The sunny state of California is a trendsetter in so many areas. In that spirit, we see the LA River Revitalization as a laboratory where we can develop a car-free culture of living and working. As of 2008, the Los Angeles River is still an unattractive concrete-lined storm drain. However, in 2007 the City approved a revitalization master plan, promising that change is on the way.
At Holigent.org we are reimagining the LA River with a difference. Alongside the prospective plans for commercial projects, we propose the development of a demonstration Transitional/Holigent Complex. Within a few years we envision Holigent Complexes multiplying and grow to become a Transitional/Holigent Urban Village. In the decades to come we anticipate a string of Transitioal/Holigent Urban Villages to spring up along the River, interconnected by a high-speed monorail system. To avoid the homogeneous monotony often created by large developments, we envision each of these urban villages as unique architectural gems. Each urban village dressed in the heritage of a distinct culture and nationality and also be imbued with a measure of color and artful accentuation to remind residents and visitors that Hollywood and Disneyland are not far away.
Residents of Transitional/Holigent Urban Villages will assume a large role in self-governance, participate in maintenance, provide security and extend a hand in community outreach. Such communities will facilitate a comfortable transition from car-dependent to car-free and sustainable living. The transition would reduce carbon emissions, provide affordable housing, lower the cost of living, enhance security, reduce stress and improve the quality of life.
Some Challenges to be Considered
The LA River Re-Imagined begins with the consideration that Los Angeles must compete for people and investments with the attractive and temperate coastal regions and the expanding, comparatively less expensive inland areas.
With that challenge in mind, we must create strong magnets to attract people and investments to the LA River Revitalization.
The LA River Re-Imagined consists of a number
of Transitional/Holigent, mixed-use urban villages along the LA River, joined together by a fast-moving
elevated train or monorail. The electric rail will connect to the core of downtown Los Angeles
and to the existing mass transit system.
Los Angeles
Downtown
Urban Villages along the LA River joined by an elevated train system
The first Transitional Urban Village
would serve as a model and social
experiment. Additional villages and
extensions of the elevated rail
to be built to fill demand.
Urban Village, Old Oakland Farmers’ Market, California
A Pioneering Model for Sustainable Living:
Transitional Car-Free, Human-Scale, Mixed-Use Urban Villages Along the LA River
Vertical expansion rather than continued sprawl is an important part of the answer. The car-free, mixed-use urban village can create the density, without an increase in traffic, that is necessary for social and economic viability. The LA River offers a unique opportunity for creating attractive and vibrant communities with light footprints on the environment.
Many cities across the U.S. have well-established high-rise residential developments and there is a growing trend to expand car-free pedestrian neighborhoods.
High-rise condominiums – Westwood, Los Angeles
The Conceptual Layout Plan
The transitional communities along the LA River will have pedestrian cores, with no cars and streets, served by an elevated electric-rail mass transport system. All the residents will live within a convenient walking distance from the transit center.
Extended Systemic Planning helps to factor in all the essential physical, social, economic and environmental elements necessary for a successful transition to sustainable living and working.
For details please see Transitional Urban Village
The Los Angeles River Revitalization
During the 1960s the federal government paved the Los Angeles River to prevent it from flooding. In recent years there has been a growing public voice calling for the greening and restoration of the river. In cooperation with community groups, in 2002 the Los Angeles City Council under the leadership of Councilmember Ed Reyes established the Ad Hoc Committee to lay out the master plan for the revitalization of the Los Angeles River. The LA River Re-Imagined is our input to the public discussion and we hope that Los Angeles will take up the challenge and start the Transition Race to Peace and Sustainability.
Mass transportation is the artery of a city. It has to be rapid, uninterrupted and reliable, with a minimal environmental footprint. These requirements disqualify cars and most other internal combustion engine driven surface transportation systems.
Underground trains are excellent mass transportation systems. However, their high price (about $350 million per mile for the Los Angeles Red Line), presents a great hurdle.
Transportation
Monorails, while not universally practical, are an attractive option in some densely developed urban
settings. Their price is a fraction of the cost of subway systems and can double as a scenic ride.
One element of the Los Angeles River Re-Imagined is a monorail line connecting the Transitional Urban Villages along the LA River. Such a rapid and uninterrupted transportation system is essential to the economic and social viability of the future LA River communities.
Additional Magnets
to Attract People to Live in Close-to-Work, Car-Free Urban Villages Along the LA River
STRESS
Reduced stress leads to a reduction in health
maintenance costs, as well as improved
fitness and higher productivity.
$
CAR
$
No car payments, insurance, registration, maintenance, or fuel costs. No car-related accidents, deaths or injuries.
Saved commute time can be turned into material
and social value. For example, residents can participate in community maintenance, habitat and wildlife restoration, or spend time mentoring at-risk youth.
Commute
Time
Garage-free medium- and high-rise developments can reduce construction costs for the builder and lower unit cost or rent for residents.
Civil servants and first responders will find the urban villages along
the LA River desirable as they will be able to live close to their jobs
and the communities they serve.
Living in car-free, mixed-use urban villages along the LA River
will be a timely move and a model solution in the age of global warming and declining oil supply.
The LA River Reimagined
The introduction of The Holigent Solution will ideally act as a giant magnet, attracting companies and their employees to live and work in car-free, mixed-use Transitional/Holigent Urban Villages along the LA River. The Holigent Solution will introduce a higher level of social and economic security with the lowest possible carbon footprint on the environment.