Much-maligned Los Angeles River is expected to receive state funding and become a state parkway.
Few rivers have suffered as much as LA's much-maligned river. Flooding in the 1930s caused over 100 deaths, and $1 billion was subsequently spent to channelize it in concrete. In a surprising twist of fate, legislators approved $115 million to create a park and stitch together the River's greeneways. The largest allocation of the funding will go to purchase 60 acres in and around Union Pacific's Taylor switching yards, near Elysian Park, to create a state park. The project is a huge victory for the small but loyal environmental group, the Friends of the Los Angeles River. Governor Davis is expected to approve the budget.
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: L.A. River: From gray to greenery

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research