JAMES ROJAS

URBANIST

A vendor plies bacon dogs on a side street. A family sells clothes from a fence that encircles their yard. A garage functions as informal dry goods shop — the sidewalk out front, a site of impromptu conversation. The ways in which Latin American immigrants use public space is something that motivates the work of urban planner Rojas. Raised in East L.A., Rojas has been a pioneer in the study of Latino Urbanism, the ways in which Latinos mold “hostile auto-centric streets” into “sensory-rich urban places.” These ideas are at the heart of his recent book, “Dream Play Build,” written with fellow planner John Kamp. They are also at the heart of planning workshops he leads with Kamp, which bring a sensory approach to what is generally a very dry process. His work has defined new areas of study. It’s also a reminder that Los Angeles is Latino not just in name but in the very character of its streets. — C.A.M.