Comments on: L.A.’s TOD Fiction http://adamchristian.us/2009/10/06/la-tod-fiction/ Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:38:10 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: DJB http://adamchristian.us/2009/10/06/la-tod-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-56 DJB Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:23:57 +0000 http://adamchristian.us/?p=109#comment-56 I don't think Solair is as grim as all that. The walkability in the area is excellent. It begins with the two stories of retail on the ground level (just now beginning to be occupied) and extends along Western, 6th, and Wilshire. I wish there were less parking too, but at least it's arranged in a land-saving format. The point of density and mixing land uses with regard to transportation is three fold: 1) Bringing more within walking and biking distance 2) Adding the density to support frequent transit 3) Shortening driving distances on average This is LA. People still want to drive, because driving is still the mode we're set up for. Still, despite its flaws, I think Solair is a big step in the right direction (although TODs don't have to be so tall to work). We'll see the wisdom of places like Solair when the next oil shock hits. I don’t think Solair is as grim as all that. The walkability in the area is excellent. It begins with the two stories of retail on the ground level (just now beginning to be occupied) and extends along Western, 6th, and Wilshire. I wish there were less parking too, but at least it’s arranged in a land-saving format.

The point of density and mixing land uses with regard to transportation is three fold:
1) Bringing more within walking and biking distance
2) Adding the density to support frequent transit
3) Shortening driving distances on average

This is LA. People still want to drive, because driving is still the mode we’re set up for. Still, despite its flaws, I think Solair is a big step in the right direction (although TODs don’t have to be so tall to work). We’ll see the wisdom of places like Solair when the next oil shock hits.

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