In little more than two decades, greater Los Angeles has seen more than 100 miles of rail with more than 100 stations built and opened. Metro is on track to double those numbers in the coming decades with rail extending into almost every area of Los Angeles County- perhaps even sooner if the America Fast Forward initiative is successful. If infrastructure is one of the greatest influencers of planning and public form, Los Angeles is on the verge of transformational change.
While each new station has its own design opportunities and challenges, they also present planning opportunities and challenges for the surrounding areas. Can stations be designed to integrate into the growing Metro system, cognizant of scarce public dollars, while also being emblematic of the communities where they are located? What do communities around the new stations want to become and what can planners, developers, and community activists do to ensure these outcomes? What can Los Angeles learn from other cities?
Moderator
Mott Smith- Principal, Civic Enterprise Development & Founding Board Member, California Infill Builders Association
Panelists
Martha Welborne- FAIA, Executive Director, Countywide Planning, Metro
John Given- Principal of Development, CIM
Neal Payton- AIA, Principal, Torti Gallas & Partners, Inc.
