A Trip Up The Coast: Conversations on Transit

July 9, 2012 Leave a comment

This is the third post in a short series based on my recent trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco by train. With an overnight stop in San Luis Obispo and a weekend in San Francisco, there were some great urbanist and transit lessons to be learned.

Having finally reached Oakland on the Amtrak Coast Starlight, we were picked up by a friend and drove to his apartment in the city. Two of my great friends live in the neighborhood between Pacific Heights and Nob Hill in San Francisco and were gracious enough to let us stay with them for a couple nights.

With a couple large gatherings for brunch together and late night drinks, we spent time with many of their friends. Of course, these were not all transit lovers like me, but with large groups of young urban dwellers, the conversation did turn there…

This was our homemade brunch. Good food, good friends, and good conversation.

There were two main things I noticed…

Read more of this post

Filed under Los Angeles, Transit Tagged with , , , , ,

Enduring in the City: Creating a More Connected L.A.

May 2, 2012 Leave a comment

It’s no secret that I love Los Angeles. But at the same time, there are clearly problems with this (or any) city. There are problems with the physical space, the economic equality, the spiritual well-being, the race relations, and much more in the city. Sometimes, these problems make it difficult to endure, but  I believe that Los Angeles is a great city and is getting better. And I believe it’s no accident that we’re here.

Most of what I write on this blog, even the more technical posts, are really all about connecting people as a means to improve Los Angeles. By better connecting people, enabling them to move between neighborhoods quickly and easily,and interact with local businesses and each other, I think there is a better chance to right many of the wrongs in the city.

Whether it’s a pedestrian plaza that brings commuters from Union Station to local businesses, a Metro Rail connection to bring tourists and businessmen from LAX to Downtown, or a new rail line that connects to some of the city’s major cultural, educational, and business institutions, my writings on this blog are mainly focused on improving connections in the city. Similarly, events like CicLAvia, film screenings in historic theatres, and ideas about improving parks and education all contribute to the lives of the people in this city…

Read more of this post

Filed under Los Angeles Tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,

Civic Philanthropy: Transit

March 29, 2012 3 Comments

This is part of a short series on Civic Philanthropy. For an introduction, please read my first post on the subject: How Can Cities Leverage Donations?

Transit infrastructure is imperative to a city’s success. Whether by way of roads, sidewalks, bike paths, streetcars, light rail, subway, or personal flying pods, people need to get around. I believe that infrastructure (and specifically transportation infrastructure) should be at the top of a government’s list when it comes to spending money. It is a shared amenity that benefits all within the city and allows the city’s residents and businesses to function.

Unfortunately, most of our nation’s (and certainly here in Los Angeles) infrastructure is crumbling. Bridges are failing, roads are sinking, trains are slow… because the government has not invested as it should. There’s obviously needs to go around. Education is important, police are important, some of the bureaucratic positions may or may not be important… but money needs to go to lots of things. Infrastructure often gets pushed aside until it’s too late. And now, it’s getting to be too late.

Thomas Wayne built Gotham's transit system as a gift to the people (and to support his business) in Batman Begins.

Like Bruce Wayne’s father in Batman Begins, I see an incredible opportunity for cities to court businesses and individuals to help improve the transit system in their city.

Read more of this post

Filed under Los Angeles, Transit Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Civic Philanthropy: How Can Cities Leverage Donations?

March 16, 2012 3 Comments

I got to thinking the other day: What if more people cared about making their city a better place? What if more people cared enough to actually do something about it, something that involved their money? What if a city got creative and actually courted the wealthy philanthropists within its borders to contribute to its public space? What if businesses and landowners helped build a public transit system?

Hancock Park, in what was previously called "Rancho La Brea" and is now home to the La Brea Tar Pits and Los Angeles County Museum of Art, was donated to the county by Allan Hancock in 1916.

What if the city hired fundraising managers just like non-profits, with the sole purpose of securing private donations, and then allowed these people to get creative with events, campaigns, and other programs?

Read more of this post

Filed under Los Angeles Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

← Older posts