Los Angeles Urban Renewal Network, Inc. (LURN) is a multi-disciplinary coalition of progressive professionals committed to revitalizing the city’s most under-represented communities. Recognizing that thousands of Los Angeles-area households live in poorly invested neighborhoods, marginalized from the city’s powerful economy, LURN intends to generate and implement innovative ideas for building cleaner, greener and more sustainable communities, in partnership with and to benefit the existing community residents and business owners.
LURN strives to create a new model for urban development—one that cuts red tape, brings professionals together, learns from the mistakes of historic urban renewal projects, and empowers residents to resuscitate their own neighborhoods. LURN will tap into the talents and expertise of an emerging crop of leaders to document and raise awareness of inequality, gather resources, and strategically inject them into communities neglected by traditional entities.
Objectives
LURN believes that effective urban planning can be a force for social change. LURN strives to:
- Work with government and community-based organizations to promote comprehensive regional planning and affordable housing in Southern California
- Support small business to be competitive and respond to the emerging green economy
- Prepare and publish studies that promote sustainable and community-based development
- Design and construct demonstration projects that encourage greater sustainable and affordable methods for design and construction in commercial and residential development
- Foster the development of young professionals working in urban planning, through networking events, training and educational programs
- Use the lessons learned from historic urban renewal efforts to work in partnership with current residents and community leaders
- Promote the engagement of local communities and at-risk youth in all levels of planning and civic governance
- Promote and facilitate the development of greater open space and civic space through neighborhood planning and community-based zoning
Initiatives
$20K Homes – LURN is pursuing the development of affordable housing for working families and young professionals. A similar model has been implemented in Alabama with the development of homes for $20,000 (including hard and soft costs).
Nonprofit Collaborative – LURN is planning the development of a community center and office complex for non-profit organizations. The development will serve as a catalytic project and be constructed using recycled materials, including steel shipping containers.
Street Vendors - LURN is partnering with a Los Angeles-based design studio to study a policy and development response in support of the entrepreneurial spirit of street vendors in urban centers including Los Angeles.
Smart Planning Policies – In collaboration with a coalition of charter school developers, LURN is preparing a white paper to define best practices in government that support and facilitate the permitting and construction of new schools.