"Reclaiming the Right-of-Way," a comprehensive toolkit for creating small, urban "parklets" from parking spaces, alleyways and other underutilized spaces, will receive a National Planning Achievement Award for Best Practice, presented by the American Planning Association (APA).
The award is the latest in a string of honors for the toolkit, a project led by program manager Madeline Brozen and urban planning professor Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris through the Complete Streets Initiative at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. Local and regional APA chapters had previously recognized the project’s contributions to planning theory and practice.
Though focused specifically on parklet development in Los Angeles, "Reclaiming the Right-of-Way" provides methodologies and guidelines that can be applied to other communities and cities. The toolkit is the first of a three-phase effort, made possible by a $75,000 grant from the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation. Other projects included installation of two demonstration parklets in Los Angeles and evaluation of the parklets’ role in neighborhoods.
The award is the latest in a string of honors for the toolkit, a project led by program manager Madeline Brozen and urban planning professor Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris through the Complete Streets Initiative at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. Local and regional APA chapters had previously recognized the project’s contributions to planning theory and practice.
Though focused specifically on parklet development in Los Angeles, "Reclaiming the Right-of-Way" provides methodologies and guidelines that can be applied to other communities and cities. The toolkit is the first of a three-phase effort, made possible by a $75,000 grant from the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation. Other projects included installation of two demonstration parklets in Los Angeles and evaluation of the parklets’ role in neighborhoods.
In a letter supporting the project’s nomination, Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar called the toolkit invaluable, saying it encouraged the city to try new ideas and "helped the shift toward a healthier, more walkable and enriching public realm gain a stronger foothold in Los Angeles." Similar letters of support came from the L.A. Department of Transportation and the City of Cincinnati in Ohio.
Learn more about the toolkit and award on the APA website.
Learn more about the toolkit and award on the APA website.