Sustainable Little Tokyo, A Cultural EcoDistrict (SLT) is a collaborative initiative for long-term sustainability for this historically Japanese American neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles. Our vision is to transform Little Tokyo into Los Angeles’ first cultural ecodistrict, where sustainability is conceptualized holistically as economically, environmentally, and culturally/historically. Therefo
re, when the sustainability of Little Tokyo is discussed, it is not simply looking through an environmental lens of ‘going green.’ Rather, it also encompasses the importance of maintaining and growing a thriving small business sector, and continuing our Japanese/Japanese American and Asian American culture, arts, traditions, and history. We define being a Cultural EcoDistrict as a neighborhood or district with a broad commitment to improve environmental performance, reduce long-term costs, and strengthen community resiliency, while maintaining our cultural and historic roots as a Japanese American enclave. In the face of ongoing changes and gentrification, as well as upcoming outside developments and transportation projects, in 2013 the Little Tokyo community initiated a community-driven visioning process to create a proactive vision of a future for the community, rooted in community need and the idea of sustainability. SLT is now guided by this community-generated vision, and is implemented through partnerships throughout the community, with partnering resource organizations, and partnering public sector agencies and elected offices. SLT is also guided by our participation in the EcoDistrict Target Cities 2-year pilot program – a Clinton Global Initiative national program. Through the committee structure of the Little Tokyo Community Council (LTCC), SLT pursues projects that achieve our goals of an engaged, educated, and active community, projects that incorporate artists and cultural producers whose works are integrated into the collective project, and projects that achieve our real estate, built environment, and environmental/energy efficient goals. While the original Sustainable Little Tokyo vision document focuses on the three parcels of public land that have development potential (with plans for innovative green infrastructure, green space, a mix of market-rate and affordable housing, and room for retail and office space), the overall scope of SLT encompasses the entire Little Tokyo neighborhood. This includes the need to create human-scaled development, to rebuild as a complete neighborhood, highlight affordable and senior housing as a priority, and developing an environment where smaller, independent businesses will thrive. SLT is now pursuing catalytic projects such as stormwater drainage, recycling grey water, and green retrofits for businesses, as well as ongoing community organizing efforts and outreach, and regular arts and cultural events. Partners:
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
Kizuna
Little Tokyo Community Council
Little Tokyo Service Center
Nisei Week
Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
Zenshuji Buddhist Temple
Resource Partners:
Enterprise Community Partners
Global Green
National Resource Defense Council
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Neighborworks
