1st + Main | The City Planning Department Blog

By: Timmy Luong, GIS Supervisor | Los Angeles City Planning What is GIS? GIS = Geographic Information System. What does that mean in layman’s terms?  GIS is about gathering, managing, and analyzing data — integrating geographic information within layers of data into tables, graphs, and maps to make data more visually presentable. GIS reveals patterns, relationships, and situations, helping users make informed decisions.  Over the years, technology has changed the way we look at the world. Today, we are using spatial analysis to evaluate projections, assumptions, and estimates. Rather than numbers listed on a spreadsheet, we can leverage GIS technology to see what others can’t.  Hundreds of thousands of organizations in virtually every profession are leveraging GIS to create maps that communicate, share, and address complex problems across the globe. The Role of GIS Technology in Urban Planning? Cities are constantly evolving, which is why GIS has been an important

In December 2018, the City Council adopted the Home-Sharing Ordinance ( CF 14-1635-S2 ), establishing a regulatory framework to restrict short-term rentals to one's primary residence, in order to prevent the wholesale conversation of homes into rental properties. The Home-Sharing Program requires hosts wishing to engage in short-term rentals to register with the City and post their registration number on all advertisements. Hosts are also required to adhere to all requirements and must use the online portal to register. Registering for the Home-Sharing Program There are several steps and a few requirements to establish a secure and legal home-sharing stay service. The application can be found and submitted on the city website under the “Development Services” tab on the left side of the website which has been live since July 1, 2019. Home-sharing users will have four months, until November 1, 2019, to which the City will then begin enforcement of this Ordinance (185931)

Based on recent data , African-Americans only represent 7.9% of those in the planning profession. In 2017, TheRoot.com published an article titled, “Urban Planning Can’t Happen Without Black People in the Room—Yet It Does,” reflecting on the importance of having multiple voices when planning and designing a city.  In the City of Los Angeles, we see diversity throughout the City and in those who are helping plan the future of Los Angeles. In 2018, 16% of new hires and 12% of all promotions within the Department of City Planning were of African-Americans, representing 12% of the entire Department.  Below, the Department of City Planning’s African-American City Planning Assistants and Associates share their advice for those interested in entering the profession. Scroll below to get their insights, and get inspired to plan!   Kyle Winston "I grew up in South Central LA. I watched my neighborhood burn during the LA riots and then sit untouched for years wondering wh