DESIGN for a LIVABLE DOWNTOWN is an interdepartmental project among Department of City Planning, Community Redevelopment Agency, Department of Transportation and Public Works. Together with urban design, transportation and environmental consultants, the Urban Design Studio and City Team is advancing new context-sensitive street standards which emphasize walkability, sustainability and transit options; and simple but critical urban design standards to reinforce the community character of Downtown Los Angeles' many neighborhoods and Districts.


The purpose of the Design Guidelines is to coordinate and orchestrate the overall development of the city core, so that projects help each other succeed and result in a better, livable downtown. The DRAFT Design Guidelines, "DESIGN for a LIVABLE DOWNTOWN", are intended to provide guidance for creating a livable Downtown and will be used jointly by the Planning Department and Redevelopment Agency staff; and the Departments of Transportation and Public Works.


Adoption of the Project will result in an amendment to the Central City Community Plan, implementation of its Urban Design Chapter, revision to the Los Angeles City's Street Standards requirements for Downtown, and clarifications of the Municipal Code. Adoption of the Project will result in the Community Redevelopment Agency using the same standards as their "Design for Development" guidelines.


Expected Public Review: Spring -Summer 2008
Citywide Planning Commission Hearing/Action: Summer 2008
Redevelopment Agency Hearing/Action: Summer 2008


These DRAFT standards are currently being tested in a "Pilot Program" as projects apply for entitlements in the Downtown area.


You can review the DRAFT Design Guidelines, "DESIGN for a LIVABLE DOWNTOWN", on-line or download either the entire document or by chapter. A DRAFT Copy of the Downtown Design Guidelines has been made available for download in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. The Acrobat Reader plugin is available as a free download from http://www.adobe.com.


Please send comments and feedback to:

Emily Luddy Gabel, FASLA
Emily.Gabel@lacity.org


Simon Pastucha
Simon.Pastucha@lacity.org


Urban Design Studio
Los Angeles Department of City Planning
200 N. Spring Street, Room 705, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone (213) 978-1475 or (213) 978-0016

 

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