California State University, Northridge 4

The project assumes sustainability as an artifact of culture, with storytelling, and story-listening, as essential to that. Hence, the project uses sophisticated StoryMap technology to begin a multi-year effort to document the Valley’s and, more broadly, LA’s deep geography – from geographic, economic, and social data to oral histories and stories of every kind that serve as the building blocks of place – with place the foundation of resilience. The portrait that emerges is deeply sophisticated in its range and multi-layering, which is essential for nurturing ambitions ranging from the restoration of burned-out neighborhoods to constructing a more water-wise future, and more. At its heart, the project aims to foster connectivity across LA neighborhoods through inclusive placemaking, with storytelling part of the cultural infrastructure needed to support a more sustainable region. This first project prototypes a larger effort in partnership with others, the eventual aim of which is a multi-layered “map” of the greater Los Angeles region that pulls together the broad range of data and stories needed to support the County’s sustainability goals.

Faculty Lead:
Sheila Steinberg

Students:
Em Richter, Sean Martinez, Pam Pocaro, Jen Yu Li, Caroline Baumann, Analisa Cassidy, Mindy Collins, Madison Elowitt, Ashley Guillen, Carlos Marin, Nurrdin Mohammed, Julie Quintero, Angelica Sabinay, Rebecca Thompson, Valerie Washborn

Collaborating Partner:
Siobahn Burke of 99 Neighborhoods

Aligned LA County Sustainability Plan Goals:
Goal 1: Resilient and healthy community environments where residents thrive in place. Goal 4: A prosperous LA County that provides opportunities for all residents and businesses and supports the transition to a green economy. Goal 6: Accessible parks, beaches, recreational waters, public lands, and public spaces that create opportunities for respite, recreation ecological discovery and cultural activities. Goal 7: A fossil fuel-free LA County. Goal 8: A convenient, safe, clean and affordable transportation systems that enhances mobility while reducing car dependency.

Premiere Segment

Story map #1

Story map #2

Story map #3