3.1.5 – Los Angeles: Fledgling Incubation The narrative in Los Angeles is much more complex than the other cities covered by this investigation – reflecting the city’s geographic, cultural, and jurisdictional complexity; an enormous government apparatus (Sonenshein 2006); and a highly idiosyncratic political landscape. Despite a robust and diverse coalition of public and private agencies working in and around the streetscape, local leadership around Parklets and Pedestrian Plazas is, as of yet, somewhat more diffuse and loosely organized than initiatives observed in the other cities.
As with other cities profiled in this thesis, Los Angeles is currently
undergoing a renaissance of street life and culture, with amplified presence in the public consciousness.74 Department of Public Works Commissioner John Choi referred to the Parklet and Pedestrian Plaza experiments as “Symptomatic of [a pervasive] effort to try and rethink our urban space” (personal communication, interview 4/15/2012). Growing participation in ephemeral and temporary street celebrations evidence a newfound enthusiasm for public life and citizenship, setting the stage for more permanent forms of intervention and interaction in the urban fabric of Los Angeles.
Foremost among these energizing events is CicLAvia, a day-‐long celebration
which closes miles of Los Angeles streets to automobile traffic. CicLAvia began as a single event in October 2010 and since enjoyed ever-‐increasing attendance, popularity with city officials, and an expanding portfolio of sponsors. Organizers
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