October Newsletter

Announcing a New

APA Los Angeles Website!

A New Way to Engage with our Section

APA Los Angeles is excited to launch a new and improved Section website. The website will be a hub for the latest programs, educational opportunities, networking events, job postings, professional resources, engagement features, and more.

Please look for further updates and a continued evolution of the APA Los Angeles brand as we move into the new year!

APA LOS ANGELES WEBSITE

APA Los Angeles Proudly Presents:

Sidewalk Justice

Join us for a Screening of "Sidewalk Justice," a Story of the History and Impact of Los Angeles' Street Vendors

Experience the untold story of the Los Angeles Street Vendor Campaign! Join us for an exclusive screening of Sidewalk Justice, a powerful new film celebrating the incredible history and enduring impact of LA's street vendors. Hear directly from vendors working to create a Los Angeles for all and discover the inspiring movement behind the City's new program to support these vital entrepreneurs. The evening will conclude with a live Q&A featuring the film's writer, producer, and APA Los Angeles Section Director, Roderick D. Hall.

Location: California Community Foundation

717 W Temple Street

Los Angeles, CA 90012

5-minute walk from the Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill Station

Date: Thursday, October 22nd, 2026

Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm

Cost: Free to attend, but please RSVP below

A YEP Happy Hour Event Will Take Place Immediately Following the Screening

RSVP FOR SIDEWALK JUSTICE SCREENING

Join the APA Los Angeles Board of Directors or a Committee in 2027!

Nominations Open Monday, October 5, 2026 through

Friday, October 30, 2026

Participating in APA Los Angeles as a member of our Board of Directors or its committees is a great way to get involved in the local planning community, network with other planning professionals, and give back to the profession. We hope you will consider contributing your time and talents to one of APA’s largest, most active sections nationwide!

The Los Angeles Section of the American Planning Association is one of eight local sections of APA’s California Chapter, with over a thousand members in Los Angeles County. APA Los Angeles helps its members share knowledge, advance their careers, and guide change in both the profession and our

communities.

There are three ways to get involved:

Elected (executive) positions - two-year terms (Section Director is a four-year term)
Appointed positions - one-year terms
Committee members - one-year commitment requested

All Board and committee members are expected to:

Attend one meeting per month - the Board meets on 3rd Wednesdays of odd months and committees meet in even months (dates subject to change)
Spend additional time as needed to fulfill their duties, which vary by position
Live and/or work in Los Angeles County
Be APA members, or become members before their terms begin (free or discounted first- time, Chapter-only, and student memberships are available)

To nominate yourself for a Board position or volunteer for a committee, please fill out the Nomination Form.

Candidates for elected or appointed positions should include a statement of interest not to exceed 500 words for elected positions and 250 words for appointed positions.

Key Milestones:

10/30: Deadline for Nominations
11/02-11/23: Online voting open
12/16: Board certification of election results
12/16-12/26: Candidates and appointees notified
12/30: 2025 Board announced!

Should you have any questions regarding the positions or the selection process, please contact

Elenna Salcido, Past Director

pastdirector@apalosangeles.org

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

READ POSITION DESCRIPTIONS IN OUR BYLAWS

YEP Happy Hour on October 22nd

Join APA Young and Emerging Planners (YEP) for a Happy Hour to Network and Mingle with Local Planners!

Location: Highland Park Brewery

1220 N Spring Street

Los Angeles, CA 90802

6-minute walk from the Chinatown Station

Date: Thursday, October 22nd, 2026

Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm (updated start time)

Cost: Free to attend, no RSVP required

Did you Attend the 2026 California Conference in Los Angeles?

We Want to Hear from you!

We Want to Report on Your 2026 Conference Experiences

To build on the momentum from our successful Statewide conference, the APA Los Angeles Communications Committee is requesting input from those who attended. Tells us what excited you most about the Conference, submit photos and videos, and provide us with quotes and copy. We are in the process of preparing a post-conference recap that will be sent to membership and appreciate your support of this crowd-sourced reporting. Please access the 5-minute survey below.

Thank you!

2026 STATEWIDE CONFERENCE INSIGHTS

Do You Have Recent Experience in the

San Gabriel Valley?

Antioch University is Looking for Volunteers to Share their Experiences

San Gabriel Valley-based researcher Sarah Murray is looking for volunteers for 45-60 minute interviews about housing, extreme heat, and planning in the SGV. This research builds on a regional survey conducted during LA Climate Week in April.

Planning Experience May include municipal or county work, consulting, nonprofit work, or other professional, volunteer, or community-based roles involving a planning function. Your job title does not need to say "planner."

Interested? Complete the 1-minute interest form below.

For questions, contact Sarah at smurray2@antioch.edu

SGV HOUSING AND HEAT INTERVIEW INTEREST FORM

APA LA Summer Speaker Series Recap

Thank you for Joining Us this Summer for our

Exciting Summer Speaker Series!

Over the Summer, the APA LA Programs Committee organized three successful virtual and in-person events to foster meaningful engagement around key issues affecting our profession. These events included:

Pride, Identity, and Impact in Planning: a virtual panel discussed the role LGBTQ+ professionals have in shaping our communities, including personal stories, professional journeys, and community impact. The team focused on planning as a tool for equity, creativity, and systems change.

Cultural Planning and Legacy in Thai Town: a walking tour of Los Angeles' thriving Thai Town cultural district led by planner and community organizer Chancee Martorell, founder and director of the Thai Community Development Center. Over 20 APA LA members joined the tour to learn about culturally-forward development projects, restaurants, placemaking improvements, and successful community development and engagement strategies that have revitalized East Hollywood.

City of Angels: Celebrating the Beauty and Resilience of Los Angeles: a virtual panel of climate practitioners from around Los Angeles convened to discuss how our region is adapting to climate challenges, including innovative planning strategies and multi-benefit capital improvement projects. The discussion centered on how these investments advance equity in the Los Angeles' most underserved communities.

A special thanks to our distinguished panelists and event hosts, and to the Programs committee for their exceptional work to organize and deliver these events for our membership!

To view photos from these events, please visit our website:

SUMMER SPEAKER SERIES RECAP PHOTOS