City Fabrick–whose recent launch officially marked the nonprofit’s attempt to promote progressive urban design within Long Beach–will begin its inaugural address in their Context + Discourse lecture series.
“Context + Discourse promotes discussion between community stakeholders, civic leaders and government agencies about the physical environment,” said City Fabrick Executive Director and panelist moderator Brian Ulaszewski. “That way there can be thoughtful debate about the future of the City form.”
Entitled “Park Development in Compact Cities,” tonight’s presentation will discuss how to create new public space in built-out communities such as Long Beach. Built-out communities designate spaces which have little or no remaining build-able land and are often described as “browardized,” a term used to discuss the consequences of over-development: traffic congestion, lack of green spaces, overcrowding, and a generally lower quality of life.
In this context, three panelists–Phil Hester, former director of Long Beach Park, Recreation & Marine; Ata Ul Malik Khan, program manager of the Harbor Community Benefit Foundation; and Melanie Smith, principal of planning and urban design from Meléndrez–will engage in conversation about one of City Fabrick’s most ambitious projects, The Yards in West Long Beach.
Though a series of planning proposals, tonight’s discussion will focus on The Yards’ West Long Beach greenspan proposal that, at 350 acres, could create the city’s largest park second to El Dorado.
Given the proposal of new rail yards, port facilities, and freeway expansions, the strategy to create green spaces becomes essential in fostering healthier communities.
“In particular, the Wilmington Waterfront Park is especially relevant to the discussion related to the proposed Southern California International Gateway, adjacent to West Long Beach,” continued Ulaszweski. “The park cost $55 million to build, but also includes around $40 million in land acquisition and $15 million in pre-development costs. This park was developed as part of a new Port of Los Angeles terminal. The audience will hear more about it this evening.”
Tonight’s Context + Discourse is free and open to the public. It will be held tonight at 6PM at the Willmore Building Solarium, located at 315 W. 3rd Street. Brian Ulaszewski, founder of nonprofit design studio City Fabrick, is an occasional writer on urban planning for the Post.
Read more:
- City Council, Environmental Groups Appeal Port of LA’s Support of SCIG
- After 7 Hours of Public Comment, Controversial SCIG Rail Yard Approved
- Realigning the San Pedro Branch Railroad Once More
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