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Latino Urban Forum - by James Rojas
As ever increasing numbers of Latino immigrants and native-born Mexican Americans settle into Los Angeles, they bring with them different uses of urban space to an already existing environment.
Based on the homes, ciudades, pueblos, and ranchos in Latin America that differ physically and socially from the American suburb, a resulting spatial evolution called Latino Urbanism has reshaped the urban environment of Los Angeles in unique patterns and forms.
However there continues to be a lack of understanding of this new urbanism, a lack of understanding that more often than not keeps the city’s bureaucratic land use policy process from meeting the spatial needs of the Latino community, which today constitutes half the city’s population.
The Latino Urban Forum (LUF) was established by a group of architects, urban planners and community members to understand and improve the condition of Latino communities by examining the architecture, open space, environment, infrastructure and land use policies of today’s evolving urban landscape.
LUF is a volunteer organization of over 100 stakeholders who work on issues facing their communities. It is a highly motivated, technically adept group of individuals whose expertise in different fields allow them to tackle complex issues head on, to establish new ideas and, when necessary, challenge City Hall on policies it feels are detrimental to the Latino community.
In the little over a year of its existence, LUF has partnered with different organizations and advocated on a number of cutting edge projects. These include the role it played in deciding the fates of the Chinatown Cornfields, Taylor Yards, MTA Long Range Plan, and two major light rail projects for the greater Eastside. Currently LUF is working on getting a jogging trail built in around Evergreen Cemetery in Boyle Heights. In addition LUF focused on the much ignored pedestrian safety question, which is adversely and disproportionately affecting the Latino community.
LUF also works closely with different community groups, and is fundamentally committed to working and connecting with the community itself, to learn their needs and discuss options for improving their environment. LUF has monthly meetings and forums where community members and stakeholders express their opinions, share ideas and are updated on issues facing the Latino community.
LUF’s emergence on the scene is timely, and was made possible by the strong base of professionals within the Latino community that did not exist previously in Los Angeles. Los Angeles policy makers and residents need to understand LA’s new Latino urbanism, and Latinos need to take greater leadership in crafting these policies to promote and protect their communities. LUF is part of the solution and is how LA will become a great city.
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For Further information contact James Rojas at 213 629-9122 or luf00@hotmail.com
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