Westside Urban Forum

Westside Urban Forum is excited to invite you to our 2024 Design Awards Celebration on November 13th, where we’ll celebrate the projects and leaders shaping the future of Los Angeles. Join us for an inspiring evening at Village Well Books & Coffee in Culver City as we recognize excellence in design and the lasting positive impact these projects have on our communities. Each winning team receives two free admissions. Additional admissions are available for $20 per person. Please click link below to purchase: https://lnkd.in/g5DPrP_s Event Details: ·    Date: November 13th ·    Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm ·    Awards Ceremony: 7:00 pm ·    Location: Village Well, 9900 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA ·    Light bites and one free drink included with each admission About the WUF Design Awards: 1. Annual program to recognize projects, programs, and policies that demonstrate excellence in city making and community building in the Greater LA Region. 2. Categories include Affordable Housing, Adaptive Reuse, Hospitality, Mixed-Use, Multi-Unit Housing (49 or less units), Multi-Unit Housing (50+), Office, Public/Institutional, Public/Open Space, Retail/Restaurant, and Schools. 3. Winning projects selected by an independent jury representing a diverse mix of design, development, and community perspectives. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow design professionals, enjoy light refreshments, and honor the visionaries behind some of LA’s most impactful projects. Don’t miss out on this special evening of celebration and community! #westsideurbanforum #urbandesign #losangeles #designawards

In recent years, the California legislature has become increasingly bold about wielding the power of state law to address the housing crisis and other land use matters. This year, the legislature yet again considered dozens of bills with major impacts on planning and development statewide and, especially, in urban areas like Los Angeles. It sent the vast majority of them to the governor's desk, for signature or veto by September 30th.    Join us for an engaging and informative panel discussion to review the significant legislation passed--and not passed--in the 2024 session. This event aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest legislative changes and their impact on our communities and cities. Whether you are a government official, urban planner, developer, or community advocate, this discussion is essential for understanding how recent legislation will impact your work and our communities. Join us to hear from experts including Marty Akerblom, Seamus Garrity, and Rick Zbur! Additional panelists to be announced! REGISTER HERE --> https://lnkd.in/gnXVdpk8 #california #westsideurbanforum #publicpolicy #housing

Thank you to our speakers (Alissa Walker, Eduardo Mendoza, Ken Bernstein, Matt Walker) and everyone who joined us for last Thursday’s discussion on the LA28 Olympics! It was an exciting and thought-provoking conversation, and we loved seeing such enthusiasm from our community. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our October breakfast panel: Legislative Roundup 2024. We look forward to continuing these important discussions with you.

REGISTER WHILE YOU CAN! As we prepare for the LA28 Olympics, it’s essential to consider how we can create lasting benefits for all communities across Los Angeles—not just those directly hosting events. Join us on September 12th for a special panel discussion where experts will explore strategies to ensure that short-term rentals, housing, and social infrastructure generate positive impacts throughout the region. We are pleased to announce our confirmed speakers for this event: Chris Torres, RLA - Agency Artifact Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Ken Bernstein - Los Angeles Department of City Planning Alissa Walker - Torched Eduardo Mendoza - Livable Communities Matt Walker - Lowe Enterprises REGISTER HERE --> https://lnkd.in/gfhbKCdS #westsideurbanforum #olympics #urbanplanning #losangeles

As we prepare for the LA28 Olympics, it’s essential to consider how we can create lasting benefits for all communities across Los Angeles—not just those directly hosting events. Join us on September 12th for a special panel discussion where experts will explore strategies to ensure that short-term rentals, housing, and social infrastructure generate positive impacts throughout the region. We are pleased to announce our confirmed speakers for this event: Chris Torres, RLA - City Planning Commissioner for South LA and Founding Principal, Agency Artifact Landscape Architecture and Urban Design. Ken Bernstein - Principal Planner, Citywide Planning Division, Los Angeles Department of City Planning. Additional speakers to be announced! REGISTER HERE --> https://lnkd.in/gfhbKCdS #westsideurbanforum #olympics #urbanplanning #losangeles

As we prepare for the LA28 Olympics, it’s essential to consider how we can create lasting benefits for all communities across Los Angeles—not just those directly hosting events. Join us on September 12th for a special panel discussion where experts will explore strategies to ensure that short-term rentals, housing, and social infrastructure generate positive impacts throughout the region. The panelists will be announced, and the registration will open shortly. #westsideurbanforum #LA28 #olympics #urbanplanning

A big thank you to everyone who joined us at the Westside Urban Forum’s lunch-and-learn event last Thursday! Your participation helped create a meaningful discussion as we explored the Citywide Housing Incentive Program (CHIP) Ordinance—a key part of LA’s Housing Element Rezoning Program and a vital topic for our community of land use professionals. Stay tuned for our September breakfast panel on the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. We’re excited to keep the conversation going!

The kids might be on vacation, but State Housing Element deadlines are quickly approaching, and the City of LA is in a time crunch to adopt its Citywide Housing Incentive Program (CHIP) - a key component of the City's Housing Element Rezoning Program. On June 25th, the City released its revised draft CHIP Ordinance, scheduled for a City Planning Commission presentation on September 26th. The CHIP Ordinance is one of the most important land use policies of the decade for Los Angeles. But, do you know what the Ordinance says? Have you tried reading it and thought, "Um, maybe I'll just read this later..." ? Have you tried reading the Ordinance and thought, "Wait, what does this actually mean?" If so, WUF Summer School is for you! Join us for a CHIP study session with our esteemed teachers from the City of Los Angeles and the ULI-LA Housing Council. We hope to get answers to all your CHIP questions, such as: ·   What is the new Expanded Administrative Review Procedure? ·   What's the difference between the existing TOC Guidelines and the proposed Mixed-Income Incentive Program (MIIP)? ·   If your application is required to go to a public hearing, can the City deny your application, or is this just the proposed process? ·   Will you be able to request a floor area bonus in a residential zone? ·   Is the covenant requirement 55 years or 99 years? ·   Is the Affordable Housing Incentive Program (AHIP) the same as the Affordable Housing Streamlining Ordinance (codification of ED 1)? If not, what's the difference? ·   How can you get a commercial development bonus for constructing off-site housing? Teachers: Jenna Monterrosa, City of Los Angeles Jessica Hencier, Craig Lawson & Co., LLC Lauren Chang, Sheppard Mullin Matthew Thompson, Symmetric Properties 

Sending a huge thank you to all who attended the Westside Urban Forum presented book event last week, featuring Max Podemski's insightful new work "A Paradise of Small Houses". Special thanks to Village Well Books & Coffee for hosting the event, which was well attended and engaging! Stay tuned for more event announcements from Westside Urban Forum! #westsideurbanforum #housing #urbanplanning

LAST CALL FOR ENTRIES! Today (July 16th) is the extended and FINAL deadline for submissions to the Westside Urban Forum 2024 Design Awards. To submit, complete the online payment form and then project submission form. Submissions must include up to 10 images and a written project objective (max 4500 characters). Please adhere to our blind entry protocol. If you have any questions, please contact Design Awards Co-Chair Natalie Teear at natalie.teear@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing your innovative work! #westsideurbanforum #urbanplanning #realestate #architecture #landuse #losangeles