For those who think the northern section of Westwood is turning
into a dump, one long-time resident wants help to find solutions
and clean it up.
UCLA Extension is offering a landscape architecture course
called “Landscapes of Greater Los Angeles,” which is
more like a group project than a class. Participants, with the help
of the Los Angeles City Planning Department, will look closely at
the Village’s many aesthetic and structural problems and find
solutions.
The course is being promoted by Shelley Taylor, a Village
resident for over 50 years and president of the North Village
Improvement Committee, a neighborhood advocacy group committed to
addressing “quality of life” issues and other problems
unique to a college town.
In particular, Taylor would like to see something done about the
“bulky items” and trash left on sidewalks, such as
discarded couches. Taylor also hopes to address other Village
issues, such as low parking availability and noise pollution.
The course begins today at 7 p.m., costs $470, and requires a
background in landscape architecture or a related field. But since
enrollment at present is low, the instructor, David
Solaiman-Tehrani of the planning department, might be willing to
make exceptions for those with a high interest in and commitment to
participation.
“It’s a rather involved course,”
Solaiman-Tehrani said.
Participants will examine a host of issues related to urban
design, ranging from land use and density issues to vehicular and
pedestrian traffic problems.
The course will also focus on problems unique to the north
Village, such as trash cans left in streets which limit parking,
and various issues directly involving the student
population’s impact on quality of life in the area.
Solaiman-Tehrani said he believes the study will last three
quarters, as the first quarter will likely be devoted to research.
Subsequent quarters will be devoted to design solutions,
coordination with various city agencies and feedback from the
public.
When the study is completed, the findings produced will be
published and submitted to the city council and shared with other
interested parties. If approved, the plan will then go through the
planning department and other city agencies for implementation.
Taylor would like to see UCLA students get interested in the
course and more interested in the maintenance of their neighborhood
““ even if they only see themselves as temporary
residents.
“People say the neighborhood looks trashy or tired,”
Taylor said.
But Taylor maintains she doesn’t want to point fingers at
students but rather have them involved in a dialogue.
“We need young minds who can think outside the box,”
Taylor said, adding that, “It’s easy to turn something
into a bitchfest session.”
For the past couple of years, Taylor has worked with UCLA and
the city of Los Angeles in order to get more attention to the
neglected north Village.
Some UCLA students are sympathetic to Taylor’s cause.
“For the amount of money that you pay to live there you
expect to live somewhere nice, but the area is just
horrible,” said Niyosha Vazirzadeh, a fourth-year psychology
student.
Alexis Slafer, program director of the Landscape Architecture
Program, said she would discuss lowering the course fee for UCLA
students interested in participating.
“Landscapes of Greater Los Angeles” meets Tuesdays
at 7 p.m. in Math Sciences 3915A.