The People's Plan for Equitable Development in South Los Angeles

About the People's Plan for Equitable Development in South Los Angeles 
The City of Los Angeles revised existing community plans for South Los Angeles in 2017. The South Los Angeles and Southeast Los Angeles Community Plans are two of 35 community plans which make up the Land Use Element of the City’s General Plan. The Land Use Element is one of seven state-mandated elements of the General Plan.  

Community Plans provide a long-term vision for the diverse neighborhoods of the City, proposing an arrangement of land uses, streets, and services believed to encourage economic vitality, social and physical well-being, and general health, safety, welfare, and convenience for the people who live, work, and recreate in these areas.

The United Neighbors in Defense Against Displacement (UNIDAD) coalition is the product of a community collaboration formed to prevent the displacement of residents in South Central Los Angeles and improve the health and economic well-being of low-income communities of color through responsible development. The UNIDAD Coalition, in partnership with residents, business owners, and other community-based organizations, spent a decade drafting recommendations for the Community Plan, which put people at the forefront. The final recommendations are called “The People's Plan for Equitable Development in South Los Angeles.”

Impact on frontline communities
The People's Plan calls for city leaders to create policies that would protect South Los Angeles residents and ensure they have equitable access to opportunities such as: 

• affordable and healthy housing 
• economic development and employment opportunities 
• environmental and health protections 

City officials used recommendations and languages from the People’s Plan in the official Community Plan, which the Planning Commission approved. Read about the victories and the push for more in this article.

Image Source: UNIDAD Coalition