Engaging communities : participatory planning in Los Angeles neighborhoods

Abstract

As the planning paradigm in Los Angeles shifts away from sprawled development and towards smart growth and transit-oriented development, low-income communities are weary of the changes future investment and development will bring. Several studies have shown that the introduction of rail stations accelerates neighborhood change and in many cases gentrification. While transit expansion and worries about gentrification are not unique to Los Angeles, the number of transit stations is planned to double, meaning that the redevelopment decisions and outcomes will have a widespread impact on the L.A. landscape. The way in which communities plan for and advocate for the neighborhood changes they want to see is extremely timely considering the forthcoming changes. Taking the afore-mentioned factors into account, what does the future look like for low-income Angelenos in the pathway of new transit stations? What lessons can be learned from communities that have recently dealt with arrival of light rail to their neighborhoods and what can we learn about how participatory planning processes can be used to engage local stakeholders to address redevelopment concerns? This thesis uses the case study method to explore the work of three Los Angeles community-based organizations and their experience implementing participatory planning processes.