Insights on Urban Redesign Proposals in Los Angeles

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In the late 1920s, the LA Chamber of Commerce commissioned a study to address concerns about pollution, traffic, and disappearing public park space due to rapid growth in Los Angeles. The Chamber correctly foresaw that constraining the LA River could exacerbate these issues. A subcommittee of high-profile individuals was formed to propose an urban redesign plan to address these challenges and the flooding problem in Los Angeles.

When you hear the word "river," you probably picture a majestic body of water flowing through a natural habitat. Well, the LA River looks nothing like that. Most people who see it probably mistake it for a giant storm drain. It's a deep trapezoidal channel with steep concrete walls, and a flat concrete bottom. Los Angeles was founded around this river. But decades ago it was confined in concrete so that, for better or worse, the city could become the sprawling metropolis that it is today. All these years later the county is still grappling with the consequences of those actions.

Reported by Gillian Jacobs, guest hosted by 99PI producer, Vivian Le.

A River Runs Through Los Angeles

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