Los Angeles County

Red tailed hawk in flight with scrubland hills and trees in background in San Dimas Canyon Natural Area and Nature Center, California.

A Greener LA County: 623 Acres of New Parkland for Communities

Los Angeles County is investing $17 million to create 623 acres of new parks and open spaces, expanding access to nature, advancing equity, and enhancing community health and well-being.

February 26, 2025 - Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District

Downtown Los Angeles viewed from Echo Park with lake with artesian fountain in foreground.

A Sustainable Future for LA: Updating the OurCounty Plan

Los Angeles County is updating its Sustainability Plan to refine its vision for climate action, environmental justice, and community well-being, with residents encouraged to participate by taking the OurCounty 2025 Update Community Survey.

February 19, 2025 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Los Angeles, California skyline against mountains at sunset.

Building Resilient Communities: Insights from the LA County Cities Summit

The Los Angeles County Cities Summit convened local leaders to share strategies for advancing sustainability, addressing climate resilience, extreme heat, and other pressing environmental challenges through policy and community-driven solutions.

February 14, 2025 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Top floors of blue and white apartment building with palm trees against sunny blue sky in Malibu, California.

LA County Leaders Seek to Increase Penalties for Rent Gouging

Landlords who raise rents sharply after disasters could face fines of up to $50,000.

February 11, 2025 - Los Angeles Times

Close-up of pink tulips in bloom at Descanso Gardens, Los Angeles County.

Cultivating Color and Community: Seasonal Planting at Descanso Gardens

Descanso Gardens’ annual planting of 35,000 tulip bulbs showcases the power of seasonal design to enhance public spaces and engage visitors.

February 3, 2025 - NBC Los Angeles

Close-up of cluster of red paper Lunar New Year lanters at night.

Bringing Communities Together: Lunar New Year Festivities Across LA County

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, LA County Parks is hosting free community festivals at 61 parks, featuring cultural performances, food tastings, crafts, and interactive activities that honor the Year of the Snake and promote unity and tradition.

February 3, 2025 - The Los Angeles Post

Homes in Altadena, California with mountains in background on a sunny day.

Altadena’s Resilience: Restoring a Fire-Ravaged Community

The Eaton Fire has devastated Altadena, destroying homes, cultural landmarks, and community institutions, while residents rally to rebuild and preserve the town's rich history, diversity, and neighborly character.

January 19, 2025 - NBC News

Aerial view of Manhattan Beach pier.

Los Angeles County Secures Funding for Beach Protection

L.A. County is getting a $1 million grant from the California Ocean Protection Council to develop a Regional Coastal Strategic Adaptation Plan to protect its beaches from climate change impacts while prioritizing equitable access and sustainability.

December 24, 2024 - Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors

Grocery store produce section.

Food Insecurity in LA County Remains Alarmingly High Despite Some Improvement

Food insecurity in Los Angeles County remains above the national average, disproportionately affecting low-income and minority households, with researchers calling for expanded assistance and systemic solutions to address ongoing disparities.

December 24, 2024 - USC Dornsife

Close-up of person on road bike riding on protected bike lane separated by concrete curb from street.

Southeast LA Road Safety Advocates Call for Improved Infrastructure

Streets in southeastern Los Angeles County have a severe lack of protected bike lanes and traffic safety measures, leading to high numbers of fatalities in a community where many residents depend on walking and biking for daily needs.

December 11, 2024 - LA Public Press

Bird's eye schematic of Puente Hills Landfill Park redevelopment project.

Trash to Treasure: New Park Set to Redefine Open Space in the San Gabriel Valley

Puente Hills Landfill Park, opening in 2027, will transform a former landfill into a regional park with trails, scenic vistas, and various amenities, addressing environmental justice and providing much-needed green space for the San Gabriel Valley.

November 25, 2024 - Streetsblog LA

Large roof with solar panels and Los Angeles hills in background.

How Los Angeles County is Advancing Sustainability

A recently released report by the Chief Sustainability Office (CSO) shows that L.A. County is making progress on meeting the goals of the OurCounty Sustainability Plan.

November 13, 2024 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Two people walking under large trees in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California.

Branching Out: Building Health and Equity Through Community Forestry

Los Angeles County’s Community Forest Management Plan seeks to create a healthier, more equitable community forest by expanding tree coverage, engaging communities, and building resilience to climate impacts.

November 1, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Chalkboard at Stoneview Nature Center park in Culver City, California.

How LA County Parks are Fostering Equity

Los Angeles County's Department of Parks and Recreation actively engages the public through diverse methods to ensure parks and recreation programming align with community needs and priorities.

October 27, 2024 - Parks & Recreation Magazine

Aerial view of Macarthur Park lake with downtown Los Angeles skyline in background.

L.A. County’s New Climate Resilience Officer

As the CRO, Matthew Gonser is focused on tackling extreme heat, flooding, and wildfires while engaging the community and implementing systemic changes to build a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

October 24, 2024 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Rendering of pedestrian walkway on hilltop at Puente Hills Landfill Park.

Puente Hills Regional Park Development Gets $15M Boost

The federal grant will help to transform the former Puente Hills Landfill into a 142-acre regional park, bringing much-needed green space and environmental benefits to the San Gabriel Valley.

September 27, 2024 - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

View of dirt trail between shrubs with downtown Los Angeles skyline in background.

The Essential Role of Parks in Advancing Sustainability

Parks are vital to sustainability, providing environmental, economic, and social benefits that improve public health, support biodiversity, and promote equity, as recognized in Los Angeles County’s OurCounty Plan.

September 16, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Aerial view of Puente Hills landfill on green hill in Los Angeles County, California.

Puente Hills Landfill Redevelopment Plan Wins Award for Transformative, Climate-Responsive Design

This project to transform a former landfill into a climate-resilient public space has won the 2024 Global Impact Award from ASLA and IFLA for its innovative, community-driven design that addresses environmental and social challenges.

September 15, 2024 - American Society Of Landscape Architects

Vacant lot on hillside in East Los Angeles.

Envisioning a New Park in East Los Angeles

Los Angeles County is working towards transforming underutilized land into a vibrant pocket park in the City Terrace neighborhood of East LA.

September 9, 2024 - Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation

Aerial view of San Fernando, California.

ADU Construction Flourishing in Los Angeles County

The boom is happening in some unexpected areas.

July 30, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.