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Urban Renewal

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Urban Renewal

Urban renewal (also called urban regeneration) is a function of urban planning that in the United States reached its peak from the late 1940s through to the early1970s (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). The most significant policy undertaken by a wide range of cities since World War II was that of urban renewal. Since 1954 urban renewal programs have changed the face of many downtown areas and displaced millions of low-income citizens. If there is anything to the "growth machine" hypothesis, the origins of this program at the national level, and the implementation of it in different cities, should reveal the guiding influence of the growth machine, for what these programs do is to clear downtown land of low-income housing and small buildings so that central business districts and such major institutions as universities and hospitals can be expanded and enhanced. Urban renewal has had a massive impact on the urban landscape and continues to the present day; urban renewal evolved into a policy based less on destruction and more on renovation and investment, and today is an integral part of many local governments, often combined with small and large business incentives. East Garfield area in Glendale, which is the third largest city and is located ten miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, is the region that is undergoing the revitalization. Glendale has a population of approximately 200,000 people in an area of 30.6 square mile (http://www.glendale.co.us). The City's population reflects an ethnic diversity common throughout Southern California with high concentrations of Armenian, Hispanic, and Korean residents. The local economy is dominated by retail and service industries with emphasis in the entertainment field. Several major freeways and its proximity to downtown Los Angeles, Burbank Airport, serve Glendale and many recreational facilities make it a desirable place to live. In fact, since January 2000, East Garfield (generally defined as the area bounded by Glendale Avenue, Brand Boulevard, Chevy Chase Drive, and Maple Street) area was identified as an appropriate area for neighborhood revitalization, which is planned to include a multi-disciplinary approach that can involve code enforcement, rehabilitation of housing units, improvement of public infrastructure, consideration of zoning standards, creation of open space, land banking, and the construction of affordable housing designed to raise the quality of life of residents. Some of the issues about this specific neighborhood include: crime, substandard housing, density, undeveloped land, parking, and traffic circulation. From those issues, three major areas were identified to address. Once addressed, these areas would then become tools towards contributing to neighborhood revitalization. In my opinion, the highest public improvement priority in the East Garfield area is the reconstruction and improvement of the H-alley. This is an alleyway that is located in the center of this neighborhood. It services one-way traffic going south from Windsor to Garfield near Maryland Avenue on one side, and one way traffic going north from Garfield to Windsor near Glendale Avenue on the other side, and two way traffic running east west for service to properties off of Windsor and Garfield. It is substandard in size and condition and has been a consistent code enforcement, Police, and traffic and circulation problem. The East Garfield Area was determined to be deficient in park and open space. Based upon direction provided by the City Council and Housing Authority, three parcels along Maryland Avenue were acquired. These parcels, consisting of South Maryland, were dedicated to be developed entirely as a small neighborhood park, which would be a perfect way for a community to become revitalized. As part of the alleyway improvements, a five-foot dedication of property will be made alongside the entire eastern end of this proposed park parcel. This will require a total dedication of approximately 750 square feet thus reducing the proposed mini-park site (http://www.laforum.org/news.php). This will allow for greater maneuverability along this key point of the H-alley for both the project and neighborhood residents and has been a key concern to the operations of Police and Public Works. Luckily, the Community Partnerships Department has a special program called Community Partnerships – Grants that is proud to announce the return of the Neighborhood Grants Program. “Yes, that's right. You can apply for FREE money to put the beauty back in your neighborhood”. As a matter of fact, this organization is always ready to help the neighborhoods to get out from difficult situations an d become revitalized; however, in order to apply for an improvement grant, every neighborhood has to be at least 15 years old, has a minimum of at least 20 homes, and, be registered with the Neighborhood Partnership Office (www.glendale-wi.org/commdev.htm). This program encourages registered neighborhoods to discuss and plan improvement projects based on the needs or goals of the entire neighborhood. The Neighborhood Grants Program can provide funding to assist with the revitalization of Glendale’s older neighborhoods; moreover, we can actively participate in the renewal of our own neighborhoods. The purpose of the Glendale Commission on Neighborhoods is to develop and recommend to the Mayor and City Council general policies, strategies, and programs relating to the development, preservation, improvement, and revitalization of Glendale neighborhoods. Another thing that could be very useful for a community that is chosen to become revitalized is to get enrolled in the Delta Region Revitalization Project, which is a coordinated effort by elected officials and community leaders to fuel economic growth and job opportunities in the region. Members of Delta Revitalization Board began conversations to create a comprehensive strategic planning process for the Delta Region, including Edcouch, Elsa, La Villa, Monte Alto, and surrounding rural communities. Among the recommendations to enhance the Delta Region community and business infrastructure are: develop its talent pool, beautify the area, and diversify the economy (http://hinojosa.house.gov). East Garfield area has seen a decline in population and has about 1,750 vacant lots. But powered by the rising visibility of the Garfield Park Conservatory, CTA improvements and interest in historic graystones, planners hope to spur a turnaround. In fact, neighborhood leaders from East Garfield Park presented their quality-of-life plan, entitled "Growing a Healthy Community," to Mayor Richard M. Daley at a neighborhood assembly held on May 18, 2005. The comprehensive plan for community development was one of 14 plans presented that day, each the result of grassroots planning processes that together involved thousands of community residents and stakeholders. East Garfield Park plan identifies several critical issues and projects that will strengthen the neighborhood as a balanced and mixed-income community (http://www.enidnews.com). In conclusion, the award recipients of the Glendale Planning Department's first urban design achievement awards program were honored at an award reception on March 7, 2005. The Urban Design Awards recognized projects within the City of Glendale, which demonstrate great achievement in both architectural design and innovation, along with the latest achievements in livable and sustainable design. These projects, at completion, must have successfully integrated architectural excellence by incorporating site planning sensitivity, adherence to City's current Design Guidelines and incorporation of innovative solutions to achieve neighborhood compatibility, and revitalization of the urban environment (http://www.nbm.org).

Works Cited
Barron, Robert. Enid Park Board envisions fishing, boating in a recreational lake near city. April 28, 2006. May 2, 2006.
”Community Development Department (Economic Development, Planning, Zoning, GIS)”.Glendale’s Bright Future. November 29, 2005. April 30, 2006. “Delta Region Revitalization Project”. News Feature. October 12, 2005. April 29, 2006. a
Dixon, Jill. News Release. April 23, 2003. April 23 2006. . “Economic Redevelopment Authority (Urban Renewal)”. City of Glendale. May 1, 2006.
“Urban Settlement.” Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary, Eleventh Edition (2003). 21 April 2006.
Varnelis, Kazys. Los Angeles Forum for Architecture and Urban Design. 20 March, 2006. 03 May, 2006. .

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