What the Freeway (WTF): Eminent Domain and the Interstate Highway System

Applying to Grad School? We got you.: Are you considering applying to grad school? Have you ever wondered what the process to apply to grad school is like? Look no further! Natalie and Sam answer your questions about the grad school application process. We cover everything from the letter of rec process to how to make your application stand out! We hope you enjoy! For more information about Water Drop LA, please find their website here. To donate to Water Drop LA, click here. Stay connected! Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok! Join our Slack workspace. by Urban Planning is Not Boring

46 min listen

L.A. Mobility Culture with Gia Chinchilla: In this episode of Urban Planning is Not Boring, Sam is joined by her friend Gia Chinchilla. Sam and Gia met through Climate Action LAb, a collective that Gia founded in 2019 that aims to inform & empower Angelenos to tackle environmental justice and climate-related issues in our city. Since working at CLAb together, Sam and Gia have bonded over their shared passion for equitable and sustainable transportation solutions. Tune in to hear our conversation about Climate Action LAb, the LA Green New Deal, transit in LA, and the Urban Future conference. About Gia: Gia (she/her) is an e-Mobility professional, carbon consultant, and writer based in Los Angeles and Paris. She is driven by the simple question: how can we create systems that sustain our well-being? With over five-years experience in clean technology and consulting, Gia has helped her clients reach innovative solutions to challenging decarbonization problems with a holistic “roadmap” by Urban Planning is Not Boring

41 min listen

A Breakdown of the USC Master of Urban Planning Program: Sam and Nat give you a breakdown of everything you need to know about the Master of Urban Planning program. From the various concentrations that you can choose from to the ability to add certificates, we have got you covered! Since they recently finished their first year in the program, they dive into personal insights gleaned from the last year and share their thoughts on the classes that they have taken over the last year. For more information on the USC Master of Urban Planning program, check out the website linked here. Destination Crenshaw We are stamping Crenshaw Boulevard, the spine of Los Angeles’ Black community, with a transformative infrastructure project that will boost our community through economic development, job creation, and environmental healing, while elevating Black art and culture. When completed, Destination Crenshaw will be the place to experience the most dynamic expression of Black American cul by Urban Planning is Not Boring

27 min listen

A Not So Boring Introduction: Get to know your not so boring podcast hosts Sam and Natalie as they dive into their educational backgrounds, interests, and what led them to the field of urban planning! Resources for Contraception and Abortion Access: For access to mail-in birth control, emergency contraception, and medication abortion pills: Three for Freedom For abortion funds by state: Donations 4 Abortion For Planned Parenthood donations: Planned Parenthood by Urban Planning is Not Boring

45 min listen

Zoning, RHNA, SB9…oh my!: Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring! In this episode, we cover a topic that was requested via our Instagram Stories: Zoning. We begin by defining what zoning is, what is taken into consideration within zoning codes, and discuss how the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) and California Senate Bill 9 (SB9) relate to zoning. EDITS: The court case brought up in the beginning of the episode is Village of Euclid vs Ambler Realty Company. RHNA is currently on the 6th cycle, not the 8th. Sources: Abundant Housing LA’s Updated Guide to Zoning in Los Angeles LA City Planning Zoning Overview SCAG RHNA Senate Bill 9: Senate Housing Package Understanding the Zoning Code in the City of Los Angeles, Crest Real Estate by Urban Planning is Not Boring

41 min listen

Dear Zoning, You Suck: We often associate historical discussions with the past which leads us to believe there are no impacts on the present. Sam and Natalie explain exactly why not everything historical is left in the past. The co-hosts dive into the history of zoning ordinances, exclusionary zoning, redlining, and unpack how these practices continue to impact folks today. Listen to get the full story! Urban Planning is Not Boring announces our BOOK CLUB! We are SO excited to launch our book club, and the first book that we will be reading is “The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America” by Richard Rothstein. We invite you all to join us in reading this book; we will be reading Chapters 1 through 4 and discussing this first section in our episode that we will release August 22. If you have any comments, questions, observations, etc. from the book, we encourage you to DM us on Instagram @urbanplanningisnotboring or email us at urbanplanningisnotbori by Urban Planning is Not Boring

59 min listen

What is a Planning Commissioner?? A Conversation with Elizabeth Pino: Welcome back to episode 15 of Urban Planning is Not Boring! This week, we have a very special guest on the podcast! Elizabeth Pino, a community engagement specialist and Planning Commissioner for the City of Torrance, speaks with Sam about everything from her role as a commissioner, how to get involved in public service, her experiences as a woman and mother, and the group that she helped found, Anti-Racist Moms (ARMs). About Elizabeth Pino: Elizabeth Pino is a Latina immigrant, wife, proud mother, and passionate public servant. She currently serves as Planning Commissioner for the City of Torrance and as a community engagement specialist for Wider Circle - a community-based health organization that drives better health for older adults and other vulnerable communities. Born and raised in Cali, Colombia, during one of the darkest times in the country, known as "The Pablo Escobar Era." Elizabeth witnessed things a by Urban Planning is Not Boring

38 min listen

The California Legislature Has Been Busy: A Policy Recap: Hello everyone! We are back after a brief break with our 14th episode! As you may know, the California State Legislature has been busy lately. Consequently, there has been a lot of legislation signed into law by Governor Newsom, with a lot of these new laws relating to and impacting our work as planners. Tune in for a conversation about a select few laws that we wanted to highlight: CARB’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule, AB-2097, AB-2011*, and SB-886. We hope that we are having a nuanced conversation that can be fruitful to everyone listening, despite being a bit critical of the bills! However, there are SO many more bills that have been signed into law, so we wanted to provide some additional resources for those interested in learning more. Some other bills that we we did not have time to cover… SB-1137: Would prohibit new oil and gas wells or extensive retrofitting of existing operations within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, nu by Urban Planning is Not Boring

58 min listen

The 15-Minute City: Have you heard of the concept of the 15-minute city? Winner of the 2021 OBEL AWARD and coined by Professor Carlos Moreno at the Sorbonne in Paris, this framework shapes the city in a new way that is centered around accessibility by walking and biking, keeping immediate needs within a 15-minute walk or bike. In this episode, Sam and Nat chat about what the 15-minute city framework means and some of the positive and negative implications of the implementation of this project. Sources: Welcome to the 15-minute city, written by Natalie Whittle. Published on Financial Times on July 16, 2020 https://www.ft.com/content/c1a53744-90d5-4560-9e3f-17ce06aba69a Defining the 15-minute city, written by Andres Duany and Robert Steuteville Published on CNU on February 8, 2021 https://www.cnu.org/publicsquare/2021/02/08/defining-15-minute-city The OBEL AWARD 2021 Winner https://obelaward.org/winner-2021/ Shoutout: Culdesac Tempe - The first car-free neighborhood built fro by Urban Planning is Not Boring

38 min listen

Grad School Survival Guide: In this episode, Nat and Sam go through some of their biggest tips for starting grad school! From finding your favorite study spots to being intentional, we chat about tips specific to beginning a Master of Urban Planning and any graduate program, more generally. If you have comments, questions, thoughts, etc. about our first book club book The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein, feel free to reach out to us at urbanplanningisnotboringpod@gmail.com by Urban Planning is Not Boring

45 min listen

Public Housing and the Vote to Repeal Article 34: Join Sam as she discusses the history of public housing, how public housing came to have a poor reputation, and what repealing Article 34 would mean for California. Sources: The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein California voters to decide on repeal of anti-public housing measure in 2024 Lawmakers Push to Repeal Anti-Black Housing Law in California Constitution It’s Past Time to Repeal Article 34 Why it's been so hard to kill Article 34, California's 'racist' barrier to affordable housing Article 34 by Urban Planning is Not Boring

20 min listen

The Future of Transportation with Hasan Ikhrata: Historic decision making and planning has led us to a nation with only one viable transportation option: the car. In the past, planners have focused on alternative modes of transportation including buses and rail systems. Dr. Hasan Ikhrata, CEO of San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), argues that these alternatives are not competitive with the car, in their current form, and the future of transit must be approached differently. More on Dr. Ikhrata: Dr. Ikhrata has over 30 years of public and private sector transportation planning experience in the region. As Executive Director of SANDAG, he directs day‐to‐day operations of the agency and implements policies set by its governing board. In addition, Dr. Ikhrata is the Chief Executive Officer of the SANDAG Service Bureau, the nonprofit public benefit corporation chartered by SANDAG. For more information about FACT, please visit their website linked here: FACT San Diego by Urban Planning is Not Boring

33 min listen

Freeway Expansion: It Won’t Solve Traffic Congestion!: Sam and Nat provided you with some historical information regarding freeway development and eminent domain in the last episode. Today they are bringing you the topic of freeway expansion and why it does not work to solve traffic congestion. Referencing a report written by Transportation for America, Sam and Nat give you an overview of what induced demand actually is and what it means when it comes to highway expansion and traffic congestion. Not only will you learn about induced demand and the nuances associated with urban sprawl and traffic related challenges, but you will also hear about what can possibly be done about it! Listen to hear more. For more information regarding the complete report by Transportation for America visit the link below! The Congestion Con Other Resources: How highways make traffic worse What's Up With That: Building Bigger Roads Actually Makes Traffic Worse Expanding highways and building more roads ac by Urban Planning is Not Boring

54 min listen

The Math is Mathing: Pro-Forma Analysis with Ben Feingold: Sam and Natalie are joined by industry professional and amazing USC adjunct Professor, Ben Feingold. What are pro-formas? Why are they used in development projects? Ben Feingold takes us through the financial analysis behind various project types and gives his own perspective on what makes a project so successful. Listen to learn more! by Urban Planning is Not Boring

46 min listen

Career Coaching with Kristy Kilbourne: Sam and Natalie sit down with Kristy Kilbourne, also know as @passionateplanning on Instagram, to bring listeners advice on how to navigate a career in planning. Covering topics from what employers are looking for in a potential new hire to what a career in planning actually looks like, this episode is one you won’t want to miss! If you’re an aspiring planner or an early-career planner, make sure you check out the free World Town Planning Day Student Event that the Canadian Institute of Planners is hosting online! Kristy will be delivering a keynote at the end of the day with her colleague Natalie Persaud RPP, MCIP. This event will be helpful for planners outside of Canada, as well! Where to find Kristy: Instagram LinkedIn Your Planning Career About Kristy: Kristy Kilbourne, MCIP, RPP, AICP (she/her) is a passionate urban planner, instructor, and career coach and mentor to planners. Her professional background includes working in a variety of ro by Urban Planning is Not Boring

57 min listen

Resolutions for the New Year!: Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring! We are starting off the year with an episode that is a bit different from our typical content - a lighthearted discussion about our resolutions for 2023 and our goals for the podcast this upcoming year. We have already started planning for amazing guests, new topics, and more listener/supporter engagement, so get ready for more urban planning knowledge!! And last but not least, with the new year, we just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone who listens and supports the show. We are just two students who wanted to create a platform and community, and each new follower and listener makes this possible for us! by Urban Planning is Not Boring

55 min listen

The Intersection of Content Creation and Urban Planning: Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring, the podcast that explores the fascinating world of urban planning. This episode, Sam and Nat sit down with Brittany Simmons, an urban planner and creative based in New York City, to discuss her journey into creating urban planning content and how it can help raise awareness about the importance of city planning. Brittany shares her insights on why she began creating content related to urban planning and how short-form content, such as TikTok videos, can be an effective tool in engaging a wider audience. She also shares her experience and practice in community engagement with her firm, highlighting the importance of involving communities in the planning process and how it can lead to more equitable and sustainable outcomes. Brittany also highlighted three groups to check out, including the New York Metro American Planning Association Diversity Committee (DivComm), Black Space Urbanist by Urban Planning is Not Boring

28 min listen

What is Builder's Remedy?: Welcome back to another episode of Urban Planning is Not Boring! Sam and Nat took a couple of weeks off to focus on school, work, travel, etc., but we are BACK! In this episode, we are talking about a relatively new phenomenon - builder's remedy. If you're from LA or living in LA currently, you've probably heard of the 4500 proposed units of housing in Santa Monica in response to builder's remedy. Why is there a sudden push to propose so much housing? Does builder's remedy have the potential to help us solve the housing crisis? We explore these questions and more in this week's episode! For more information, check out these resources: A Primer on California’s “Builder’s Remedy” for Housing-Element Noncompliance Builder’s remedy could allow thousands of new homes in California Santa Monica’s ‘builder’s remedy’ experiment holds lessons for the region City leaders still hope to block 15 of 16 builder’s remedy projects by Urban Planning is Not Boring

55 min listen

What the Freeway (WTF): Eminent Domain and the Interstate Highway System: Sam and Nat are beginning a mini-series to discuss all things freeway! Today they begin the series by diving into the history of the interstate highway system and provide some information regarding eminent domain and the role it played in freeway development across the country. Sam also provides some insights on a related case study in Santa Monica that she has been reviewing across this semester. This episode is anything but boring! Sources: A Brief History Of How Racism Shaped Interstate Highways Beneath The Santa Monica Freeway Lies The Erasure Of Sugar Hill Below Market Housing Pilot Santa Monica tries to repay historically displaced families Santa Monica’s message to people evicted long ago for the 10 Freeway: Come home by Urban Planning is Not Boring

36 min listen

You Asked, We Answered: Since starting this podcast, we’ve received a lot of questions about various urban planning topics, careers in the field, ways to be involved without a degree, and our personal journeys. We decided to answer some of these questions that we got on Instagram - everything from how we feel about expanding Fastrak lanes to if we ride bikes! Listen to find out more! For more information regarding professional opportunities in urban planning, listen to our episode with Kristy Kilbourne, aka @passionateplannning on Instagram! To get involved in planning, consider joining your local APA Chapter! by Urban Planning is Not Boring

57 min listen

Embedded Planning Praxis with Jonathan Pacheco Bell: Sam and Nat have the pleasure of sitting down with Jonathan Pacheco Bell to discuss his Embedded Planning Praxis. We discuss the importance of moving from community engagement to community partnership in planning, focusing on the premise that planning does not happen from our desks! We have to plan in the spaces and places within the community. Listen to learn more about Jonathan and his Embedded Planning Praxis! Where can you find Jonathan Pacheco Bell? Follow him on Instagram @c1typlann3r @embeddedplanning Some of Jonathan’s Most Notable Work: 2018 manifesto in #PlanMag declaring Embedded Planning praxis exists Article defining Embedded Planning praxis Article covering Embedded Planning and graffiti origins Latest article on Embedded Planning praxis and environmental justice To find more of his work, check out his Linktree and his blog! Shoutout of the episode: LA Neighborhood Land Trust by Urban Planning is Not Boring

53 min listen

The Finale of the USC MUP Program: Capstone: Sam and Nat sit down to discuss all things Capstone! With graduation right around the corner, the capstone project is a pivotal element of the MUP graduate program at USC. This episode dives into the project’s components and all the ups and downs Sam and Nat faced during the process of writing their reports! by Urban Planning is Not Boring

45 min listen

What is Critical Cartography? A Conversation with Dr. Annette Kim: Have you ever heard of critical cartography? After taking Dr. Kim’s course “Critical Cartography and Urban Spatial Ethnography”, Sam knew that we needed to have Dr. Kim on the show. In this course, USC students have the opportunity to consider mapping conventions and peoples, phenomena, patterns, behaviors, etc. that traditional mapping leaves out. Join us for an amazing conversation with Dr. Annette Kim about the importance of critical thinking and nuance in policy and planning as well as her background and research interests and experiences. About Dr. Kim: Annette M. Kim, Ph.D., is Associate Professor at the Sol Price School of Public Policy. She is also the Director of SLAB, the newly formed spatial analysis laboratory at Price that advances the visualization of the social sciences for public service through teaching, research, and public engagement. Her research experiments with ways to recover data of overloo by Urban Planning is Not Boring

36 min listen

Gendered Experiences on Transit with Meghna Khanna: "The role of transit in shaping urban form is as important as its role in meeting transportation needs." - Meghna Khanna In this episode, Sam and Nat chat with the amazing Meghna Khanna, a Senior Director at Los Angeles Metro. After seeing Meghna's keynote address at the APA Los Angeles Awards Ceremony, we knew that we wanted her to come on the podcast to talk about the work that she and her team at LA Metro have done pertaining to gendered experiences on transit. LA Metro has done amazing work in completing the comprehensive study Understanding How Women Travel, developing the Gender Action Plan as a result of this study, and forming the LA Metro Women & Girls Governing Council. Listen to hear more about these initiatives at LA Metro! About Meghna: As a transit planner, Meghna has been primarily focused on managing Transit Corridor Planning, Environmental and Design, Station Area Plans, TOD Planning and Transit Policy and advancing p by Urban Planning is Not Boring

43 min listen

Intersections of Design and Planning with Shruti Shankar: Welcome to Urban Planning is Not Boring, the podcast that explores the fascinating world of urban design and planning. In this episode, we are thrilled to have Shruti Shankar, the urban design director at Studio One Eleven, a renowned interdisciplinary architecture, interiors, urban planning, and landscape architecture practice based in Long Beach, California. Originally from Chennai, Shruti brings a unique perspective to her work, deeply fascinated by the people and life of cities rather than just the buildings themselves. As a trained architect, she has always been drawn to the larger picture—the organic life that thrives in bustling metropolises like Mumbai and Los Angeles, with a keen focus on accessibility, universality, and community building. During this conversation, we delve into Shruti's journey, discussing her upbringing in Chennai and how it shaped her passion for urban planning. We explore her role as an urban desig by Urban Planning is Not Boring

36 min listen

Disaster Planning and Community Engagement with Dr. Santina Contreras: This week, we are so lucky to have Dr. Santina Contreras a researcher and adjunct professor at the USC Price School of Public Policy. Santina's work focuses largely on environmental justice, disaster planning, and community engagement. With a background in structural engineering, Dr. Contreras has a unique subset of skills in the planning field, and we dive into how her background and passions have led her to where she is today. Listen to here more! Build Change - "Our mission is to greatly reduce deaths, injuries, and economic losses caused by housing and school collapses due to earthquakes, extreme weather and fires." Donate today at buildchange.org/give-today/ Ready.Gov Check out her local hazards and risks, and get prepared! If you're in California, make sure to get your earthquake preparedness kit!! About Dr. Contreras: Santina Contreras is an Assistant Professor at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. by Urban Planning is Not Boring

48 min listen

Let's talk about CEQA: If you live in California, you’ve probably heard of CEQA aka the California Environmental Quality Act. In this episode, Sam and Nat give a very high-level introduction of the CEQA process, its purpose, and opportunities for CEQA streamlining for various housing and multi-use developments. For more info: OPR CEQA 101 CEQA Portal Topic Paper - CEQA Exemptions SB 375 and CEQA Streamlining Other Sources: Introduction: The US Is Gently Discouraging States From Building New Highways CEQA: What are Exemptions Under CEQA and How Are They Used?. Want to save nature? Get to know CEQA CEQA Streamlining Opportunities by Urban Planning is Not Boring

47 min listen

Sitting Down with Kristen Jeffers (@blackurbanist): On this episode Sam and Nat sat down with Kristen Jeffers, MPA, who is an author, speaker, podcaster and analyst to talk about their experience in the field of Urban Planning. These experiences are what ultimately led to her authoring the book titled A Black Urbanist Journey to a Queer Feminist Future which will be published soon! Her insights are fascinating and touch upon the intersectionality of planning through the lens of lived experience. Listen to today’s episode to learn more! View The Principles of Black Queer Feminist Urbansim on Kristen’s website and support their platform by joining Patreon on a monthly or annual basis, contributing to their 2022 capital campaign powered by GoFundMe, invest in the currency of your choice via PayPal or send a little something via Cash.App or Venmo. Kristen Jeffers can be found at: Instagram: @blackurbanist Twitter: @blackurbanist LinkedIn: Kristen Jeffers Newsletter Website by Urban Planning is Not Boring

65 min listen

Affordable Housing Development with Peter Enzminger: In today’s episode we are joined by Peter Enzminger to discuss all things affordable housing! This episode's discussion focuses on the different elements of affordable housing development and the ways in which it is both similar and different from market-rate housing development. Peter addresses many unique aspects involved in affordable housing development, including the historical significance of affordable housing that permeates into planning and policy today. Listen to learn more! by Urban Planning is Not Boring

48 min listen

Let's talk about Placemaking with Dee Powell: Desiree (Dee) Powell does it ALL! From working with full-time with Congress for the New Urbanism, starting her own planning and placemaking group Do Right By The Streets (DRBTS), heading up the Sunny South Dallas Food Park activation and community space, and founding the Black Planner Collective, we quite frankly don’t know how she manages it all! But somehow, this incredible woman does! Listen to this episode to learn more about Dee Powell, a Texas-based planner and placemaker who believes above all else in economic mobility, community development, and turning temporary spaces into permanent ones for communities to enjoy. She believes in finding underutilized spaces in communities and transforming these spaces into ones that fill a community need - whether that be alleviating food insecurity or providing outdoor recreation space. We are so inspired after our conversation with Dee, and we hope that you are too!! Do Right by the Streets by Urban Planning is Not Boring

44 min listen

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What the Freeway (WTF): Eminent Domain and the Interstate Highway System

What the Freeway (WTF): Eminent Domain and the Interstate Highway System

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