Water has played a starring part in the development of Los Angeles (for exhibit A, see the film Chinatown). Christine MacDonald explores how water may take a star turn once again, in its demise.
Angelenos surely hope that the climate change induced scenario described by MacDonald isn't the bookending sequal to the story of the founding of Los Angeles featured in the film Chinatown.
According to MacDonald, "Not only do scientists predict that rising sea levels will increase the likelihood of coastal flooding there, but also that rising temperatures will threaten the snow pack in the Sierra Nevada mountains, which provides about a third of the drinking water used by the L.A. Department of Water and Power, the nation's largest municipal utility."
Luckily, city officials aren't standing pat. MacDonald reports on the efforts of the mayor's office and the city's water department to plan mitigation measures for these future problems.
FULL STORY: How Climate Change Could Be the Ruin of Los Angeles
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Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
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.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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