Reclaiming the Right of Way: A Toolkit for Creating and Implementing Parklets

The toolkit, a collaboration between UCLA’s Luskin Center, Lewis Center,
and the Institute of Transportation Studies, provides a guide for
creating “parklets”- small parks in urban areas from the conversion of
parking spots and other underutilized spaces for cars into places for
people. 

 Associate Dean of the Luskin School Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, UCLA Complete Streets Initiative Manager Madeline Brozen,
and UCLA Luskin Center Deputy Director Colleen Callahan authored the
toolkit on the heels of the Los Angeles City Council vote approving the
construction of a series of parklets. 

The toolkit is part of a three-phase effort, made possible by a
$75,000 grant from The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation. During
the second phase, the UCLA team in partnership with the Downtown Los
Angeles Neighborhood Council installed two active parklets in Downtown
that opened in early 2013.  The ongoing third phase is an evaluation of the parklets, conducted in collaboration with Parklet Studies. Data will be provided to the LA City Planning Department for reporting to City Council.

Awards: The Los Angeles chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) selected the toolkit to receive the 2013 Academic Award of Excellence.