Here's a rather scathing critique of New Urbanism--at least in terms of transportation mismanagement--that is the cover story in the latest edition of the LA Weekly (LA's sister alternative paper to NYC's Village Voice)
http://www.laweekly.com/general/features/w...t-growth/16507/
I'm posting it since many of you don't check the Western U.S. or California forums much.
Yet New Urbanism and Smart Growth principles have brought on great improvements in Hollywood, Koreatown/Mid Wilshire, and many other areas.
In the LA Weekly article there's a photo of Councilman Eric Garcetti sitting on the roof of a restored early-20th-century building at Hollywood Blvd. and Western Ave. Two mixed-use developments are in the background (the one on the right is incorporated into a Red Line subway station). What was built isn't necessarily gentrification since both projects have some subsidized units and contain a variety of things in the storefront areas, even a bank branch and one of the secondhand boutiques operated by AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Of course there are the chain stores and eateries, all quite welcome at a corner that didn't have much retail before--at least places where you'd want to spend money.
On the other hand, the Weekly's expos
