Ciclavia Is Just One GOOD Idea

A GOOD presentation. Image: Ron Milam

On December 5^th, GOOD Magazine hosted an event called L.A. 2.0: Refresh, Reinvent and Re-imagine that assembled 25 leading urban practitioners for an afternoon to identify five key urban strategies to improve the physical environment in Los Angeles.

I participated in this event and am pleased to report the common theme that emerged from the five groups was the need for flexibility in how we use urban space. So rather than streets being prioritized only for cars all the time, that the city of Los Angeles needs to be more proactive in using our spaces in ways that also build community and promote sustainability.

One idea that came up in several groups was the Ciclavia concept. Several people within the gathering were familiar with this idea, which goes to show the folks working on organizing this are doing a good job getting the word out. Several folks had not heard about this idea, but really liked the concept after they heard more about it.

Thanks to everyone who submitted suggestions when I made an earlier post about this gathering. I shared several of these ideas with folks who attended, which included architects, planners, staff from local elected officials, bloggers, developers, artists and advocates. The results of the think-tank will be put into a letter which will be sent to the Obama administration. I will also keep many of the good ideas I heard in mind as I continue to work with sustainability-oriented nonprofits in LA.

So, when are we going to get a Ciclavia in L.A.? Sometime in 2010 sounds good to me!

(Editor's note: Ron did a preview of the meeting, that included some of your suggestions, that can be found here.)