James Rojas
Recent Posts
L.A.’s DIY Complete Streets
| | 7 Comments
(As I type these words, UCLA is hosting the Complete Streets for Los Angeles Conference in Downtown Los Angeles. As you can guess, I’m not at the conference. To provide coverage, we asked some of the presenters to allow us to publish their presentations. First up: regular Streetsblog contributor James Rojas. We’ll have more next […]
Construction Zone: Target Free Family Day
| | No Comments
Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 11-4 Volunteers Needed! This month’s theme is building and architecture. ALL DAY CRAFT ACTIVITIES: Create a map collage of your neighborhood. Construct a wacky building out of a variety of materials. I will be facilitating a series of interactive workshops for the whole family. Location: Japanese American National Musuem 369 […]
The Act of Being a Pedestrian
| | 3 Comments
It always amazes me how artists can capture new ways of walking in the existing built environment. The boring streets of South Park became a world of physical and sensual discovery through Being Pedestrian facilitated by Sara Wooky and Sara Daleiden last Saturday. I also re-learned how to be a pedestrian by simply completing some […]
A Sustainable Ending for the 710 Tunnel Debate – Let’s Build Light Rail for Everyone
| | 17 Comments
The never-ending debate over whether or not to “complete” SR-710 so that it connects with the 210 provides a great opportunity to create a sustainable option for the 710 Tunnel. Instead of a tunnel designed to move trucks and cars, we need to create a light rail alternative that connects the region’s biggest job centers […]
A Smashing Success: Pasadena’s Streets and Sidewalks in the Hands of the People
| | 1 Comment
Last night’s event, “Planning the Future of Our Streets” was a smashing success. Over 100 people packed the Crenshaw Family Forum for a symposium and interactive planning session. Our thanks go to all the presenters, Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, James Rojas, Mayor Bill Bogaard, Mark Gangi, Linda Immediato, Felicia Williams, and Erlinda Romo, the staff of KPCC […]
Nacimeintos/Nativity Scenes, Latino Public Art Installation in the Front Yard
| | No Comments
During the Latino Christmas season, which begins December 12th on the Feast day of our Lady of Guadalupe and lasts until January 6th the Epiphany, Latino front yards become a celebration of public art installations. Unlike many Christmas lawn decorations, which are pre-designed and store bought, the Latino front yard Nativity scenes are personal explosions […]
Perils of walking in Alhambra, My near death experience!
| | 8 Comments
I pressed the crosswalk button and waited until the traffic light signaled me to cross the street. Before I stepped onto the cross walk on Main Street at the intersection with Granada, heading north, I looked ahead slightly left to see if there were any on coming cars. Besides the handful of cars stopped by […]
Workshop Notes from “L.A. 2050” Event at Occidental College
| | 1 Comment
(Last week before a question and answer session with L.A. City Planning Director Michael LoGrande, James Rojas led attendees through an interactive modeling program. The theme of this program was to envision Los Angeles in 2050. Rojas shares his notes with us below. If you’re not familiar with Rojas’ modeling projects, check out this video […]
LA in Maps: What’s next??
| | 15 Comments
After reading the book L.A. in Maps I asked myself the question, “What’s next?” I realized that Los Angeles is no longer being shaped by infrastructure and development. Today, Los Angeles is being shaped by culture. The book’s historical L.A. maps give an account of the city’s growth and development. They highlight how topography, policies, […]
James Rojas Takes His Interactive Modeling Projects to the United Nations
| | No Comments
The whole world got to plan and learn from Rojas’ interactive modeling project. It was a privilege and honor for my artwork to represent the United States at the United Nation Habitat organized World Urban Forum (WUF) in Brazil. The theme of the fifth biannual conference was The Right to the City: Bridging the Urban […]
The Eastside Gold Line Rail as a Learning Tool for at-Risk Youth
| | 2 Comments
The full model that will be on displat at Washington Adams Gallery on 12/17. Photo: James Rojas The opening up of the Eastside Gold Line Light Rail afforded twenty-four students from Mujeres y Hombres Nobles Continuation High School in East Los Angeles and I the opportunity to explore urban planning and transportation options together. As […]