On Sept. 17, community activists gathered for a panel discussion about built environment, urban landscape and health. Park City L.A. explored how we can turn Los Angeles from a city of parking lots into a city of parks. It was inspired by the September 19 event Park[ing] Day LA, a grassroots effort that aims to show the need for more open urban space. Panelists and attendees of this Center Scene Public Program shared resources that help explain the issue and how to get involved.

• Park City L.A. vidcast - a recording of the September 17 event
  
• Publications from The California Endowment - reports and studies on asthma and obesity show the connection between illness and physical environments
  
• Healthy Eating, Active Communities - a statewide initiative funded by The California Endowment that aims to prevent obesity in low-income communities and communities of color by making healthy options easy options
  
• Urban and Environmental Policy Institute - a community-oriented research and advocacy organization based at Occidental College that works on issues of housing, transportation, land use, regional and community development, among others
  
• Local Government Commission - a nonprofit organization that provides technical assistance to local elected officials and community leaders who are working to create healthy, walkable and resource-efficient communities
  
• Urban Habitat - an education, research, advocacy and coalition-building organization that works to advance environmental, economic and social justice in the Bay Area
  
• The City Project - a public-education, coalition-building, research, and policy and advocacy organization that aims to promote human health and economic vitality through parks and recreation
  
• Neighborhood Land Trust - a nonprofit organization that facilitates the creation of community green and open space is Los Angeles' underserved communities
  
• Park[ing] Day L.A. - includes maps of where parks were set up as well as press coverage and information about the history of Park[ing] Day
  
• Urban Design Studio - a division of the City of Los Angeles Planning Department that incorporates urban design elements into city projects
  
• Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition - a nonprofit, membership-based organization working to build a better, more bike-able Los Angeles
  
• UCLA School of Public Affairs Urban Planning Department - one of the nation's top planning departments
  
• Fit City - watch the videos that won an international competition for young people designed to provoke thought and discussion about the impact urban environments have on health
  
• "Sidewalks Smooth for Well-Heeled" - a 2006 Los Angeles Times article about disparities in the level of sidewalk disrepair in low- and higher-income neighborhoods
  
• New Community Plan Program - learn more about nine community plans currently under review and how to get involved through meetings, questionnaires and general comments.
  
• Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond - resources and techniques for harvesting rainwater, which many communities are beginning to use in order to have a sustainable water source
  
• Jaime Lerner - information about a leader in sustainable cities
  
• Permaculture Principles - an introduction to the permaculture design system, which is based on ethics and principles that can be used to establish, design, manage and improve all efforts made by individuals, households and communities toward a sustainable future.

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