Suisman discusses New Latino Urbanism at Cal State LA

Formed by Suisman’s fifteen years research on Mexican, Latin American urbanism; Los Angeles area a lab for combining tradition and innovation.

Doug Suisman joined Landscape Architect Mia Lehrer to discuss design directions for “Latino New Urbanism” at a well attended conference on the campus of Cal State Los Angeles, organized by the Transportation and Land Use Coaltion. Suisman spoke of his many years of studying urban form and public spaces in Mexico, and his hopes that aspects of Latin America’s urban vitality could be applied in Los Angeles.

Suisman suggested that the “New Urbanism” has derived primarily from Anglo prototypes, and that instead of focusing on a Latino version of New Urbanism, Los Angeles would do well to focus on a new version of Latino Urbanism, the rich tradition of plazas, parks and streets which can be found in cities from Santiago de Chile to Guadalajara.

“Plaza, Parque, Calle” article by Doug Suisman.