Current General Design Principles
The current definition for urban design set up by Los Angeles is, "the art of creating and shaping cities , towns and neighborhoods. Components such as routes, boundaries, districts, nodes and land marks and their interrelationships provide the physical organizing structure of communities and the basic vocabulary fir urban designers". [1]
In this definition of what urban design consist of for Los Angeles, there are also ten principles which are broken down into three categories that will help Los Angeles develop.
In the first category, Movement: a city of mobility, there are three principles which are:
1) Develop inviting and accessible transit areas
2) Ensure connections
3) Produce greet, green streets
In the second category, Health: a city of activity, there are four principles which are:
4) Generate public open space
5) Reinforce walk-ability,bike-ability, and well being
6) Bridge the past and the future
7)Nurture neighborhood character
In the third category, Resilience: a city of responsibility, there are three principles which are:
8) Stimulate sustainability and innovation
9)Improve equity and opportunity
10) Emphasize early integration, simple processes and maintainable long term solutions
In the first category, Movement: a city of mobility, there are three principles which are:
1) Develop inviting and accessible transit areas
2) Ensure connections
3) Produce greet, green streets
In the second category, Health: a city of activity, there are four principles which are:
4) Generate public open space
5) Reinforce walk-ability,bike-ability, and well being
6) Bridge the past and the future
7)Nurture neighborhood character
In the third category, Resilience: a city of responsibility, there are three principles which are:
8) Stimulate sustainability and innovation
9)Improve equity and opportunity
10) Emphasize early integration, simple processes and maintainable long term solutions
1) Develop inviting and accessible transit areas
There are three goals for this principle:
-To be able to develop transit areas with a variety of uses and activities which include transit modes, pedestrian and bicyclist needs, open-space and public amenities.
- To strengthen the relationship between a variety of transportation modes and to make more car-alternative modes of transportation more attractive.
-Also to use mass transit to be able to revitalize communities and provide economic benefits. [2]
An example of this can be seen in this picture as the W Hotel and LA Metro partnered to be able to create a transit oriented development in which both parties would benefit. There would be seven Metro bus lines, which includes a rapid line and the Red line of the subway, that would pass by the hotel and Metro was given permission to use the land to develop this transit station.
There are three goals for this principle:
-To be able to develop transit areas with a variety of uses and activities which include transit modes, pedestrian and bicyclist needs, open-space and public amenities.
- To strengthen the relationship between a variety of transportation modes and to make more car-alternative modes of transportation more attractive.
-Also to use mass transit to be able to revitalize communities and provide economic benefits. [2]
An example of this can be seen in this picture as the W Hotel and LA Metro partnered to be able to create a transit oriented development in which both parties would benefit. There would be seven Metro bus lines, which includes a rapid line and the Red line of the subway, that would pass by the hotel and Metro was given permission to use the land to develop this transit station.
2) Ensure connections
The reason ensuring connections is important for Los Angeles is because it creates and efficient circulation system between pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and drivers. By integrating roads, paths and transit routes it will allow for different modes of movement to create a healthy city. [3]
In this map it shows the Regional Connector in Los Angeles , which is scheduled to be completed in 2019, that will allow there to be a connection between the Metro's Blue and Gold line. By improving this connection it will reduce the number of transfers made and it projects to increase access to more that 16,000 new transit riders.
The reason ensuring connections is important for Los Angeles is because it creates and efficient circulation system between pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and drivers. By integrating roads, paths and transit routes it will allow for different modes of movement to create a healthy city. [3]
In this map it shows the Regional Connector in Los Angeles , which is scheduled to be completed in 2019, that will allow there to be a connection between the Metro's Blue and Gold line. By improving this connection it will reduce the number of transfers made and it projects to increase access to more that 16,000 new transit riders.
3) Produce great, green streets
The goal of this principle is to be able to incorporate sustainable green infrastructure, to provide open space and easy access to the outdoors. This means streets should be able conduct movement and be created to a more human scale. [4]
In this picture is shows Larchmont Boulevard as an example of what a green street should look like. The sidewalk is constructed to pedestrian scale, it has angled parking and short cross walks. Also due to the large side walk there is also more tress available to provide shade, more benches and more street lights. With all these amenities there is also a more local focus in being able to maintain this space. This is why the Larchmont Boulevard Association is responsible for the up keeping of this space.
The goal of this principle is to be able to incorporate sustainable green infrastructure, to provide open space and easy access to the outdoors. This means streets should be able conduct movement and be created to a more human scale. [4]
In this picture is shows Larchmont Boulevard as an example of what a green street should look like. The sidewalk is constructed to pedestrian scale, it has angled parking and short cross walks. Also due to the large side walk there is also more tress available to provide shade, more benches and more street lights. With all these amenities there is also a more local focus in being able to maintain this space. This is why the Larchmont Boulevard Association is responsible for the up keeping of this space.
4) Generate public open space
Open space can be created by taking advantage streets, alleys, sidewalks, and adjacent areas which would offer areas for small scale gathering, creative programming or contemplative parks and parks with an active linkage connection. [5]
In this picture is shows Augustus Hawkins Park which is located in South Los Angeles. Before this location was park it served as a cement pipe storage yard. Along with the development of the park, the Evan Frankel Discovery Center was created, which provides programs that focus on environmental issues and children programs.
Open space can be created by taking advantage streets, alleys, sidewalks, and adjacent areas which would offer areas for small scale gathering, creative programming or contemplative parks and parks with an active linkage connection. [5]
In this picture is shows Augustus Hawkins Park which is located in South Los Angeles. Before this location was park it served as a cement pipe storage yard. Along with the development of the park, the Evan Frankel Discovery Center was created, which provides programs that focus on environmental issues and children programs.
5) Reinforce Walk-ability, bike-ability and well being
When designing the urban environment it is important to integrate physical activity into the daily life of a person. This can be done by creating more opportunity for pedestrians and bicyclist the opportunity to connect with public open space. [6]
For Example in this picture it shows how the City of Long Beach has started to be active in placing pedestrian and bicycle mobility as a main priority by creating bike share programs. The city has also began to resurface 20 miles of street to include bike lanes with its total aim of having 696 miles of new bike lanes.
When designing the urban environment it is important to integrate physical activity into the daily life of a person. This can be done by creating more opportunity for pedestrians and bicyclist the opportunity to connect with public open space. [6]
For Example in this picture it shows how the City of Long Beach has started to be active in placing pedestrian and bicycle mobility as a main priority by creating bike share programs. The city has also began to resurface 20 miles of street to include bike lanes with its total aim of having 696 miles of new bike lanes.
6) Bridge the past and the future
When developing new building it is important to take into consideration the adjacent building s which will help it physically connect to the neighborhood. Also with there being many unique iconic building in Los Angeles they should be preserved to celebrate their cultural significance. [7]
In 1979 the city of Los Angeles adopted the Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZ) which attempted to preserve over 3,000 properties. Most of these preservation were in the form of residential buildings as seen this picture
When developing new building it is important to take into consideration the adjacent building s which will help it physically connect to the neighborhood. Also with there being many unique iconic building in Los Angeles they should be preserved to celebrate their cultural significance. [7]
In 1979 the city of Los Angeles adopted the Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZ) which attempted to preserve over 3,000 properties. Most of these preservation were in the form of residential buildings as seen this picture
7) Nurture neighborhood character
New projects are meant to contribute to enhance the character of the neighborhood. With each new development it must consider also the neighborhood or district in which it will work with. [8]
In the neighborhood of Boyle Heights there has been a rich history of residents living there which have been immigrants. The first residents which lived there were Jewish and Japanese immigrants. During WWII when all the Japanese-American residents were relocated there was a shift in which a large Latino population started to live there. This form of history can be seen embraced throughout the community as seen in this picture were there are murals painted at the Mariachi Plaza
New projects are meant to contribute to enhance the character of the neighborhood. With each new development it must consider also the neighborhood or district in which it will work with. [8]
In the neighborhood of Boyle Heights there has been a rich history of residents living there which have been immigrants. The first residents which lived there were Jewish and Japanese immigrants. During WWII when all the Japanese-American residents were relocated there was a shift in which a large Latino population started to live there. This form of history can be seen embraced throughout the community as seen in this picture were there are murals painted at the Mariachi Plaza
8)Stimulate sustainability and innovation
In order to make Los Angeles more resilient it is important to design infrastructure which is sustainable and to take into consideration the full project life cycle. What this means is to understand the social, environmental and financial longevity of these projects. This can be accomplished by using technological advancement and the use of local materials. [9]
In this picture one can see the roof of a plaza which was created to be able to collect rain water that would than flow into an irrigation system. Also there are solar panels which move with the sun. Developers were able to take advantage of space located on top of a mixed use development which included housing and a supermarket.
In order to make Los Angeles more resilient it is important to design infrastructure which is sustainable and to take into consideration the full project life cycle. What this means is to understand the social, environmental and financial longevity of these projects. This can be accomplished by using technological advancement and the use of local materials. [9]
In this picture one can see the roof of a plaza which was created to be able to collect rain water that would than flow into an irrigation system. Also there are solar panels which move with the sun. Developers were able to take advantage of space located on top of a mixed use development which included housing and a supermarket.
9) Improve equity and opportunity
There needs to be a broader choice of housing, along with a variety of local economic, social and recreational activities to create a healthy neighborhood. The ability for residents to be able to move between neighborhoods also contributes to an healthy urban environment. [10]
On Selma Avenue in Hollywood a farmers market is open every Sunday which provides access to fresh produce and economic opportunity for small local farmers. These farmer markets can also be located in Crenshaw, Watts and Echo Park.
There needs to be a broader choice of housing, along with a variety of local economic, social and recreational activities to create a healthy neighborhood. The ability for residents to be able to move between neighborhoods also contributes to an healthy urban environment. [10]
On Selma Avenue in Hollywood a farmers market is open every Sunday which provides access to fresh produce and economic opportunity for small local farmers. These farmer markets can also be located in Crenshaw, Watts and Echo Park.
10) Emphasize early integration, simple processes and maintainable long term solutions
All the projects and principles which were presented are important but there must also be a plan to be able to maintain and review these projects. There must be a shared vision between city staff, developers and designers in order for these projects to be successful. [11]
In 2009 the City of Los Angeles adopted the Downtwon Design Guide in which the goals of this guide is to be able to develop downtown Los Angeles into a more sustainable community. That in order to make that goal into a reality it is important to take into consideration land use development, building massing, material choices and much much more.
All the projects and principles which were presented are important but there must also be a plan to be able to maintain and review these projects. There must be a shared vision between city staff, developers and designers in order for these projects to be successful. [11]
In 2009 the City of Los Angeles adopted the Downtwon Design Guide in which the goals of this guide is to be able to develop downtown Los Angeles into a more sustainable community. That in order to make that goal into a reality it is important to take into consideration land use development, building massing, material choices and much much more.
References
1-11. Los Angeles Department of City Planning, "City of Los Angeles: Urban Design Principles" (Public Document, Los Angeles, 2011), http://urbandesignla.com/Urban%20Design%20Principles.pdf (accessed on July 31, 2013).