• USC Village has street life galore

    A ton of people and a well-designed public realm combine in the alchemy of a happy place in LA.
    I was recently in southern California, for an in-person meeting of CNU staff (the first since the pandemic began), with our new executive director, Rick Cole, a long-time resident, former mayor, and city manager of Pasadena. I took Metro rail most of the way from Pasadena to LAX, but got off on an...Read more

  • New urban plan for Olympic park

    A makeover for a central LA park will create a neighborhood and citywide asset, even as the site prepares to host the biggest international event.
    A Los Angeles park that will host the 2028 Olympics—and already hosted two Olympics—has been approved for a makeover that will better connect the site to surrounding neighborhoods. Exposition Park Master Plan by Torti Gallas and Partners has been approved by the park’s Board of Directors. The 152-...Read more

  • Reclaiming waterfront as an economic growth strategy

    Design is a tool to strengthen community connections, extend the value of the waterfront inland, and to improve sustainability and resilience.
    One of the most rewarding aspects of New Urbanism is being able to help a community solve a problem or overcome a perceived obstacle to growth by looking at a situation with fresh eyes. Sometimes we find a solution that has been “hiding in plain sight,” to quote the old adage, and for waterfront...Read more

  • Italian coastal towns: The power of public spaces

    A few simple policy steps rooted in design and public access have dramatically improved a stretch of the Adriatic coast. Similar ideas could be implemented in US towns.
    Two and half years ago I retired and my wife and I moved to Italy permanently. Following extensive research and multiple visits in previous years, we found a house and a village that perfectly suited our needs and preferences. The region we live in is called Le Marche. Although situated in the...Read more