LA River Urban Agriculture Green Infrastructure Plan
Rather than introducing a wholly new neighborhood or singular “agriculture hub,” the proposal takes a context-driven approach.
Perkins&Will, LA River integrated urban agriculture, Los Angeles, CA.
At-A-Glance
Client:
River LA
Completion Date:
2015
Scale:
660 Acres
Location:
Los Angeles, CA
Growing System:
Soil based urban agriculture, insect farming, beekeeping, aquaculture and fungiculture
The project reimagines the 660-acre Cornfield Arroyo Seco Specific Plan (CASP) area not as a single transformation, but as a layered strategy that builds upon existing land use, infrastructure, and food-related operations.
The Ripple Effect
By leveraging underutilized parcels, existing food businesses, public infrastructure, and evolving policy to enhance food access, stimulate local economies, and support neighborhood resilience, this plan broadens the definition of urban agriculture to include not only cultivation, but also food processing and distribution. This expanded scope supports workforce training, job creation, and reuse of existing buildings—positioning the CASP as a district of opportunity for both public and private investment.
Holistic Change
The strategy includes both district-wide and site-specific interventions. District-wide recommendations strengthen the public realm with edible landscapes, streetscape infrastructure, and multi-functional green networks that tie the area back into the broader urban fabric of Los Angeles. Meanwhile, four identified site-specific nodes serve as catalytic anchors—multi-block opportunity zones where urban agriculture clusters are supported by community amenities like bike hubs, shared parking, and free Wi-Fi.
By clustering new enterprises such as aquaculture, beekeeping, and indoor farming near transit and existing food networks, the plan offers scalable, replicable models of regenerative food systems. These systems are designed to work across rooftops, vacant parcels, and publicly owned land, linking grassroots efforts with city-scale impact.
Perkins&Will, LA River Green Infrastructure Master Plan, Los Angeles, CA.