2010 PRESERVATION AWARDS

SurveyLA Public Participation Program

Project Leads: Ken Bernstein, Janet Hansen, and Rita Moreno, City of Los Angeles Office of Historic Resources
MyHistoric LA Guide, Speakers Bureau Training: Historic Resources Group
Translation: Languages 4 You
Photo Tutorial: Schaf Photo
Website Design & Development: Urban Insight
Video Production: Full Vision Productions, LA City View Channel 35
Graphics: LA City Planning Graphics

How does a tiny government department make sure that its first-ever full survey of historic resources accurately reflects the multicultural heritage of one of the world’s largest and most diverse cities?

By getting creative and taking it to the people.

Cover of MyHistoricLA guide; courtesy OHR

The City of Los Angeles’ Office of Historic Resources (OHR) is coordinating SurveyLA, the first-ever citywide inventory of L.A.’s historic resources, spanning more than 465 square miles and 880,000 parcels. They have a very small staff to spearhead one of the most far-reaching historic preservation initiatives in the nation.

The project involves a range of participants and is generously supported by the J. Paul Getty Trust and the Getty Conservation Institute. Yet it had no clear path, or dedicated funding, to make sure the survey extended beyond architectural gems to include places with less visible, but equally valuable, social and cultural significance.

OHR responded by crafting a comprehensive, integrated approach to public education and participation that focused on developing multilingual materials and engaging traditionally underrepresented groups. Funded through creative partnerships and grants, the program includes:

SurveyLA video – Emmy-winning introduction to the survey in English or Spanish; airing on Channel 35 and distributed to community groups throughout the city

Multilingual brochures – all available in English or Spanish; some in Korean and Mandarin Chinese

MyHistoricLA guide – step-by-step instructions for organizing community activities that contribute to the survey, such as interviews, neighborhood walks, and photo collecting

Volunteer program and speakers bureau – process for leveraging the time and talent of more than 200 volunteers to help with research, writing, photography, field work, and office support, as well as 20 speakers trained to spread the word about the program citywide

SurveyLA website (surveyla.org) – background, updates, links to other resources, and a submission form for people to specify important places in their community

E-newsletter – quarterly updates to opinion leaders

Angelenos documenting their neighborhood as part of the SurveyLA Public Participation Program; photo courtesy OHR

This highly ambitious effort is a testament to the tenacity and resourcefulness of the Office of Historic Resources. This is the first initiative to engage communities in historic preservation in every corner of Los Angeles. It has helped residents feel invested in preservation, provided a model for other local governments, deepened public appreciation of L.A.’s diverse historic resources, and ensured the recognition of potentially overlooked sites that are important to our shared cultural heritage.

Learn More

SurveyLA website
Office of Historic Resources website