Latino Urbanism in Los Angeles - Essay Example

Roja James on Latino Urbanism in LA Roja, James (36) evaluates the impact made by the Latino community in their settlements, especially in transforming the areas into vibrant residential places. He categorizes his analysis into four societal pillars; mobility and encounters, entrepreneurship, public and religious life and recreation and open space. James depicts the innovation by the community when faced with a shortage of resources, a fact derived from the Latino community behavior. The community makes use of the little amenities at their disposal to create survival opportunities that are the region’s economic hub in a densely populated area, comprised of majorly Roman Catholic believers.

In this report, research into the Latino community is carried out in all thats considered as common ground by the community (Rojas 44). The research is done on the streets, abandoned train yards, residential home front yards and backyards, designated sacred sites, burial sites, café and shops among other social hubs. The Latino community makes use of all space outdoors, forcing the researcher to base the research on the outdoors. In conducting research on a social platform, James gathered most of the data via personal observation.

Since his report is derived from the behavior of the community, observing the community trends is the preferred data gathering technique. Although it is not indicated in the report, James interviewed some of the community members to get a perspective on their mode of living. James illustrates the improvisation, innovation and use the Latino community makes with the few resources they have. He introduces the personalization element adopted by the community in the absence of government support.

Works CitedRojas, James. “Latino Urbanism in Los Angeles: A model for urban improvisation andReinvention”. Insurgent Public Space: Guerrilla Urbanism and the Remaking OfContemporary Cities. Ed. Jeffrey Hou. New York: Taylor & Francis. 2010. Print. 36 – 44.