Rendering of the Station Square Transit Village in Monrovia. Image via Visiting Gabriel Valley

The Urban Land Institute, a national organization that looks at Transit Oriented Development, has stepped up its working in Los Angeles recently.  In addition to releasing reports on the state of T.O.D. in the city, they’ve also sponsored workshops and discussions on some particular developments.  Streetsblog and the ULI don’t always agree, (for example: they proposed more car parking as a cure for the problems with the Blue Line Slausson Station area), but there’s no doubting the group’s reach and expertise.

Tomorrow, they are sponsoring an all-day "summit" on the state of Transit Oriented Development in Los Angeles in the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel.  They’re Technical Assistance Panels will be providing reviews and suggestions for four prominent T.O.D. projects in the county.  Joining Slausson Station will be the Green Line Vermont Station, Monrovia’s Station Square Transit Village, and Jordan Downs.

They’ve also got a power-house lineup, headlined by Senator Barbara Boxer, and are promising some major announcements.  Regardless of your views on density, housing and urban growth; the reality is that the next phase of growth for Los Angeles is going to be around our transit nodes.  Whether we develop in a smart way, following the "transit oriented development" model or something worse, could determine what kind of Los Angeles we leave to our children.  If you’re interested in attending, check out their website.  But don’t worry, Streetsblog will have full coverage on Monday.