Los Angeles has one of the deadest downtowns in the world, according to a new survey
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Los Angeles has one of the deadest downtowns in the world, according to a new survey.Out of 75 of the top cities around the world, L.A.ranked among the lowest for vibrancy in Gensler’s 2026 City Pulse report released this week.Around 65% of those surveyed found DTLA vibrant compared to more than 80% vibrancy scores for New York, Chicago, Sydney and Shanghai.
The urban planning and consulting company surveyed 35,000 city residents on how they ranked their city for a variety of statements.Los Angeles ranked 20th-lowest globally and 11th-lowest among 34 U.S.
cities in vibrancy.Business Businesses want the mayoral candidates to deal with downtown’s entrenched troubles.Downtown Los Angeles needs more people to return to downtown to work, shop and eat if it wants to boost its scores, said Kelly Farrell, the managing director of Gensler’s L.A.
office“L.A.’s kind of central problem is that businesses have left L.A.We need them to bring the offices back in,” she said.
“Bring the people back in so they’re staying after work and interacting with those businesses that are in the area.” While there are pockets of downtown that are thriving and local residents say life is improving, Los Angeles’ downtown suffers from an image problem that is weighing on how it is perceived.Business Despite myriad challenges — including a sprawling homeless population and its reputation as a sometimes dodgy place to live and work — downtown L.A.
continues to defy the odds by attracting a steady stream of new residents.Gensler’s report highlights key factors that contribute to a thriving downtown area.Downtowns should have a blend of shops, offices, and housing, walkability, and a role as a cultural and entertainment hub.Despite its status as the city’s historic seat of government, finance, arts and sports, downtown L.A.
has experienced a trend of offices leaving post-pandemic, l...