interview underscores the collaborative endeavors among stakeholders and underscores the park's potential to stand alongside iconic urban parks like Central Park and Millennium Park, marking a pivotal juncture in its evolution.

May 2, 2024

Leading the Way: USGBC California's Vision for Sustainable Water Management

USGBC California (USGBC-CA) has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative, the 50 Liter Home Coalition pilot project, aimed at significantly reducing water usage in California residences. Ben Stapleton, Executive Director of USGBC-CA, discusses the organization's expansion to engage all of California, highlighting the opportunity to share impactful programming and advocate for green building practices statewide. Through collaborations with global coalitions and innovative pilot projects, USGBC-CA is leading the way in addressing the state's water crisis through holistic approaches to water management and building sustainability. This event, the California Green Building Conference, promises to be a hub for discussions on workforce development, embodied carbon, circularity, and nature-based solutions. With keynote speakers including Kate Gordon and Obi Kaufmann, the conference aims to galvanize action towards sustainable building practices statewide. Join USGBC California on May 23rd at the Beehive by SoLa Impact in South LA to be part of this transformative conversation.

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© 2024 The Planning Report | David Abel, Publisher, ABL, Inc.