Because so much space is unused in Los Angeles' suburbs, there are several chances for better urban planning. Ample circumstantial evidence suggests that Los Angeles uses more than 60% of its land for automobiles (a lengthy discussion of that reality is found here [pdf]). Investing some of that space in better mass transit would go a long way to reducing our dependence on oil and improving the quality of life for everyone who lives here.
There are currently efforts under way to redesign parts of Los Angeles. The city's mayor has announced plans to convert portions of downtown into a "grand central station" where buses would replace cars as the main mode of transportation. And a group called L.A. Moves wants to transform an area near one of California's busiest airports into a dense community with shops, restaurants, and offices-all car-free.
These are just two examples of many other possibilities. There are also efforts being made at a local level, such as those led by Councilmember Paul Koretz and Council President Eric Garcetti. These men have started groups to discuss ways to improve our city's infrastructure and development practices over time. They hope this will lead to more sustainable neighborhoods that are less dependent on driving alone.
The need for better urban planning in Los Angeles is obvious if you only look around. There are few places in America where you can walk for miles without coming across any buildings or streets.
According to foreign and local studios that are benefiting from the city's combination of low rents and large projects, Los Angeles is transforming into a "dystopia gone right" and is currently the most intriguing destination in the United States for modern architecture.
L.A. has been described as a city that lives and dies by its cars. It has the highest per capita rate of car ownership in the country. However, it also has some of the most beautiful public spaces in America, including Grand Park and Pershing Square. If you're looking to get away from it all but still want to be close to the city center, these neighborhoods are a good choice.
Los Angeles was founded on theft and piracy, and many buildings show this heritage with their black-and-white tile roofs and nautical styling. But L.A. has a strong cultural identity too, which is reflected in its modern architecture. There are several different styles present in L.A., from brutish industrial structures to sleek office towers. If you look around carefully, you should be able't miss them.
In conclusion, yes, Los Angeles is good for architecture. There are plenty of unique buildings to see across the city. But perhaps more important than the architectural beauty is the community that surrounds these structures. The people who live and work in them help create the atmosphere that makes each neighborhood special.
Los Angeles County is made up of 88 cities and more than 400 neighborhoods! But if you're looking for a place to live in Los Angeles, you've come to the correct spot. We cover all areas of the city from Hollywood to Burbank, from Santa Monica to Venice, and everywhere in between.
See all-around L.A. with these interactive maps: neighborhood maps, city maps, county maps.
L.A. has many distinct neighborhoods. Some are rich and some are poor, but they all have something to offer the person who lives there. The city is so diverse that it can be difficult to decide where to live. If you need help making your decision, however, these interactive maps are perfect for seeing what's available in different areas of town.
Start with our neighborhood maps. They list every single address in each district. You can click on any house number or street name to see a full map of that location. These maps are great for people who want to know exactly what's available in a specific area.
Next, explore cities by neighborhood using our city maps. They show all the districts of each city along with their names. You can also see how much each property costs on this map.
The city of Los Angeles is the most limited description of Los Angeles (excluding all neighboring areas). The city has a geographical area of 462 square miles and a population of 3.8 million people who live in dozens of neighborhoods. The enormous San Fernando Valley contains the northernmost chunk of the metropolis of Los Angeles. It's home to more than 1 million people.
Los Angeles was founded on February 8, 1781 by Spanish governor Felipe de Neve at what is now known as La Plaza. The town was named after Luis Antonio de Benavides, the viceroy of New Spain. Over the next few years, more settlers arrived and the population grew to about 300 people. In 1805, Mexico gained its independence from Spain and formed its own government, which meant it could no longer claim ownership over its territories including California. Many Americans living in California petitioned the Mexican government to allow them to settle here and move west with their new country, but the government refused.
In 1848, an army led by General Stephen Watts Kearny claimed control of California for the United States and renamed the town Los Angeles after its commander. This put an end to any hopes many Mexicans had that the territory would be part of Mexico again. By this time, the population of Los Angeles was about 1,000 people. In 1850, California became the 31st state in the Union.
Buildings in urban settings are frequently erected closer together and higher than those in suburban or rural locations. Suburban areas are those that are located on the outskirts of cities. Suburban residents frequently commute to cities for work. Rural regions are often separated from metropolitan areas. Many pupils see farming when they think of rural locations.
There are two main types of urbanization: central city and outlying suburb. In the central city scenario, a single town or city center contains most of the population as well as most of the cultural facilities and businesses. The outlying suburb consists of smaller communities surrounding the central city. Often, there is no single dominant community within the outlying suburbs; instead, each location has its own government and police force.
Suburbs can be divided into three main categories according to their relationship to the central city: independent towns, boroughs, and villages. Independent towns are completely separate from any other municipality, while boroughs have limited self-government powers. Villages are the smallest form of municipal government, consisting of only a few hundred people. They are usually found in rural areas where there is no other form of local government.
In most countries, an official classification defines urban and rural areas based on population density. Therefore, isolated dwellings in rural areas may also be classified as urban due to high population densities. On the other hand, large metropolitan areas with hundreds of thousands of inhabitants can be considered rural because of low population densities.