Talking Headways Podcast: The City Is a Painting You Walk Into
This week I'm joined by James Rojas of Place It! to talk about art in planning and Latino urbanism. James is an award-winning planner and a native Angeleno, and he tells us about how growing up in East LA and visiting his grandmother’s house shaped the way he thinks about urban spaces and design.
By
Jeff Wood
4:00 PM EDT on April 21, 2016
This week I’m joined by James Rojas of Place It! to talk about art in planning and Latino urbanism. James is an award-winning planner and a native Angeleno, and he tells us about how growing up in East LA and visiting his grandmother’s house shaped the way he thinks about urban spaces and design.
Tune in and hear James discuss the importance of plazas to Latino culture and the history behind them, how people understand place, and why the public planning process works better when you start by tapping into people’s childhoods rather than treating it purely as a problem solving exercise. Enjoy!
More from Streetsblog New York City
Brooklyn Crash Victim’s EMT Twin Sister Calls Out City, DSNY for Reckless Driving
"The autopsy report says it was from blunt force trauma. Clearly, that's 1,000s of pounds of pressure that hit her. So how fast were you turning?"
October 30, 2026
Dangerous Drivers At ‘Trunk-Or-Treat’ Show How Cars Are A Horror For Kids All Year Long
Halloween is scary fun for kids — the other 364 days of the year are just scary. And that's why Trunk-or-Treat isn't a half-bad idea!
October 30, 2026
An Interview with the Biggest Cycling Club in New York City
Streetsblog chatted with five members of the New York Cycle Club about Central Park.
October 30, 2026
Our Central Park Wishlist: Perimeter and Transverse Bike Lanes, Fewer Cars and — Yes — Some Speed Limits
What is to be done in the city's most-famous park? We offer some concrete ideas.
October 30, 2026
Friday’s Headlines: Streetsfilms Meets the War on Cars Edition
Tickets are still on sale to see the War on Cars Podcast live and Clarence Eckerson's "Close Encounters of the 34th Avenue Kind" in one night. Plus the news.
October 30, 2026