December 18, 2007 L.A. Community-Based Transportation Initiative Receives APA National Planning Award WASHINGTON, DC —The American Planning Association (APA) today named the Central City Neighborhood Partners' (CCNP) Community Transportation Plan recipient of the 2008 National Planning Excellence Award for a Grassroots Initiative. To meet the growing transportation needs of the densely populated and underserved Westlake Community and surrounding areas, officials in Los Angeles fully involved local residents in the planning process. This led to consensus and community support for a series of improvement projects including a new transit village that will break ground in April 2008. "CCNP's recognition that the best way to find real solutions is to effectively engage those most impacted seems simple — yet so often it doesn't occur," said 2008 National Planning Awards Jury Chairperson Carol Rhea, AICP. "Their approach sets an example for residents, officials and planners across the country on how to leverage a city's diverse resources to improve the livability of the entire community." Representatives from CCNP will receive their award at a luncheon ceremony April 30 during APA's National Planning Conference. A 30-minute video about all 11 of the 2008 National Planning Excellence, Achievement, and Leadership Awardees will be shown at the luncheon. Accomplishments of the award recipients also will be highlighted in the April 2008 issue of Planning magazine and on the APA website. In order to develop this grassroots plan, planners and government officials, assembled and nurtured a team of more than 35 residents who assessed the 400 bus stops in the neighborhood, conducted 997 bus ridership surveys, polled 512 residents, and participated in 12 community meetings. In total, residents identified 33 specific transportation infrastructure improvement projects. In addition, CCNP wrote three funding applications with the City of Los Angeles for $4.5 million for transit infrastructure and pedestrian safety improvements, five projects for Safe Routes to School funding, and two proposals to the California Department of Transportation to continue community planning and build a transit village. Further, residents are working with Metropolitan Transit Authority and Los Angeles Department of Transportation to implement a bus stop improvement advocacy program that will improve the quality and condition of bus stops. "CCNP's successful approach is a stellar example of grassroots advocacy and community building," noted Kurt Christiansen, AICP, a member of APA's California Chapter. "This shows us that working together, we can all provide better outcomes that help make our daily lives and communities better in tangible ways." For a list of all 2008 National Planning Excellence, Achievement, and Leadership Award recipients, visit www.planning.org/awards/2008winners.htm. APA's national awards program, considered to be the profession's highest honor, began more than 50 years ago to recognize outstanding community plans, and planning leaders.
|
| |
Printer-Friendly Format
