Fault Lines and Urban Development in Los Angeles

[Hannah Wolfers]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/01/us/the-troubles-of-building-where-faults-collide.html?ref=us&_r=0

An article in the New York Times discusses one of the predominant issues faced with urban development in Los Angeles. As the Millennium towers project has been suspended, the issue of construction near earthquake faults has been ignited once again. As city planners determine which buildings should be built, they have to take into account the issues of constructing new buildings and protecting old buildings in a city filled with fault lines. The article states that up to 1,500 concrete buildings built before 1975  are vulnerable to collapse under an earthquake.

Many question whether holding development in these areas is beneficial to the city as a whole. City Council member Mitch O’Farrell was quoted: “The hard question is: Do we halt all development in Hollywood? Do we wait for that 11,000 year earthquake? We are going to go down a very slippery slope if we halt all construction for an earthquake fault that hasn’t been defined.”

Although some disagree, many believe this is ultimately what is safe for Los Angeles. Many complain that these issues are only addressed after a detrimental earthquake, and they are thankful these conversations are happening now, rather than later. Los Angeles has long been criticized for it’s failure to urban plan according to these issues.

The issue these builders are encountering is the earthquake safety law that was passed after the San Fernando Valley earthquake in 1971. This law states that a building can not fall within 50 feet of a fault line. What makes this difficult is the lack of state budgeting to complete the map of fault lines.

This problem is determining the urban development of Los Angeles. The city developers not only have to consider location due to culture, or a city’s ability to prosper, but they also have to determine safety. This is an additional stress to urban planners. It hinders their creative ability, and limits their options. Los Angeles truly must develop a strategy to complete the maps of fault lines, so the development of their city may continue. Until these steps are taken, LA will be at a developmental halt. 

[Lauren Milam]

     This sounds frightening due to the fact that I am currently considering moving to LA this summer. I am guessing that the buildings were made without the knowledge that they could withstand the power of an earthquake? Well, I don't know anything about engineering; however, if building new buildings is going to put more people in danger, I don't think knowingly putting people in danger would be the place of anyone. Those builders should pack their things and leave if that is the case.

     The only way to address the problem is not asking whether an earthquake is coming soon or not because what if it does? People's lives are in danger and no one has the right to knowingly put someone in danger of losing their life just because they are greedy. For everyone understands that taking another person's life is wrong and in 1 Timothy warns of greed in 6:10 saying, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."