The 2026 Site Planning studio at UCLA focused on one of Los Angeles’ most significant redevelopment opportunities: the future of the former Santa Monica Airport site and the adjacent Santa Monica Business Park. Over the course of the quarter, Luskin urban planning students explored how these interconnected sites could be reimagined to serve the evolving needs of the city, balancing housing, open space, mobility and economic uses.

The studio brought students into direct dialogue with key stakeholders shaping the future of the area. Community organizations such as the Great Park Coalition and Cloverfield Commons participated in reviews alongside representatives from the City of Santa Monica, Sasaki Associates—the planning team leading work on the airport site—and BXP, Inc., owner of the Business Park. This engagement allowed students to test ideas against real-world constraints and priorities while receiving feedback from those directly involved in the planning process.

Students were also supported by visiting practitioners Christopher Rhie and Midori Mizuhara, AICP, who contributed their expertise in urban planning and design throughout the quarter.

At the conclusion of the studio, students presented a wide range of proposals reflecting careful analysis and innovative design for the future of the sites. The work underscored the complexity of reimagining large-scale, post-airport redevelopment and highlighted the importance of collaborative planning processes that bring together public agencies, private developers and community voices.

Assistant Professor Minjee Kim, who led the 2026 Site Planning studio, emphasized the role of planners in shaping conversations about the future of cities. “Urban planners and designers have the power to energize and inform public debates about the future of our cities by showing us what is possible,” said Kim. “This Santa Monica Airport and Business Park redevelopment project offered the students an excellent training ground for becoming visionary city leaders.”