streetscape improvement plans in seoul

see more seoul at www.shelmatic.tumblr.com

Ryan Bradley Runs... err Walks the City

Writer and editor of the World Policy Journal, Ryan Bradley, has recently walked more than 70 miles through Los Angeles and has started writing a miniseries on his journey. His writing is more than a journal of his experience, instead he take his uses his personal experiences to expose larger transportation problems and then takes an in depth look at those issues. Some of the issues include development patterns, transit use, race, and sidewalk maintenance. Each part of the series is a good individual read so you can read one part or the whole series. Click here to read the story.

Sustainability Poster Session, Thurs. June 3rd

The Future of Urbanism -- Great Videos

About six weeks ago, the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan hosted a major conference, Future of Urbanism, to discuss a comprehensive range of issues concerning the built environment in the 21st century.

The good folks at Taubman have now helpfully posted videos of the proceedings, which include a collection of speakers drawn from around the globe.  Check out UCLA's own Ed Soja arguing for the need for a geographic perspective and pushing his theory of regional urbanization. Dana Cuff of the UCLA Department of Architecture and Urban Design made an appearance, as well.

Permaculture, anyone?

The 1st lecture is this Sat. April 3. Larry's classes have everyone from mayors to developers to teachers as students. If anyone's interested, I might be able to get us in free for part of the day. Or possibly we could arrange for Larry Santoyo to come speak on campus? Let me know if there's interest. -Marta

From the website for the next Permaculture Design Course taught by Larry Santoyo.
"A Certificate Course for Design Professionals, Land Managers & Homeowners
• ReDesign with Nature
• Water Harvesting & Conservation
• Natural Building & Property Development
• Urban Food Forestry
• Re-Localizing Food Production
• Economics of a Sustainable Society
Using an ecosystems design approach, this course will teach you the possibilities of the practical and the profound. It will introduce you to the people and resources that will help you create a new ecosystem, one that goes beyond your home and garden and all the way out into your community."

NEW Times Square

Peds: 1, Cars: 0

This clip just makes me happy :)

East LA Design Studio now ONLINE

The final presentations from the East LA Design Studio are now available here on BruinPlanners.  Simply click the "Design Studio" tab at the top of this page to learn more. 

 

Downtown Public Spaces Tour: A Photo Essay

On Wednesday, Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris' Public Spaces class met in Downtown Los Angeles for a tour of notable public spaces, with an emphasis on the corporate plazas that were built as part of major office developments in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. As those familiar with Anastasia's research know, these privately owned and managed plazas raise questions about the future of public space in an economic and political environment where cities are relying on increasingly on new development to provide for their residents' open space needs.

Users of these plazas can expect to be subject to restrictions on their activities that go above and beyond what we expect from a conventional neighborhood park, and to be scrutinized and monitored, especially if they push the boundaries of what is acceptable. At the same time, some (though not all) plazas are very attractive and well-maintained, and serve their primary users--office workers--reasonably well. Still, it's worth thinking through the implications of having public spaces that aren't really public, and how their management might be regulated to make sure that they serve users who don't fit into the corporate mold.

UMore Park: a master planned sustainable community

The University of Minnesota is planning a 5,000 acre development that will house 20,000-30,000 people when it's all said and done. The street layout is a modified grid that includes mixed land use. The plan also includes a jobs and housing balance which will create better walk-ability in order to reduce auto dependency. It's set to be fully built out in 25-30 years. So will it be the northern Seaside, Florida?

Take a look here: http://www.umorepark.umn.edu/

Active Design Guidelines by NYC DDC

http://ddcftp.nyc.gov/adg/downloads/adguidelines.pdf

Check this out...

this is a good waste of time:


http://weburbanist.com/2010/01/18/more-than-fit-to-sit-15-clever-bench-ads/

Urban Planning a Messy City: Billboards, Blight, Parks and Traffic

Curbed LA's review of '09. Woah, LA.

23 Billboards in LA to be used for an Art Exhibit

*cross posted from LAist*

Billboard, no doubt, are a controversial issue in Los Angeles. Lawsuits against the city are piled up in the courts, ordinances are being passed and new digital billboards and supergraphics envelope the city. So it's only appropriate that the MAK Center for Art and Architecture at the Schindler House are taking 23 billboards and 23 artists for a large-scale art project up and down the city's corridors.

“In How Many Billboards?, the streets of Los Angeles become the walls of the exhibition, and the city itself becomes a large museum,” explained Kimberli Meyer, Director of the MAK Center and initiator and co-curator of the exhibition. “We have put together an important group of 23 artists that span multiple generations, and we’ve asked each artist to take into account the landscape of the city and the implication of the billboard as pop-public space.”

READ MORE:

Five Best Walking Streets in L.A.

From the KCRW 5ive Things Series...

5 Best Walking Streets by Kevin Roderick

Los Angeles grew up as a driving city, and I’m as guilty as anybody of using my car for recreation and convenience more than necessity. Yet, I enjoy savoring a city’s sights and smells and personality on foot when I’m traveling — and lately I’m enamored of just parking my wheels where the mood strikes me and exploring L.A. from the sidewalk. Some of my favorite strips are obvious, some more of an acquired taste.
1 – Wilshire Boulevard.
OK, this may be too obvious. But America’s most quintessentially Automobile Age boulevard is appreciated in a whole new way while out and walking. I especially like the mile or so from Lafayette Park to Western. You stroll past dozens of storefronts that have seen decades of L.A. history, plus you can peer through the windows of the sublime former Bullock’s Wilshire department store.
2 – West Third Street.
Los Angeles feels like a walking city along the strip between Farmers Market and Beverly Center. A dozen places offer an inviting spot to grab coffee or a leisurely lunch, though the recently shuttered The Cook’s Library is definitely missed.
3 – Sunset Junction.
Sunset Strip has excitement and the curve through Pacific Palisades can feel homey, but there’s only one section of Sunset Boulevard that feels like an authentic urban community.
4 – Mission Street.
You can even take the Gold Line to this charming corner of South Pasadena and discover cafes, antiques and an outpost of a family store from the French Basque country.
5 – Abbot Kinney.
Sure, this is Venice’s most gentrified avenue, but there are still plenty of studios and surprises to encounter. The culinary options just keep getting better.

Fifth Ecology: Los Angeles Beyond Desire

While in Stockholm this summer, I learned about this project and picked up a copy of The Fifth Ecology: Los Angeles Beyond Desire. The project is a proposal for the LA River and experiencing Los Angeles without focus on consumption. The students who worked on the project are visiting LA - you have a few opportunities to hear their presentation and see their work over the next week.

The Fifth Ecology: Los Angeles Beyond Desire.

...An urban planning proposal for the Los Angeles River area in downtown Los Angeles. Developed by the post graduates at The Royal College of Fine Arts, Stockholm, Sweden... Check it out at Gallery 727 in downtown LA. [Preview at ArtWalk 11/12. Opening reception 11/15. Presentation on 11/16.] http://www.gallery727losangeles.com

You can find a copy of the publication here for a preview: The Fifth Ecology

The exhibit will be showed at Gallery 727 on 727 S. Spring Street, Nov 15 to Dec 12
http://www.gallery727losangeles.com

Program for the exhibition:
Sunday nov 15: Opening at G727 5 pm-9pm
Monday nov 16: Discussion and seminar with LADWP planner Carol Armstrong, councilmember Ed Reyes and Lupe Vela of the ad-hoc river comittee at G727 6 pm- 8pm limited number of participants, email mans.tham@gmail.com to sign up

Habeas Lounge at Art Walk tonight

How does downtown exist as a hub for MTA riders and bicyclists in the city?

Celebrate eight weeks of mapping and conversations during the final night of HABEAS LOUNGE: A PLURALISTIC DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES. This event is the last in a series of DTLA explorations building a framework for ideas and exchanges about our shared city, conceived by artist Linda Pollack.

Art Walk night will be all about bicycles and public transportation. Pricey parking lots, scarce street parking, the threat of being towed...bicycle, metro and bus are THE alternative ways to get around DTLA and we want to hear what you think!

Advocates will be on hand to share their experiences and visions for transportation in LA, as well as challenges, from proposed master bike plans to everyday commuting.

Take the Metro Red Line from the Pershing Square station to 7th + Metro or ride up 7th Street from the Art Walk to dialogue, discuss, debate, and learn ways to connect to the carless city.

A bicycle valet service will be provided by the LA County Bicycle Coalition. Show your support for 7+FIG's decision to allow the bike valet by riding your bike so you can use the valet.

During the event, check out the HABEAS LOUNGE, designed by Ilaria Mazzoleni: a cardboard sofa built from bike boxes by architect Nina Marie Barbuto, projections of classic / contemporary DTLA films selected by Linda Pollack and Maryam Hosseinzadeh, maps and bottled specimens from workshops by Katie Bachler, urban placemaking by James Jones, film footage of LA shot from a helicopter and a Pontiac G6 by Italian artists/architects ERGOT, an oversized Metro map, and more.

Plus SNACKS and a DJ too!