Theses Master's

Examining the Role of Community Participation in the Expansion of the Los Angeles Metro Gold Line

Halvey, Eryn Michelle

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) presents a unique opportunity to align the interests of developers, planners, and community members in supporting economic revitalization and in tackling urban congestion and environmental issues. Despite these benefits, TOD policies continue to be met with vigorous resistance from suburban homeowners who seek to preserve the character of their neighborhoods. These residents are frequently classified as NIMBYs, an acronym for “not in my backyard.” This opposition to new housing is a pressing policy concern as constraining a city’s supply of housing contributes to rent increases, the reduction of economic productivity, environmental harm, and the exacerbation of spatial inequalities.

This thesis examines how NIMBYism has affected the production and spatial distribution of fair housing in Los Angeles by identifying the predominant concerns raised by community members along the Gold Line’s extension from Azusa to Montclair. Although the benefits of TOD are well understood, less can be found in current literature addressing the role of community participation in the implementation of such policies. This thesis looks at how differences in the socio-political dynamics at work surrounding the Gold Line impact station development and the megaproject’s planning process. In doing so, this thesis contributes to conversations regarding the future of transit, urban planning, and housing policy in Los Angeles.

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More About This Work

Academic Units
Urban Planning
Thesis Advisors
Slater, Thomas S. J.
Baird-Zars, Bernadette Virginia
Degree
M.S., Columbia University
Published Here
January 10, 2023