LA - Post Modern Western City

• What makes LA a Postmodern Western city?


  • The city no longer has a regular pattern
  • The post modern global metropolis is physically and socially fragmented
  • edge cities are emerging as an attempt to re-centralise the city
  • characteristics of edge cities are varied from industrial, commercial, relatively poor and ethnic minoritiees
  • 24 million people
• Problems of LA - Decentralisation


  The significance of the CBD has been reduced, causing increased decentralisation and the formation of multiple nuclei models to arise. This means that less people from different suburbs are going to mix which could create a wealth divide and cause gentrification in the places where big employers have moved to.
• Problems of LA - urban sprawl and environmental issues 


  The spread of the city has led to the wide use of automobiles as the main use of transportation. This increases the amount of traffic congestion and overall pollution of the city. 10 million car owners create smog and the location of LA in a basin means that pollution becomes trapped above the city. Only 4% of people use public transport.
• Problems of LA - Waste 


  24 million people produce around 50,000 tonnes of waste per day
• Problems of LA - Suburban Sprawl 


  Arrival of transport links such as motorways means that people can live far away from the city but still commute there for work. This creates problems of congestion and the development of rural land.
• Problems of LA - Housing 


  the increase in rural to urban migration means there there is a severe lack of housing and therefore pressure on them. Average house price in LA = $998,000 Average USA = $495,100
• Problems in LA - Circular city 


  industries have moved out of the centre of the city due to cheaper premises and wages, with te centre being filled by TNS headquarters.
• How can LA become more sustainable?


  The progressive Los Angeles Network (PLAN) proposes an agenda for sustainable living which is a 21 point plan which includes

  • providing community benefits such as childcare and affordable housing
  • promoting clean fuel vehicles and green energy
  • ensuring developers build more affordable housing in all residential developments
  • improving public transport
  • promote smarter growth (preventing gentrification)