* A MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE LOS ANGELES *
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james rojas >
A Model for Sustainable Los Angeles will envision LA as a more environmentally
sustainable city. The plan for this model will be based on the 1930's Olmstead
Parks Plan and the 1970's Centers Concept for LA, where urban activities were
clustered in certain areas surrounded by potential open space connected by rapid
public transit. The model building will be an interactive process where participants
will be given piece of land to develop as they saw fit and built buildings and/or
laid out their landscapes. As participants create spaces they will develop narratives
about what they are creating. However, all developments are temporary so the
urban landscape will be constantly changing with every new idea, much like any
urban environment. At the end of the exhibition "A Model for a Sustainable
Los Angles" should be a completely built out modal of what LA could and
should be like if it is to incorporate sustainable practices. This model will
allow participants and viewers a chance to see the urban landscape as whole
art form. James Rojas and a team of environmentalists, architects, urban planners
and landscape architects will be directing the model building process. The model
will be built on a table 3' 4" by 16'. The structures will be made from
small-recycled objects such as pieces of wood, jewelry, sample shampoo bottles,
incomplete games, nuts and bolts and an assortment of found objects. Participants
can also bring their own objects as well.
> bios >
James Rojas is one of the few experts who examine US Latino cultural influences on urban design. He holds a Master of City Planning and a Master of Science of Architecture Studies from MIT. His thesis on the Latino built environment has been cited in the LA Times, New York Times and in numerous magazines and books. Mr. Rojas has written extensively on this subject. For the past 10 years James has lectured extensively at universities, colleges, conferences, high schools, and community meetings on the impact of Latinos on land use and transportation. His research has lead to the founding of the Latino Urban Forum, which is a volunteer grassroots organization of over 100 professional architects, urban planners, and community activist who are interested in improving the built environment through organizing, advocacy and policy. LUF has been involved in open space projects, cultural planning and transportation. LUF organized residents in East Los Angeles to help create the Evergreen Cemetery Jogging Path, help to save the LA Urban Garden in South Central, organized to create the Cornfields and is currently organizing residents in Northeast Los Angeles to protect hillsides and create more open space. In addition LUF has created tours of Nativity Scenes in East Los Angeles. James Rojas was in for Peace Corps for 3 years in Eastern Europe where he organized environmental groups for sustainable transportation.
Currently, Mr. Rojas is a project manager for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Central Area Team. He works on transportation enhancements projects and oversees millions of dollars of urban design, bike and pedestrian projects for Los Angeles County, and is part of the Eastside Rail Community Linkages Project. He is currently a board member of Livable Places and the East L.A. Community Arts and Mural Program. James Rojas has been building model cites since he was a child. These models have evolved into elaborate urban miniature landscapes. He has displayed these models before at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Boston Redevelopment Authority has even purchased his models for their model room.
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