Weekly Assignment #12: Article 1

Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan

Web Link: http://www.worldchanging.com/local/losangeles/archives/006116.html

As part of the flood control project in the 1930’s the Army Corps of Engineers paved approximately 80% of the Los Angeles River. The river spans 51 miles from the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach and is mostly recognized from movies such as the Terminator and Grease. This article focused on the finalization of the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan. The revitalization project is a prime example of the planning process discussed by Wheeler in Chapter 6, sustainability planning.

The plan-making for the project became tangible when the Los Angeles Ad Hoc River Committee was established in 2002. Five members from the Los Angeles City Council preside on the committee. The Master Plan is a $2 billion initiative by the City of Los Angeles to renovate a 32-mile section of the river that is located within the City of Los Angeles. Some council members that are active in the committee have a direct connection to the river –most of their precincts are adjacent to or surround portions of the LA River. The groups that have a direct impact on the project are the citizens that live closet to it.

The Master Plan envisions new parks, vegetation, and wetlands on the 32-mile stretch in an effort to make the river apart of the community. Historically, the river has divided neighborhoods and kept them apart. One of the visions of the Master Plan is to bring communities together. The Master Plan consists of 239 projects that would be implemented over a 20-year period. Included in the plan is outreaching to the community. In an effort to educate, garner support, and obtain input from stakeholders – they will be holding one-hour workshop to discuss the plan. As part of sustainability planning discussed by Wheeler, the organizers of the Master Plan are attempting to educate the public, communicate the plan, and gain their support. This is an important factor since the plan is aimed at revitalizing these neighborhoods in conjunction with the plan.

This article provided a good example of Wheeler’s sustainability planning. The Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan went through all the steps related to planning: plan-making, visioning, implementation, best practices, review of proposals and alternatives. Through this process, institutions played a major role in moving the project forward: the City of Los Angeles, the City Council Members, and the Los Angeles Ad Hoc River Committee. This involved a great deal of organizing and coalition building to get the right people at the table and to move forward with developing the plan. Additionally, communication with the community was a major factor in education.