Future of Cities launched last month with a large gathering at LACMA to discuss civic leadership and the future of Los Angeles. I was skeptical of what an initiative like this could really achieve, but I have to say, I was impressed by the breadth and depth of the topics and speakers. I think my favorite tweet of the night came from @cmonstah: “Part of what makes LA such a great place is we are so deliriously uncouth.” By all accounts it was an incredible and dynamic evening. I think Bojarsky and the event’s organizers proved that a broad swath of Angelenos are interested in civic engagement and ready to act. But how? What’s next?

Perhaps Joel Epstein captures the core of why we need this initiative: “Given our size and enduring economic inequality, we are indeed a city that needs to better marry vision, leadership and results to fulfill L.A.’s ambitions and achieve our potential.” [1]

As I ponder what role I might play in making LA a better place, I am dashing off to #SACRPH15 in DTLA for a walking tour of Bunker Hill. Perhaps this planning history conference will offer some answers. I’ll be there. Will you?

[1] Joel Epstein, “L.A. Can Be the Future of Cities.” 10/19/15

For more on Society for American City and Regional Planning History Conference, see: Conference for LA Urbanists