Would you care if L.A. eventually started killing it's inner suburbs to make way for more density? (Los Angeles: city hall, big home)

[munchitup]

Originally Posted by hipcat

Dubai, Miami and most Latin American cities have sunshine all year also and they have impressive skylines. The constant sunshine is not an excuse to have a small skyline like Downtown. Wilshire from Downtown to Westwood is mostly tall and medium height buildings anyways. Skyscrapers might not work, but more meduim height to taller buildings from Downtown to Westwood would add a bit of vibrancy.

Yeah I can get behind this... It is really starting to happen too. Don't level Hancock Park though.

And I have no problem with LA's skyline - the good news is it is going to get better in the next few years, new tallest plus a handful of medium-height skyscrapers.

[BRinSM]

I like high rises, but enjoyable urban environments are all about scale. This is exactly why in NYC the village is a more popular place to live than midtown or downtown. Same for Santa Monica vs downtown here in LA. Its also why the mega cities in China will never have the appeal that European cities have. There is definitely a happy medium to be found somewhere between detached houses and 15+ story buildings that is most appropriate for LA's landscape.

[Harrier]

Originally Posted by Howiester

Why are so many people so infatuated with population density?

I think that "so many people" aren't - only the OP, perhaps.

[Marv101]

LA doesn't need any more skyscrapers when many of them have staggering vacancy rates, and especially those in downtown; a government which spends tons of taxpayer money so unnecessarily when there's tons of vacant office space in downtown LA like the MTA Taj Mahal which was built when Arco Plaza was 60% empty.

However, with a pro-development government fixated on infill projects at the expense of the middle class, more density within the inner city is well underway for our wealthiest residents.

The fact that our city is pathetically short of parks thanks to being run by developers isn't a good thing either for most of us.

Suburbia isn't dying under any circumstances; folks who started fleeing to the suburbs forty years ago and the 3,500,000+ who have been leaving the entire state for the past twenty years thanks to the progressives in Sacramento still want to raise families, send their kids to good schools as opposed to inner-city schools for obvious reasons and pursue the American dream, which is why California's skyrocketing child shortage will be devastating for our state's future finances, which are already in a world of hurt.

[mrsltd]

Originally Posted by hipcat

Imagine if LA had a skyline like Dubai that spreads from Westwood from Downtown. It would look mighty impressive. Having a skyline ranked #34 in the US ain't cutting it.

LA Skyline Ranked Number 34 (Right Below Minneapolis) - The Skyline - Curbed LA

Why does a skyline matter, and who are these people doing the ranking? Who asked them anyway?

LA's skyline is the LEAST of its problems. Those are some awesome pictures, though.

[jm1982]

I agree.

It's not surprising that la doesn't have the most impressive skyline

It's more spread out than a lot of cities so downtown isn't where all that action is .

Also skyline for asthetic reasons really is the least of our worries .

I think we should focus on blight which seems to have risen in many areas .

Enforcing the laws or codes on the books regarding signage etc
Could go a long away. Making business owners and landlords responsible ...
Like they do in other cities.. No it's not a novel idea .

I think the city needs to stop focusing on the next big downtown la mega project or stadium and clean up the city .

I have been told directly by many city employees that the city is too lenient about enforcing the codes on the books .

The city looks tackier and tackier every day, and it is a shame .

[Marv101]

Area-wise it's the fourth largest city in the USA, so a dazzling skyline isn't a necessity under any circumstances because very few people live there, and it still lacks a ton of amenities that are essential for most of us; having a single grocery store as well as a Target going into the old Macy's @ 7th & Hope is a start, but where are all the parks?

[RaymondChandlerLives]

Originally Posted by jm1982

I agree.

It's not surprising that la doesn't have the most impressive skyline

It's more spread out than a lot of cities so downtown isn't where all that action is .

Also skyline for asthetic reasons really is the least of our worries .

I think we should focus on blight which seems to have risen in many areas .

Enforcing the laws or codes on the books regarding signage etc
Could go a long away. Making business owners and landlords responsible ...
Like they do in other cities.. No it's not a novel idea .

I think the city needs to stop focusing on the next big downtown la mega project or stadium and clean up the city .

I have been told directly by many city employees that the city is too lenient about enforcing the codes on the books .

The city looks tackier and tackier every day, and it is a shame .

Amazing what you'll trick yourself into believing when you hold a negative opinion of a place. The notion that L.A. looks MORE blighted and tacky now vs the 80's is absurd.

[jm1982]

Have you been to the valley lately ?

[RaymondChandlerLives]

Have you been to DTLA, Hollywood, Koreatown, Venice, Echo Park, Etc. lately? All areas that have noticeably cleaned up since the 80's. Even SM and WeHo were grimy then. Now they're like Disneyland.