Delirious LA

work and writings in urbanism by Alan A Loomis

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Category Archives: Urban Policy

The Urban Policy courses investigate the relationship between architecture and the politics behind urban development. Zoning Codes, Ordinances, Legislation, Financial Incentives and other policies enacted by planners, bureaucrats, politicians and bankers often have specific – sometimes very intentional – architectural outcomes. These outcomes may be a preference for unique building types, environmental performance standards, or community benefits. To explore the connection between urban policy and architectural form, students meet and network with architects, developers, and planners who engage their work in a thoughtful and critical manner, but generally do not participate in academic settings. Building upon this off-campus experience, the course is field trip intensive, with visits to construction sites, built projects and professional offices. Students ultimately produce a case study of a specific architectural project, using it to “unpack” or “reverse engineer” the urban policies that produced or influenced that project. By understanding the urban policy-making world, through this course, students are encouraged to participate in city design as “Civic Architects.” Specific topics vary by semester.

Affordable Housing Now

August 19, 2016by Alan Loomis 1 Comment

This course surveyed affordable housing programs and projects around Southern California, as a means of illustrating how certain urban policies and financing tools can result in very specific architectural outcomes.

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Teaching, Urban Policy

The City of Gardens Revisited

August 20, 2015by Alan Loomis 1 Comment

This course will illustrate how certain urban policy goals and regulations can result in very specific architectural outcomes, by investigating Pasadena’s pioneering “City of Gardens Ordinance.”

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Teaching, Urban Policy

Small Lots in Glendale

December 20, 2014by Alan Loomis 1 Comment

This course “field tested” Glendale’s draft Small Lot Ordinance through a series of investigative operations, developer roundtables, field trips and research.

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Teaching, Urban Policy

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Revisiting some of my essays on shopping centers and the role of retail in the City this Black Friday. "The Americana at Brand" written for the Society of Architectural Historians Archipedia, 2018. Link in Bio.
Revisiting some of my essays on shopping centers and the role of retail in the City this Black Friday. "Victoria Gardens" written for the Congress for New Urbanism, 2005. Link in Bio.
Revisiting some of my essays on shopping centers and the role of retail in the City this Black Friday. "The Once and Future Mall" written for the Los Angeles Forum for Architecture and Urban Design, 2004. Link in Bio.

Associations / Memberships

  • American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
  • APA Los Angeles
  • Congress for New Urbanism
  • LA Forum for Architecture and Urban Design
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