Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Streetsblog USA

Talking Headways Podcast: James Rojas – The City Is a Painting You Walk Into

This week I'm joined by James Rojas of Place It! to talk about art in planning and Latino urbanism. James is an award-winning planner and a native Angeleno, and he tells us about how growing up in East LA and visiting his grandmother’s house shaped the way he thinks about urban spaces and design.

Tune in and hear James discuss the importance of plazas to Latino culture and the history behind them, how people understand place, and why the public planning process works better when you start by tapping into people's childhoods rather than treating it purely as a problem solving exercise. Enjoy!

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Wednesday’s Headlines

ICE, record heat, WeHo, Metro, World Cup, gas prices, speed cameras, San Gabriel River path, Long Beach, car-nage and more

March 18, 2026

Pasadena Seeks Input for Transit Service Overhaul

Several lines could be condensed on the north side of town, a new line is proposed from Huntington Hospital to JPL, and Dial-A-Ride could give same day service.

March 17, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines

Record heat, Santa Monica, LAX people mover, Culver City, westside bus lanes, K Line, Griffith Park, MacArthur Park, car-nage and more.

March 17, 2026

This Week In Livable Streets

Metro NoHo-Pasadena BRT meeting in Burbank tonight, Westside safety project meetings, Metro board committees, SGV bike rides, and more.

March 16, 2026

Eyes on the Street: Short New Protected Bike Lane on Pacific Avenue

Installed as part of Downtown Long Beach's Resa mixed-use development, the northbound protected bike lane extends for one block, immediately south of the Metro A Line Pacific Avenue Station

March 16, 2026

Monday’s Headlines

ICE, record heat, LAPD, Pasadena 710 plans, Long Beach parklet, carpool cheat, Seal Beach e-biker injures ped, car-nage, gas prices, and more

March 16, 2026
See all posts