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Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a unique city that has been planned in many different stages. It has a rich history. This website is designed to show the construction of Los Angeles through the lens of key events in the city's past. Los Angeles has a diverse grouping of people, landscapes and ideologies. The significant events that helped to shape Los Angeles began in the 1840s and continue to today.
There are six major events and developments that this site highlights as extremely important for shaping Los Angeles.
The early history of Los Angeles is discussed in detail. This section draws attention to the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which made California part of the United States and the cementing of the Los Angeles River, which changed the physical shape of the city by creating new boundaries. Both of these projects were run from the top-down, meaning that the federal, local and state governments had control of the city’s destiny and design. The governmental institutions worked in coalition with local business interests to shape early Los Angeles.
The next major event was the real estate boom which was very pro-growth and widespread. This was also run from the top-down in terms of who could get housing where and who could receive loans. During this time the Hollywood movie industry also skyrocketed and certainly put LA on the map.
Another factor that greatly affected that physical urban landscape of Los Angeles is related to the early transportation infrastructure of the Pacific Electric rail system that later became the basis for highway infrastructure that continues to present day. These routes contributed significantly to the city-region’s notorious sprawl. The development of the freeways was run from the top-down, often even using eminent domain to remove people from their homes. In addition to transportation by automobile and freeways, there are several mass public transportation elements that make up the greater Los Angeles metropolitan region including rail transit, bus rapid transit, and commuter rail.
There are six major events and developments that this site highlights as extremely important for shaping Los Angeles.
The early history of Los Angeles is discussed in detail. This section draws attention to the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which made California part of the United States and the cementing of the Los Angeles River, which changed the physical shape of the city by creating new boundaries. Both of these projects were run from the top-down, meaning that the federal, local and state governments had control of the city’s destiny and design. The governmental institutions worked in coalition with local business interests to shape early Los Angeles.
The next major event was the real estate boom which was very pro-growth and widespread. This was also run from the top-down in terms of who could get housing where and who could receive loans. During this time the Hollywood movie industry also skyrocketed and certainly put LA on the map.
Another factor that greatly affected that physical urban landscape of Los Angeles is related to the early transportation infrastructure of the Pacific Electric rail system that later became the basis for highway infrastructure that continues to present day. These routes contributed significantly to the city-region’s notorious sprawl. The development of the freeways was run from the top-down, often even using eminent domain to remove people from their homes. In addition to transportation by automobile and freeways, there are several mass public transportation elements that make up the greater Los Angeles metropolitan region including rail transit, bus rapid transit, and commuter rail.
The Civil Rights periods and the Watts riots were occurrences that were the bottom (citizens of LA) reacting against the top (government policies, laws and corruption). This was a very bottom-up, grassroots style movement. The riots and movements were a symptom of the deeply rooted segregation that took place in LA as well as in urban cores across the nation.
The city was also physically formed through the processes of industrialism, de-industrialism and internationalization of industry. During the start of the twentieth century industry was so big some cities were not even named (they were simply called the City of Industry and City of Commerce). This was a pro-growth process; it made the city boom economically and expand in physical size.
Currently there are many elements of LA that need to be examined in detail. For example, the city must provide services such as low-income housing, public transportation, homeless shelters and more. These issues are usually addressed by local governments and the regional planning committee. There are always new issues to be addressed which can be viewed in this sites current events section.
The city was also physically formed through the processes of industrialism, de-industrialism and internationalization of industry. During the start of the twentieth century industry was so big some cities were not even named (they were simply called the City of Industry and City of Commerce). This was a pro-growth process; it made the city boom economically and expand in physical size.
Currently there are many elements of LA that need to be examined in detail. For example, the city must provide services such as low-income housing, public transportation, homeless shelters and more. These issues are usually addressed by local governments and the regional planning committee. There are always new issues to be addressed which can be viewed in this sites current events section.
Los Angeles Timeline
1848: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed. Los Angeles and the rest of California becomes part of the United States. This ends the Mexican American war.
1880s: The first railroad in LA is completed. This helps to connect the growing city to the rest of the nation.
1907: Plans for cementing the LA River are developed. This action is taken to channel the river and prevent future flooding.
1920s: Second real estate boom in LA.
1930s: The first Great Migration of African Americans
1945: WWII ends. The second Great Migration of African Americans begins.
1950s: Highway infrastructure is instituted and funded by the federal government.
1965: Watts Riots
1960s-80s: Deindustrialization occurs and industry becomes internationalized.
1992: Urban riots
1993: The Los Angeles County Transportation Authority (Metro) is created to provide mass transit services including Metro Rail and Metro Transitway
1880s: The first railroad in LA is completed. This helps to connect the growing city to the rest of the nation.
1907: Plans for cementing the LA River are developed. This action is taken to channel the river and prevent future flooding.
1920s: Second real estate boom in LA.
1930s: The first Great Migration of African Americans
1945: WWII ends. The second Great Migration of African Americans begins.
1950s: Highway infrastructure is instituted and funded by the federal government.
1965: Watts Riots
1960s-80s: Deindustrialization occurs and industry becomes internationalized.
1992: Urban riots
1993: The Los Angeles County Transportation Authority (Metro) is created to provide mass transit services including Metro Rail and Metro Transitway