Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Talking Headways Podcast

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.

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!

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

City Council to Bring Back Year-Round Outdoor Dining After Adams-Era Decimation

New Council Speaker Julie Menin wants to scrap Adams-era rules that shrunk the program to just 400 approved locations from a pandemic era high of 8,000.

February 4, 2026

Meet Steve Fulop, Corporate New York’s New Mouthpiece

Streetsblog sat down with former Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop last week to discuss his new role at the Partnership for New York City.

February 4, 2026

Promising E-Bike Subsidy Pilot Is Denied Funding By State Agency

New York City's first e-bike subsidy program is stalled after not receiving state funding for implementation.

February 4, 2026

Wednesday’s Headlines: Nothingburger From The Albany Sausage Grinder Edition

OK, so the transportation hearing was a bust, but two groups questioned the governor's car insurance proposal, so that's a start. Plus other news.

February 4, 2026

Cyclists in Criminal Court Say Mamdani’s Bike Crackdown is a ‘Waste of Time’

The hearings reveal that the mayor's promise to end criminal summonsing against cyclists has not been kept.

February 3, 2026

‘Lowballing Victims’: Crash Survivors Furious At Hochul’s Car Insurance Proposal

Crash victims and a key state lawmaker are not yet sold on Hochul's car insurance scheme, and hope that the state listens.

February 3, 2026
See all posts