Making Modern Los Angeles | California's MEGACITY

Los Angeles, California is the only megacity in the western US. This is the story of its transformation from a tiny settlement into a city of 15 million.
Key sources and videos:
KCET's building the metropolis documentary: • Building the Metropoli...
Metropolis by Ben Wilson: tinyurl.com/nrnepfbs
Reminiscences of Los Angeles by Belle Buford Thom Collins: tinyurl.com/mryx88ah
Better Housing News Flash (FHA): vimeo.com/673653514
Los Angeles: Displacement in utopia: • Los Angeles: Displacem...
State Water Project (w/JFK speech): • State Water Project
Who ended the red car? • Who Killed the Red Car...
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) [Kirsten Dirksen]: • LA couple builds backy...
Shadow of a Drought: • Shadow of Drought: Sou...
Subscribe for weekly city profiles:
/ thedailyconversation
All other research links:
The Mexican Era | California History: • The Mexican Era | Cali...
The Mexican American War: • The Mexican-American W...
The Gold Rush | California History: • The Gold Rush | Califo...
How Los Angeles gets its water: • How Los Angeles Stole ...
The port of Los Angeles: • The Port of Los Angele...
Early oil and gas production in California: • Early Oil and Gas Pro...
History of Hollywood: • The History of Hollywood
From farm to freeway: • From Farm to Freeway |...
Construction of LA Aqueduct: archive.org/details/csmha_000019
From redcars to freeways: • From Redcars to Freewa...
Evolution of Los Angeles: • Evolution of Los Angel...
New Automobiles Auto Industry In WWII: • " NEW AUTOMOBILES " A...
Housing segregation and redlining in America: • Housing Segregation an...
FHA fact sheet: www.hud.gov/program_offices/h...
The Story of Los Angeles International Airport LAX: • "#1 World Way" - the S...
Flight to California: • Flight To California 1952
Los Angeles, CA. 1940s in color: • Video
1940s Los Angeles from the air: • 1940s Los Angeles From...
Reshaping LA | Lost LA: • Reshaping L.A. | Lost ...
Pioneers of Aviation Alan and Malcolm Lockheed: • Pioneers Of Aviation A...
The real cost of freeways: • The real cost of freew...
State Water Project: An Aerial Tour 2021: • STATE WATER PROJECT: A...
LA 3rd city in world in GDP: tinyurl.com/3wmp5pz8
ADU grant program: www.calhfa.ca.gov/adu/index.htm
Desalination plant: • The Poseidon desalinat...
San Andreas fault: • The San Andreas Fault:...
Chapters:
0:00 Welcome to LA
1:06 Founding 'El Pueblo'
1:51 California becomes a US state
2:55 Growth into a city
4:09 LA Aqueduct
4:50 Absorbing other cities and towns
5:52 Hearing from an 1880's LA resident
6:10 Streetcars takeover
7:10 World's largest streetcar network
7:59 Automobiles takeover
8:10 FHA sparks a housing boom
9:46 Suburban sprawl
10:59 Cold War 'Defensive Dispersal'
12:00 Discriminatory housing practices
13:14 Freeways introduced
13:39 How freeways destroyed communities
14:06 State Water Project (feat. JFK)
15:30 A dominant city
16:26 LA's challenges
16:35 Boosting density around mass transit
17:07 High cost of living
17:42 Accessory Dwelling Units
18:12 Droughts and wildfires
18:34 The potential of water recovery
20:32 The coming 'Big One' earthquake
21:24 Goodnight and Goodluck
Megacity Episodes:
Megacities of the World (Season 2 Complete)
• The World’s Biggest Ci...
AFRICA'S MEGACITY: Kinshasa, DRC (CONGO)
• Kinshasa, DRC: Africa'...
Megacities of the World (Season 1 - Complete) • MEGACITIES of the Worl...
TOKYO: Earth's Model MEGACITY • Earth’s Model MEGACITY...
PARIS: Europe's MEGACITY • Paris, France's MEGACI...
SAO PAULO: South America's MEGACITY • São Paulo, Brazil's ME...
DHAKA: Fastest Growing MEGACITY • DHAKA, Bangladesh's ME...
CAIRO: Middle East • Cairo, Egypt's MEGACIT...
DELHI: India's Capital • Delhi, India's MEGACIT...
SHANGHAI: China's Largest MEGACITY • China's Largest City: ...
MEXICO CITY: Largest MEGACITY in the Americas • MEXICO CITY, Mexico's ...
Obama Makes Baby Stop Crying • Obama Makes Baby Stop ...
President Obama's Anger Translator at White House Correspondent's Dinner • President Obama's Ange...
Greatest Recorded Speeches in American History (1933-2008) • Greatest Recorded Spee...
Bill Nye Destroys Noah's Ark • Bill Nye Destroys Noah...
President Obama Walks The Streets of Washington • President Obama Walks ...
Trump Destroyed by Comedian Hasan Minhaj at 2017 White House Correspondents Dinner • Trump Destroyed by Com...
Seth Rogen Testifies Before Congress • Seth Rogen Testifies B...
President Obama's Anger Translator: Behind The Scenes • President Obama's Ange...

[@Brad-ku9yu]

Thanks, I've been telling anyone who listens for years that the sprawl of towns after WW2 was in part a defensive measure, only to be met with rolled eyes. Glad to actually have a term for it "Defensive Dispersal".

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

I agree, that was too interesting to leave out!

[@Praisethesunson]

Lol defensive according to the head of GM. Who was the one who built our highway and suburban BS nightmare. But he certainly wouldn't just say that. Just to push a public spending program in a way that gave the industry he made his fortune in a guaranteed federally backed cash cow.

[@Brad-ku9yu]

@@Praisethesunson Did you not watch the video? You didn't watch the video.

[@Praisethesunson]

@@Brad-ku9yu The video is bad and you should feel bad

[@RobertLeclercq]

This is the part of the video that really grabbed me as well. Very interesting indeed!

[@Iceify_]

As an urbanist. Its a tough pill to swallow to think that La had the worst largest public transportation system. Urban Planning during the car boom was done by automobile giants and lobbyist, not urban planners

[@sjx.gaming]

urban planners are the worst to plan anything

[@InsaneNuYawka]

Do you mean the WORLD’S 🌎 largest? If so you can edit the message..

[@Davidgon100]

LA has a looooong way to go but they're doing a lot of good stuff recently. Expanding the metro rail system, getting a HSR station (at some point), and lots of empty parking lots are being replaced with mid/high rise mixed use buildings. I would like to see better land usage around transit stations and more medium density spread throughout the area but at least they are slowly adopting good urbanism.

[@markanthony1004]

@@sjx.gaming Man please tell that to the City of San Antonio. No wonder we're 30 years behind the other big 3 cities in Texas

[@roger5059]

​@@sjx.gamingi'm interested to hear why you think that and who would be better at planning anything in your opinion

[@hectorcampos9244]

I lived in Los Angeles for 15 years, its a great city but I dont miss the traffic, instead i moved not to far away, in Ensenada Mexico, with way less traffic, great beaches and exact same weather. And a nice affordable house.

[@Kuziai]

Cartel cool with you or you pay monthly ransom?

[@alvaradoalejandroaa]

Don’t give away the secret towns of Baja

[@ThecrazyJH96]

5hrs away is “not to far away”??

[@JohnSmith-rk6jy]

good move 👍

[@aluisious]

...and the cartel telling everyone to stay off the streets this weekend. Yeah, great.

[@rossrreyes]

The only city in the world where you can ski in the mountains in the morning, surf at the beach after lunch, then have dinner in the desert. All while hearing a dozen different languages along the way

[@oloblish]

Kona, Hawaii you can do that and it's an even smaller area. Also you can do this in multiple cities in New Zealand, Chile, Morocco and France.

[@gracedagostino5231]

@@oloblish LA is the only major city in the world where you can do that. I can be in absolutely perfect warm weather, and from my backyard see the spectacular snow covered San Garbriel mountains. You can’t do that in Sydney, Melbourne, Rio, Vancouver, Hong Kong, Miami, Paris, London, Cape Town etc. Los Angeles is indeed very unique.

[@christianwang]

orrr you can do that in the bay area :/

[@oloblish]

@@gracedagostino5231 You can see snow cover in Hawaii while surfing and the mountains are a lot closer. And the surf is actually good 😂

[@oloblish]

Oh and did I mention that Big Island of Hawaii has 10 of the world's 14 climates. The whole state of California doesn't even have close to that many

[@orion7763]

I think what suprises my non-California friends the most about the L.A. region is how big it is. You can drive on the freeway for 2+ hours from the San Fernando Valley to the Inland Empire with constant urbanization the whole way. Similarly, it can take over an hour to get from the coast to the mountains (say, Rancho Palos Verdes to Azusa), again, completely built out with city.

[@charlespatrick8650]

yep, it's amazing how fast I got used to it though, thought a 1.5 hour drive to DT Chicago was long, now it seems fast if I get down to Long Beach from Hollywood in an hour

[@jonsnow7844]

Heh. I was an adult when I realized that urban sprawl didn't cover the entire planet.

[@salihucar9141]

What you call city, we call suburbs here in nyc.

[@xazimir4266]

@@salihucar9141 New York ls so so overrated and Los Angeles has it 100x over NYC any day

[@Southpaw128]

@@xazimir4266 I've lived in both places and New York's history is much deeper with more timeless architecture, better cultural institutions, and walking, biking, and transit are actual viable transportation options. LA has better weather and green space but every place in LA feels disconnected from the whole where as NYs identity is formed by the sum of its parts. Both are great cities but picking one comes down to your lifestyle preference and for me, that's NYC.

[@andrijavasiljevic]

LA has the perfect climate, not too hot and no humidity, plus very scenic views. LA could be such a good city if the government got rid of its NIMBY policies and stoped supporting the never ending urban sprawl and car dependency.

[@darkgalaxy5548]

Don't blame the govt. Car culture grabbed Southern Californians with a vengeance. You've got a better chance of getting NRA member to give up guns, than getting Californians out of their cars.

[@Ghost-lk1cw]

Skid row: exist

[@gabe.6273]

@@Ghost-lk1cw ok?

[@Sipeditos]

and reducing funds from the lapd and more to transit and housing

[@prometheusjackson8787]

@@Sipeditos You can have nice trains for people to get pushed in front of and homeless people to live in.

[@grumpygremlin2379]

I'm from Atlanta, which is considered a big city. But I visited Los Angeles in 1992. LA makes Atlanta look like one of those small towns with only one traffic light.

[@monique476]

Is it considered a big city 😂. I’m sorry to laugh. I’m from LA and live in McDonough right now and Atlanta is so tiny. I never even considered it large considering it has a population less than 1 million

[@kingMT514]

@@monique476 a city pop of 1 mill but a metro of 5 mill (?)

[@monique476]

@@kingMT514 Atlanta city has a population of 496k people. Atlanta metro is 6.14 mil

[@michiganman8383]

@@monique476 Well this video is about metros not city limits.

[@monique476]

@@michiganman8383 doesn’t matter. The numbers were wrong so I corrected it. Maybe don’t butt in until you read everything. And if you did read everything, then your reading comprehension is awful

[@AtLeastTryALittle]

You can call LA a lot of things, but I just call it home. LA is not perfect but it is a city that always seeks constant innovative improvement. I'm proud to be born and raised in this great city

[@LuisOrtega-yx3us]

Amen !!

[@antoniahamilton3201]

And we are glad that you were.

[@AtLeastTryALittle]

@Tom Beebe well guess what! LA loves you too Bay Area!

[@everybodysMaster1]

Well considering Cali is about to be the fourth largest economy in the world passing Germany, we have it good here in the best state this planet has to offer. Don't like hustle? Go to Kentucky or something

[@monique476]

Me too. I’m always happy to say I’m from LA

[@curious5887]

Kinda wish Los Angeles kept their streetcar network

[@envoy3]

Current street car's would get stuck behind all the car traffic because it shares the same space. It wouldn't be too hard to adapt a bunch of the highway systems to build more elevated train lines like they already did with the metro rail. The issue is that it's not high speed, it's not consistent enough, there's barely any security for it and it skips a lot of major destinations because of how spread out los angeles is. This city really needs to focus on developing around those major transit hubs and develop new lines near current hubs while also making trips more consistent.

[@elsongs]

It was never Los Angeles' to begin with. The Pacific Electric Railway and Los Angeles Railway systems were both privately-owned railroads that just happened to provide service to the public. The local government had no direct control of them nor funded them. It's hard for people today to think of transit being a private enterprise, but that's how it was back then.

[@epicmatter3512]

It was a private company. People switched to cars because that was better, and that private business went out of business. It wasn’t some government decision. It went out of business because it was inferior to cars.

[@charlespatrick8650]

parts of Metro rail lines run just like street cars used to, they usually time/switch the street lights too, otherwise it would take forever to get anywhere on those sections

[@colbystearns5066]

The current Metro system is probably even better than the Streetcar system ever was. For one, it's publicly owned so it never has to worry about "going out of business" like the privately owned streetcar system did once people found something faster and more convenient to use. Also it was slower not only because of older technology but because it shared the same space as regular cars, had to wait at stop lights, etc. Many of today's trains can go underground, over the street on their own tracks, etc. Besides lot of the tracks on the new system share the same right of way as the old system, even using some of the same stops, so it's not completely gone in spirit at least.

[@sea1tie1]

I find Californian cities to be unique in that they really develop like no other place in the country. The IE and Ventura County are all physically connected to LA via the development and are considered their own MSAs. At the same time essentially being extensions of LA itself. I personally think its better to look at places like the Bay and LA as CSAs. Side note: people don’t realize how dense LA really is. Yes, it sprawls, but a good portion of that sprawl is mid density to higher density the further in you get into the city. Then take the mountain ranges that bisect/surround it. Its not like a sprawl youd see in Houston or Atlanta. Greater LA is built up everywhere and if its not development, its active industrial/agriculture.

[@kawaiidoggo]

Yes mid and high density that cost more than anyone can afford. There are little to no mixed-used density. Rents in many of these "popular" places are unaffordable to most people. Even more, a lot of these new neighborhoods are basically tourist traps. Most people don't go to these new developments because they are often far out in Mid-Wilshire and Hollywood. Majority of Los Angeles neighborhoods are left behind with single family homes and where there is some semblance of human activity often requires car transportation. The amount of parking structures speaks for itself on how really "dense" the city is. It's not really. If the city was really dense, then majority of the people won't need automobiles. However, since you really need automobiles to get around anywhere in LA, it speaks volumes on how dense LA is. Dense cities like Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul, New York, London, Paris, etc don't require cars. In Los Angeles, most single family homes not only own one car but own two or three cars. Density in LA is a fabrication.

[@shane864]

I'm in the densest part of LA and it's not dense at all compared to any eastern city. LA is sprawl. It sucks hard in that regard. Nothing is walkable.

[@1jamarks]

The streetcar neighborhoods are the best parts of LA. They just need to bring the streetcars back.

[@miggypeso909]

Most folks who talk about LA and sprawl are speaking from an ignorant and envious place while they shiver in winter. It’s funny. NY I can at least somewhat understand, but little burgs like Boston and has been cities like Philly? L O L. Omg people have detached homes with backyards! Oh no! They’re not all living on top of each other in cold damp brick buildings,surely they must be lesser. 😅

[@miggypeso909]

@@shane864 where are you that you can’t walk? Or is it that you’re scared to go outside? Be honest. Seriously.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Los Angeles: We have the world's biggest streetcar network! Highways: *Unfortunately for you, history will not see it that way* Oh how the mighty have fallen...LA was once a shining beacon of transit done right. It's sad when transit is no longer respected even though trains connected the country well before highways did. LA is nowadays notorious for its traffic...traffic that can be solved if more people were on trains.

[@Thingsyourollup]

But... but... expanding mass transit greatly increases your chance of encountering a "poor"

[@caraqueno]

As this video alludes, Henry Huntington engineered LA's "shining beacon of transit" as a means to provide commuter rail service to tracts of land he owned and from which he created many communities. As the narrator related, Huntington's Pacific Electric Company was a private enterprise, not a government-sponsored mass transit agency, that Huntington began converting to busses, starting in the late 1920's, because wheeled vehicles, like busses, were easier and faster to operate. It was the Depression and World War II that slowed down that conversion to busses but Huntington began the process once his rail company achieved it's goal of linking and selling his real estate holdings. Only now, does Los Angeles have true mass transit planned and projected by a mass transit agency, Metro.

[@tjs200]

@@caraqueno which has its own problems but at least they're getting something done.

[@caraqueno]

@@tjs200 True enough!

[@riottonitedragon8344]

Both my parents were born and raised in Los Angeles. It is truly my home. It’s such a huge city I forget how big it really is. I love cruising in my car. Probably not during rush hour. But i can tell how the city was built for people with Vehicles. Without one, Living here can be difficult. When I was younger and working to buy a car taking the bus, or the ‘the train’ anywhere was a grueling task. Thanks for the video. It was a great documentary.

[@KaliforniaLA]

As a CA native, and an LA resident for 36 years, I give this video an A+. Now looking to move to the central coast.

[@daniel6villegas]

central coast sucks ! i moved out there to LA

[@user-oe7oe2fl8q]

@@daniel6villegas central coast is probably the best location in california lol it’s very laidback had nice beaches and nice weather 😂 it’s not hot like LA and the central valley and it’s not ghetto and dangerous like the bay area

[@Nattraks]

I drove Hwy 101 in June and was absolutely blown away at how huge LA truly was. I had to make multiple stops just to ground myself! I went as far as Long Beach before I turned back and headed towards Sequoia National Forest. I am an anti-social b*stard but I still had a blast while I was there! Can't wait for the next trip..Thanks for the vid brotha!

[@shamalama29]

At times it's ok to be an anti-social b*stard...LOL

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Sequoia's a good spot to head back to ;)

[@MrBUGS713]

Long Beach is Long Beach

[@cruisebumify]

You could have kept going southeast to Orange county another 50 miles of urban sprawl.

[@paulhunter9613]

@@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel I wouldn’t go any further south than sequoia forest, lots of stupidity down there😳

[@jeremyy.1703__]

I'm from Imperial County east of L.A and San Diego and at night you can see the glow of the city lights from both cities in the sky behind the Peninsular Ranges. For me the L.A metro starts at Beaumont and ends all the way at Santa Barbara

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Agreed. We lived in Idyllwild for a year and the glow from LA just seemed to go on forever.

[@ComeQuicklyYeshua]

Wow, Imperial County is a ways from LA.

[@aicofrena505]

Imperial county is more apart of San Diego as riverside orange San Bernardino and Ventura are apart of LA

[@sergiosandoval2434]

Alot of people that live in LA think that the San Fernando Valley, San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City, etc. are independent communities, but they are not. They are part of the city of Los Angeles. 80% of the San Fernando Valley is part of the city of Los Angeles.

[@dante340]

It's funny how Valley residents get super upset if you tell them that 🤣

[@truebluereef419]

The people that don't know that SFV is not part of L.A. are not born and raised.

[@chrisl8355]

The Valley would have been better if we had seceded from the City of Los Angeles.

[@christopherperez423]

I know! It bothers me a lot. I live in the SFV and a lot of people think that we are a separate community from Los Angeles.

[@dlazo32696]

@@chrisl8355 Absolutely!

[@ReaverLordTonus]

The removal of the street car system was imo the biggest mistake. Instead of removing it, they should have done what New York did and essentially put the street cars under the control of a public body rather than private hands, essentially create the LA Metro nearly a century early.

[@hmalik5232]

Agreed, trams are underrated and there’s not enough of them. LA and North America in general seriously needs to become less car dependant and build more transit.

[@PARK-sy3tf]

Amen to that. LA has solid highways but some trains would be nice to help the congestion,

[@seanthe100]

LA does not have the same geography that makes them thrive like NYC

[@CharlieND]

It's such a shame that LA ripped up its streetcar network. If it was still around it would be hugely beneficial for the region. The coverage on that network was excellent and it should have been expanded upon. If it was still around who knows how many cars would be off the roads.

[@dth2brny121]

I will ALWAYS be glad to call this very region, where I was born, grew up, and still reside in, in spite of its many flaws, critics and what not...HOME. LONG LIVE LOS ANGELES 💯

[@MyNameIsRed111]

Proud to call LA my home. I never thought I would say that prior to moving here, my family is from north Cali and San Diego and gave it a bad rap, along with a lot of the country lol. The thing is, most people don’t realize how truly amazing this city is until they come. Yes, it has it’s pitfalls, to be sure, but there are so many fantastic things about it. Plenty of people from every single walk of life, perspective, race, religion, creed. It’s not just a bastion of liberals, I know plenty of pride on both sides of the aisle, in between, and outside of. These people bring the city it’s literal flavor in mom and pop restaurants and businesses. So much art, music, and things to do and see. I truly love my city.

[@antoniahamilton3201]

Welcome to Los Angeles! You get LA. You are a real addition here. Thanks.

[@great-mighty9603]

Oh finally a KZbin comment not talking bad about LA

[@thatguyman553]

I went there for vacation, and I want to live there. But, it's so expensive, especially coming from a state that only has property tax. My current state has no income tax, sales tax or state tax only property tax. I really liked the area. I grew up in New Hampshire and my first time in LA it felt like I lived there my entire life.

[@VideoDotGoogleDotCom]

The thing is, there is very little history in Los Angeles. I would never live in a place where pretty much everything is so new. We're moving to an ancient European city soon. To each their own, I suppose.

[@Jack-mf5lw]

@@VideoDotGoogleDotCom Here I am waiting to move out of my ancient European city, if you wanna we can switch places ahah

[@WDI2008]

Los Angeles, California also hosted the 1932 Summer Olympic Games, the 1984 Summer Olympic Games, and will host the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

[@Chrisisballin]

Also the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Super Bowl.

[@5674inCincy]

Unpop. Opinion: I’ve always loved the aesthetic of the downtowns of west coast cities, how all the skyscrapers’ roofs must be flat for the helicopter pad. You can pick out a skyline of a west coast city even if you don’t know it! *Edit: And, all the more reason power lines should be buried, as they’re less likely to be disturbed

[@h0eera.115]

Yeah, I like huge American cities in general, I think it has a certain edge and roughnes to it which kinda gives it a uniquely American characteristic that I don't find in European and Asian cities which comes off as too polished for me...

[@FGH9G]

Man, LA would benefit BIGTIME if they re-introduced and restored the Pacific Electric Railway to its former glory. They need that now more than they have ever needed it in the past, which LA Metro, as much as it is struggling hugely, is working to do just that, or at least expand to half of what it was, so I gotta give credit to em. Yes I wish progress came much faster, but at least they're moving faster than other US cities, *cough* *cough* New York. As for the transit and density comments at 16:47, *"...the next stage for LA really shouldn't be about more rail lines, it oughta be about taking advantage of the rail lines that are already here. And making sure there are more apartment buildings built around the rail lines...more jobs...building up the communities around it."* Why not both?? That's how TOD (Transit oriented development) works. Expansion of transit lines AND development around transit stops working in tandem is the whole purpose of TOD. And not only that, the city desperately needs the more rail lines, especially the Wilshire (Purple) Subway Line finally reaching Santa Monica, an LAX Metro stop, a Sepulveda Pass line, etc.

[@equal___]

glad to see this comment, (and the many others that are advocating for the streetcar) The way the video portrayed train networks being stiff and cars being freedom is exactly the type of language that needs to be checked if we ever want to solve car congestion

[@FGH9G]

@@equal___ I know right?! Seriously, calling tracks *"Tyranny"* is an insanely stupid and idiotic way to put it. It's nothing more than pro-car absolutism and auto industry propaganda and other BS. That mentality and "cArS eQuAlS fReEEdUmM" argument at 8:00 where the use of the word Tyranny is located: *"The arrival of the automobile meant liberation of the TYRANNY of the fixed track"* is a perfect example of that. Tracks = Tyranny? And car dependency doesn't?? Give me a break.

[@elsongs]

The Pacific Electric Railway was a privately-owned company (most rail and bus transit in the early 20th century was provided by private companies for a time). So the L.A. Metro Rail IS "they" re-introducing the Pacific Electric Railway. Two of the lines re-trace the routes of PE lines almost in their entirety, and the B Line subway follows the general corridor of the San Fernando Line, but using faster trains running entirely underground. The PE was very nice from a nostalgia standpoint, but it had its limitations, which would be very backward when used in a modern-day context.

[@dlazo32696]

@@equal___ Cars are freedom. Trains run on a fixed route/schedule.

[@charlespatrick8650]

pretty obvious that Beverly Hills to Brentwood, wanted to be isolated from the rest of LA, it's the most difficult area to get in and out of, either by bus or car, the Purple line is FINALLY going to change that!

[@deona267]

I love L.A. it’s a great county to live in California.

[@charlespatrick8650]

I could have lived anywhere in the US, but chose Los Angeles, stayed here in the '90s for a while while bumming around after leaving the Air Force, Colorado was nice too, and I love NYC, but LA is the right fit for me, it has big city problems, but its diversity and opportunities are incredible, it's almost always sunny with pleasant temps in the basin (at least the West side), and there's an endless amount of interesting and enjoyable things to do in Southern California ☀️🌴

[@LuisMendoza-pp9qi]

Say..... did you meet a lot of girls??

[@paulhunter9613]

@death to the suburbs antifa makes it a great livable city?

[@sayjaibao01188]

I've lived in LA 15+ years and still find something new, places I've yet to explore from it everyday. Kinda crazy to think that it's so massive, that ppl that live 20+ miles Inland rarely venture to the beach and vice versa for those that live on the coast. Like ppl live totally different lifestyles in this same mega region

[@coe8159]

The car-dependency of LA and the suburban hellscape that makes up most of it makes it a city I really have no interest in visiting. They really need to work on making it walkable.

[@bradleynoneofyourbizz5341]

Way too late for that!

[@craz5634]

@@tansin9 There’s at least 10 other big cities in the USA that are walkable

[@craz5634]

It’s not as bad as you may think. Many cities that are worse in the United States. There are genuine and cool people in LA too, but they’re hard to find if you’re not from there

[@itskelvinjay]

Los Angeles is too spread out, everything is far away, it was built for cars. You can't walk anywhere

[@JH-in5oq]

You want to make an urban area the size of Connecticut walkable?

[@user-km6ft2pw1q]

Born and raised in LA, have been to many other cities but as much as I liked those other places, I could never consider moving there over La-la Land.

[@TheLiamster]

I’m so excited for the 2028 Olympics which will be hosted by LA, I’m hoping to go and see the opening and closing ceremonies.

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Yes! Excited for LA 2028

[@Furkan-tt6zg]

I started to think about dreaming for LA and you said this... I will definitely will go there!

[@WDI2008]

@@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel Yeah I am surprised you didn't mention that Los Angeles hosted the 1932 Summer Olympics, the 1984 Summer Olympics, and that Los Angeles will host the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in your Los Angeles, California video!

[@saybanana]

The ceremony will likely cost as much as an expensive superbowl seat. There are just way too many rich people willing to pay $10000 to $50.000 a seat

[@paulhunter9613]

Who wants to bet that when the Olympic start that there won’t be a homeless tent for 5 miles around 😀

[@emelio7995]

I love LOS ANGELES, the great city of angels. There is no megacity quite like L.A.

[@BrandonJXN2]

I am proud to be from Los Angeles. Southern California is in my DNA. It sprawls forever, it's dirty, and the homeless problem really needs to be addressed by a strong city government (let's be honest: LA hasn't had a truly great mayor since Tom Bradley). But unlike a lot of cities, LA has truly endless potential. It's a great city that still has a lot of growth to do.

[@lolaquinn3861]

Moving to LA September 1st. Excited but nervous to be out on my own but i feel like i should experience it and in a city like LA

[@tanania]

Best of luck! It can be cut throat, but its also home. I hope it works out well for you!

[@zionious6657]

@TNerd lol… 😂. Youre exaggerating lol

[@zionious6657]

@TNerd it’s take me 1 hr with traffic 🥰

[@TheAspiringCentenarian]

This is the best city-themed KZbin series I have encountered so far. Your contents are always well-made. Keep up the good work! -Your fan from Metro Manila :-)

[@sagatuppercut2960]

I was born and raised in Los Angeles. The last time I remember life being somewhat affordable for the average worker was during the 1980s. I didn't realize that I had a short window of time to take advantage of those low prices (the price of gas, food, college, housing, etc.). I spent many years doing odd jobs and goofing around. Right now I'm broke and living in the Central Valley of California---which is more affordable. I can't afford to live in the neighborhood I grew up in (not that I'd want to). I can't even afford to buy a house in Watts if I wanted to---and nobody wants to live in that area (except for idiots). I dreamed about living in a nice suburb in the foothills when I was a teenager (at a cost of $250,000), but I would have to have a minimum of $700,000 to live in those places now.

[@jacobbernard1393]

I'll always love LA, the city of my childhood, but it's much less of a place of opportunity than it once was, given the enormous constraints on housing imposed by strict zoning codes and anti-development sentiment; today, I live in Baltimore, a drastically-different city, but somewhere I can live at a great standard of living, own a beautiful home, hold a great job, and enjoy most of the same amenities as back home. I'll always love visiting, but the East Coast is home to me now.

[@mhairsto24]

Glad that you call Baltimore, Maryland home (my hometown where I will always live).

[@The-Heart-Will-Testify]

@@mhairsto24 I live in Ohio and been to every state. My favorite is Maryland.

[@mhairsto24]

@@The-Heart-Will-Testify I appreciate that. 💪💪💪💪💪💪

[@J_131]

L.A. is certainly not perfect. Like other cities around the world it has its fair share of growing pains. Homelessness, traffic, and air pollution are the big three. But there really is something about it that is not seen anywhere else in the world. The very dependable weather, the food, music, art, and sports scene is 2nd to none. The mix between urban and natural landscapes is also very impressive with neighborhoods on the coasts, in the hills, in the valleys, and in the deserts. Hiking trails there are not the most intense in the world, but one of the most rewarding when you reach the top. Its contributions to space and air travel and film and tv are globally recognized and have also left a lasting legacy in human history. For LA, despite all its socio-economic, urban and environmental challenges, the sky seems to always be the limit. For all its downfalls, it keeps a level of optimism that is incredibly hard to find around the world. See you in 2028 for the Summer Olympics!!!

[@paulhunter9613]

You forgot to mention all the gang activity and drugs

[@PARK-sy3tf]

LA, despite it’s flaws, is an amazing city. Very safe for the most part too. Great police. Sure there‘a some stinkers but hey, there’s crime everywhere. I got mugged while living in Berlin, that was fun. US has more guns and Europe has knives, but in the end, their crime levels are almost even.

[@rossginn1171]

Los Angeles is full of greatness 🙌🏻

[@paulhunter9613]

And diseases

[@PARK-sy3tf]

@@paulhunter9613 just like Paris, Berlin, London, Toronto and every other supposedly perfect city!

[@RickyMK]

Would be cool if you made a video about Rome, not a megacity but still pretty big and with a lot of history and challenges I’m very happy that this series is back

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Great suggestion, Ricky! Considering we're trying to do one every week or two I'm sure we'll run out of the 30ish megacities that are left before too long. I'm debating whether we should start intermixing other notable cities before then and just rename the series Cities?

[@anthonyjackson5234]

@@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel The San Francisco Bay Area (SF, Oakland and San Jose) although not a megacity would be really interesting to see your video about it as well! :) Especially with it's recent efforts to try and better connect/integrate Sacramento, San Joaquin Valley and Santa Cruz/Monterey areas into a larger network megaregion.

[@daharos]

Thank you so much for this fair and good depiction of my home city. I love my city so much, I was born here and have lived in and around Los Angeles for most of my life. I only truly feel comfortable in other large Metro areas, but most of them aren't as big as LA of course. There are breathtakingly beautiful areas inside and outside the city... and if anything else, experience a night concert at the Hollywood Bowl... there's nothing quite as serene as being surrounded by thousands of other Angelenos and listening to Mozart under the stars.

[@drafonstage5457]

Wow that sounds like a dream… Im from Portugal and although i love it here and Europe in general i don’t know why i feel so connected with LA it’s sooo different!! im dying to visit the city

[@lwbb5218]

best wish

[@gravityimage5]

As a filmmaker from the midwest, its the most livley place ive EVER experinced. I hold your virtues of this place too.

[@lyndakorner2383]

Reestablishing San Bernardino as southern California's third metropolitan core, alongside Los Angeles and San Diego, is the key to solving the mega-region's biggest challenges, including the jobs-housing imbalance, whereby the inland counties have a relative shortage of high-paying jobs while the coastal have a relative shortage of affordable housing.

[@kennixox262]

San Bernardino is such a toilet. Lived in nearby Highland and stationed at the long since closed Norton AFB. The smog in those days would start rolling in during late mornings blocking the fire of the mountains by late afternoon. Hated it.

[@broncohaak]

Thanks for the reupload I had this in my watch later and it disappeared. Love your content.

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Thanks and sorry about that!

[@10000daddy]

Would be nice to see LA turn into a modern mega city like many others around the world. They have the economy and potential.

[@ChadwickTheChad]

It's more modern than most foreign cities.

[@PARK-sy3tf]

@@ChadwickTheChad I’d agree. Berlin, as much as Europeans boast and brag about it, is actually quite underdeveloped in some areas. It’s very nice, sure, but there’s a lot of homeless people and it’s gotta really messed up layout. I lived there for a few years and honestly, I prefer American cities and the way of life here. It’s much more efficient and fair, despite what the biased media says.

[@felixvergro]

@@PARK-sy3tf what 'Europeans' boast and brag about Berlin? You mean Germans? You think we all live in one big country?

[@PARK-sy3tf]

@@felixvergro no lol, Europe is 44 unique countries, I should’ve specified sorry.

[@ChadwickTheChad]

@@emryadora No, I seriously doubt that.

[@Kodeb8]

Los Angeles feels more like a collection of suburbs than a proper city. Really really expensive suburbs where every house is over a million dollars...

[@Thiiink]

yup either that or buildings on top of each other like here in athens

[@colbystearns5066]

This is a fascinating history of LA and the way it talks about current issues is refreshingly objective! Great video!

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Appreciate that Colby!

[@TVinmyEye]

I was born in LA and lived there for 32 years. I just got fed up with all the traffic and congestion. I ended up moving to Bend Oregon. No fing regrets whatsoever. Life here is obviously slower but it’s not a “sleepy town” either. Quality of life is just so much better and most if not all my anxiety is gone. Weather is going to be vastly different in Bend, but believe it or not, winters are mild in terms of snow accumulations. Big Bear gets worse winters than Bend. Unless I get a amazingly paying job in SoCal, I will never go back

[@PARK-sy3tf]

I’d agree with that. I grew up in Toronto but moved to Utah for school. I currently live in Syracuse, a fairly sleepy town but also big enough to be fun. INCREDIBLE QOL. Also despite what foreigners say, you guys have the best healthcare system in the world, I wish I was born here so I could’ve saved my cousin… the wait time up in Canada ended his life sadly. Here you just get insurance and then you’ve got no wait time and pay less than I did in Canada. Overall, this is an incredible country and I’m very happy I moved here. Cheers!

[@Kenikex]

It’s summer here in LA, dry heat, beautiful. And no matter how hot it gets during the day, every evening and night gets pleasantly cool, that doesn’t happen in thenSouth or East Coast. Beautiful coast, beautiful mountains, hills, topography and wonderful people and food. That’s why people, even the homeless from other states, come here, and we don’t snap at them like in other places, we are welcoming. I’ve been to so many places, bu t I’d rather deal with the few incomodities like traffic here than other place on earth, because I can go to nature when I want, the desert, the beach, the mountains, rivers and lakes within an hour or two. Right smack in the middle of the city you have the largest urban natural park in the country…with wild pumas I might add. Only in LA. ❤️

[@Cal90208]

Which park is that

[@adrians7186]

@@Cal90208 Griffith Park, and the Santa Monica Mountains as well.

[@xazimir4266]

@@Cal90208 Elysian park

[@Cal90208]

@@xazimir4266 No

[@jameslee4519]

I don't think "the homeless come here from other states!" is really a selling point for a place to live... I worked near downtown L.A. for a couple years, it constantly smelled like homeless urine

[@Fuxser]

Great video, just found your channel and i guess i got alot of videos to watch! I learned alot and you are using some great footage

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Thanks! I'm glad you finally found it too :)

[@kinfolk233]

My hometown. My maternal grandfather and his family moved here from San Antonio, TX in 1924. My other three grandparents came from the South (TX and Louisiana) and settle in L.A. in the 1940s. Beautiful city.

[@craigmerkey8518]

Really good comprehensive information, thank you!

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Hi Craig, yes this was a fun one to make because of the wealth of good old film on LA (as one would expect from the birthplace of that industry).

[@Benmarkk2009]

I think it is important to add that California was admitted to the union as a free state, not because of altruism, but because white Californians in charge did not want black people in the state and did not want slave owners to have an unfair advantage of unpaid labor in the gold rush. The lack of slave patrols and the vast distance from the south dissuaded slave owners from relocating to California. It's not that they were against slavery. In fact Los Angeles use to arrest Native Americans, then a white man could bail them out, and that native person would be force to work off that debt. The arrest were dubious and many times they were not told how much the debt was, so they did not know how long they were going to be enslaved. The practice of using native American slave labor became so popular that a native child could become a ward of a white family and that family would have ownership of that native person until their mid-to-late 20's. This lead to a huge human trafficking ring of native children in the state of California (particularly in Northern California). Those human traffickers would go into villages, slaughter all adults, kidnap the children, and sell them off. Many Natives in SoCal would identify as Mexican and speak Spanish, so that they would be protected by the Treaty of Hidalgo. This lead to the cultural erasure of indigenous Californians.

[@martiwaterman1437]

Thanks for sharing. This is historical information regarding indigenous people that I was not aware of.

[@J_131]

Also worth noting that it still had serious segregation issues even well into the mid 20th century. The "No Blacks, No Mexican, No Dogs" signs are a reminder of that. It also has the highest displacement of Japanese Americans during WW2 in America's shameful concentration camps.

[@paulhunter9613]

@@martiwaterman1437 no one but Ben is aware of the indigenous people being treated bad, Ben is suffering from the i’m a victim syndrome

[@NICKELS181]

At 5:29 that shot of east Hollywood is amazing. My home is in East Hollywood right off Vermont and Melrose and dates back to 1912 Found the permits and site build on the LAPL archives. It is amazing to see the history of this city. Our home is a 4 Bedroom with maids quarter downstairs and huge basement with classic old school heater like the one from Nightmare on Elm Street.

[@anthonyjackson7336]

Thats the hood you live in near LACC. Mexicans everywhere

[@charlespatrick8650]

@@anthonyjackson7336 Mexicans are EVERYWHERE in LA, the City is 50% Latino

[@anthonyjackson7336]

@@charlespatrick8650 yes but only due to anchor babies and chain migration from refugees. It's been invaded and that's a problem

[@NICKELS181]

@@anthonyjackson7336 That is like saying Hooper and King Blacks everywhere.

[@xazimir4266]

@@charlespatrick8650 more like 70-72%

[@johnshort5830]

Def subscribing now, I watched this, Shanghai, and Kinshasa, and i really like this channel. Good work on compiling a lot of information but making it accessible and entertaining. Looking forward to going through the ones I haven't seen yet.

[@jyrrin]

2:32 and 12:05 (the picture). for all it's faults - and there's waay too many of them - these two time stamps always make me incredibly proud of my state.

[@vic2958]

I love LA! With all its problems, it’s my home. It’s incredibly diverse and it has everything.

[@antoniahamilton3201]

Amen brother!

[@bcurobinson]

I used to live in the vicinity of Seoul, and would visit regularly. LA city and county can really learn a lot about how that city currently manages housing and public transportation. There are a lot of 14+ story mega apartment complexes that are like mini cities that house thousands and the train runs in and around Seoul moving millions of people per day

[@FGH9G]

Man I would kill for LA to have a Seoul style transit and housing system.

[@GranolaBars11]

Seoul isn't some beacon of progression though.

[@FGH9G]

@@GranolaBars11 And LA is?

[@ericktellez7632]

Korea in general it’s a terrible example for managing housing, same exorbitant rent prices but for much less space

[@PARK-sy3tf]

Doesn’t South Korea have really bad housing and work culture? Correct me if I’m incorrect please.

[@canalsentir]

Excellent video! Outlines LA's history very well! thanks! Hi from Mexico!

[@intreoo]

This was an amazingly descriptive and well-made video! Thank you!

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@zarategabe]

LA, first on the list of places in the USA, needs a complete infrastructure overhaul. They need to replace thousands of crumbling housing infrastructure into decent to large sized apartment blocs, like every other decently run megacity in the world. Then they need to replace the insane abomination of a highway system with subways, trains, bus lines and a pedestrian only downtown. Again, like every other decently run megacity in the world.

[@charlespatrick8650]

wonder what the average age of structures is in LA!? everything seems old, my apartment building was constructed in 1954, of the two on either side, one was built in 1960, the other in 1927 for Paramount workers, CEQA is killing this City, the Sunset and Western Target took over a decade to build because of CEQA lawsuits, owners of the run down strip mall that was there, claimed that it couldn't be torn down because it had "historical significance," and this happens every time a new development is proposed in LA, NIMBY is insane here too

[@PARK-sy3tf]

Honestly while trains are nice, they also have a lot of flaws. One delay and the entire city transit comes to a halt. I’ve lived in Canada, Germany, the UK, and the US, and I really think the interstate is the world’s best transit system. Give California a few High Speed Rails on the side and it’ll be amazing.

[@zarategabe]

@@PARK-sy3tf Most of the flaws of train delays are down to under investment and under development in the train infrastructure itself. The interstate is an awful system because it's incredibly wasteful having millions of cars everywhere and the insane costs associated with building and maintaining freeways and the associated infrastructure. Quality train infrastructure across the nation would be far less expensive and far more efficient in the long run.

[@PARK-sy3tf]

@@zarategabe good point. Honestly both systems do have pros and cons tho, but trains are good for the future for sure.

[@jameslee4519]

@@charlespatrick8650 I had a job in Beverly Hills so I was looking around that area for an apartment. Everything was $3k+ and the interiors looked like absolute dogshit. Like somebody set off a bomb inside. Dirty, rusty, appliances looked like they were from the 1920s...

[@aaronmoreno8918]

The settlers that came from Sinaloa Mexico were not just mainly of African Descent, but also of Native Mexican-American Indian Descent as well. A lot of them were of Afro-Mestizo Descent. Having all three Ancestries, Native American, African and European.

[@jcopp2031]

"also of Native Mexican-American Indian Descent" WTF is a "Native Mexican-American Indian"? 🤔

[@lanisehoward8397]

Um they were tho. Do your research lol.

[@jcopp2031]

@@lanisehoward8397 "Um they were tho" They were what? I wasn't contesting what they were, I was asking WTF is a "Native Mexican-American Indian". Pay attention to what was said and try to improve on your obvious inability to comprehend plain English.

[@VtecSam]

@@jcopp2031 some people say stuff just to say it.

[@jcopp2031]

@@VtecSam Yes, they do. And by doing so they publicly exhibit their lack of understanding, comprehension, and intelligence. Some people should keep their thoughts to themselves and only be thought as stupid instead of commenting and removing all doubt.

[@5674inCincy]

It’s so great you’re back!

[@dheshanpillay4192]

What a brilliant video. Well researched and delivered in a great way!

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidbryden7904]

This is weird to watch, for me. I never realized that I am the personification of the "basin". Born and raised there, worked in both construction and aerospace, and bought a home there! I've even spent a few years homeless there. I'm amazed at how "typical" I am!😒✌️edit: I moved to the Sacramento Valley last year, but I miss LA.

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

You definitely are, David, I should have interviewed you 😜 Hope the North is treating you well.

[@TheBubblegum420]

Good for you, David !

[@MargaretWalkerCellist]

I was BORN in LA in 1946, and when the Korean War broke out Dad was on a ship there and our mother died in LA, so we moved to San Diego where I spent the next 56 years of my life, and when I could no longer afford the cost of living I moved to NW Arizona, where I own my acre and home, and planted an orchard there, so my yard is like a California landscape. But harder times are coming and world leaders know nothing about how to serve the people. The world as a whole is in crisis and our leaders are the cause. "Thy Kingdom Come."

[@ecnalms851]

Fascinating video, thanks for making it! 😊

[@glez4154]

I really enjoyed the whole video.. thumbs up and new suscriber , keep it up bro!👌🏻

[@sergelouissieben6754]

I live in Los Angeles The weather is perfect but there are so many homeless it’s unimaginable It’s like an epidemic You see tents everywhere . LA dirty and has a very high crime rate

[@frankihatch]

weather is very nice. nice beaches too

[@antoniahamilton3201]

I know well the areas that you speak of. To soley define LA by these besieged neighborhoods would be more than misleading though. I know many neighborhoods that are lovely. And yes, these neighborhoods are also a part of LA. I think you need to be more specific when you are describing Los Angeles.

[@paulhunter9613]

And lots of drug use

[@zionious6657]

Vote for Rick Caruso for Mayor ❤ He’ll change this ❤😊

[@Dreamsai_]

Crime rate is not as higher as other major cities

[@Clorox-enjoyer]

California is the capital of entertainment, art, and science in America. It's where dreams are built, careers are started, and where stars are born. I lived in California my whole life, and I'm happy about that. California is one if not the most diverse state in America. The food never stays the same. My favorite is Italian food. I also have friends of all ethnicities here. Even some I've never heard of before. Family always talked about how it was like in the 19th century.

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Cool Rat

[@handsfortoothpicks]

California could be it's own country. That'd be pretty cool

[@SwissRoadsPlaces]

Thank you for this exciting and informative documentary. It was interesting to see how L.A. has developed over the years. Thank you for this impressive video! 👍🙏👍😀 Greetings from Switzerland 🇨🇭

[@nikolay_valkov]

I have never been there but I feel this city as if I lived in it in a previous life. one of my goals is to go there one day i will.

[@SacTownLions0]

"Los Angeles has everything...except Water." Well, that may be a problem in the future as Water is pretty important.

[@Thingsyourollup]

Endless supply of it just west of the city, they just have to have the will to sacrifice a couple precious beaches and build something other than unaffordable luxury housing.

[@SacTownLions0]

@@Thingsyourollup I agree!

[@unassumingaccount395]

What this doesn't mention is how LA still isn't allowed to be as dense as it was able to be before. This can be attributed to the 70s/80s when LA was downzoned; it had a zoning capacity of 20 million allowing more homes to be built, and generally more dense/sustainable development, and then due to mass NIMBY opposition to development in neighborhoods (typically tied in with the same racist intent as FHA's redlining rules were) it was suddenly cut to just 3-4 million. It's only being slowly being upzoned again for variances (what developers request on a lot to upzone it but its a slow process) and population growth, to allow for some development but nowhere near where it was in the past. (UCLA Lewis Center) LA needs to either upzone, esp. in single family zoned areas which consist of 70% of its overall land (where it'd be most effective to do so), a supply constraint by-design so cheaper multifamily housing cannot be built, which is exclusionary. If anything doing so also decreases car dependency by inducing less sprawl. If it can't- it needs the state to intervene at this point. The state tried in the past but has so far past laws that were comprehensive (SB50/827) have whittled to only managing to legalize 2 units + 1 ADU (SB9 and other ADU laws passed past-2016) within single family lots at best, which is still not enough, especially when those lots used to be able to accommodate multiplexes with 4-10 (or even more) units depending on area before the downzones, and the fact that the new law legalizing 2 units has been easily bypassed by some localities already. If they didn't want to touch constituencies in single family neighborhoods that are more NIMBY and exclusionary, they could upzone near transit (also could reduce car dependency), or if they didn't want to they could upzone the huge swaths of land zoned commercial in the city (allowing mixed use development also reduces car dependency, this also means allowing more commercial in residential, the opposite, could do the same), or eliminate parking minimums, which take up space and make units more costly (this could also reduce car dependency, lots of areas in LA mandate 2 parking spaces per unit, no wonder its so car dependent). They could streamline permitting to be ministerial and by right (like what cities such as Sacramento have done) so units get approved faster and sell for cheaper (as time is money). There's tons of smaller solutions that could garner tons of housing production needed to tackle to crisis (and even reduce car dependency along with it), but they haven't even been touched by city councils either, and of course, still create opposition even if its less detrimental to the city's character. There are some caveats though. LA is planning to upzone its zoning capacity by a few million so 500k units can be built (as only a % of zoning capacity gets built) to comply with the state housing element (which mandates how much municipalities/counties should build homes in an 8 year cycle), but its only managed to create a housing element zoning for half the 500k built needed in order to be compliant, and even if the targets were met overall it would still not be enough to solve its housing shortage. (If anything the housing element could become more compliant with those smaller solutions listed above). The city needs to get past the opposition and their politician's own egos and start trying. It's funny because these opposing voices against these only make up a minority of the area's constituencies, most are fine with these types of measures for that matter.

[@unassumingaccount395]

@TNerd denser zoning and transit oriented development uses less water than sprawl. so infilling existing homes will result in less/the same water use.

[@Project2457official]

@TNerd That's because of the unsustainable development of LA and the sustainability of agriculture and water usage in the region. The Colorado River is drying up due to our impact via the environment, ergo climate change. Cities like LA greatly contribute to climate change by being incredibly car dependent.

[@metallic4888]

i ain’t reading all that

[@unassumingaccount395]

@@metallic4888 not my problem

[@velocirapture89]

I like your channel. You remain positive, you don't swear and you are a good narrator.

[@LuckyK7777]

I'm so proud of my home city Los Angeles. When I think about how LA pretty much got to the same level as 2300-year-old Paris, PARIS, in just about 60 years it makes me so proud. Or how it bypassed every other American city except New York City!

[@luisantonioayala619]

Born in LA. I’ll die in LA 😎

[@franwex]

I have learned so much from this video. From street cars to FHA loans and how it affected our way of life to this day. Thank you!

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Great! We learned a ton making it!

[@paulk9985]

So you learned the producers lean left... real hard?

[@franwex]

@@paulk9985 I did not recall any political messages from here. Not sure you’re commenting on the correct section.

[@paulk9985]

@@franwex Then you're not too bright.

[@johnhansen6025]

Well done on this video.

[@mindsterv]

Very well put together.

[@Thingsyourollup]

Years ago when I lived in Phoenix my friends and I would regulary drive out to LA for long weekends. It's a gorgeous city, and I spent my 21st birthday at a bar right on the beach in Laguna. Probably the best time I had in my life. Now that I'm older though, I still think the city is beautiful but it's a bit too tense and busy for my tastes these days. For me, it's a nice place to visit but I dont think I could live there.

[@paulhunter9613]

It’s nothing now, it’s one big homeless shelter

[@Omw2fyb]

Laguna beach? Thats Orange County not LA

[@Thiiink]

laguna beach ain't la bud lol

[@PARK-sy3tf]

@@paulhunter9613 Ever been to Vancouver or Toronto? Lots of hobos there too.

[@paulhunter9613]

@@PARK-sy3tf I don’t travel to limp wristed countries, so no I have never been to Canada

[@Itwillgrowback]

I’ve lived outside of California for 4 years before. I’ll never, ever leave California again.

[@gfox9295]

Good luck to you, but wildfires, landslides, water issues, and the eventual inevitable big one are all conspiring to make many Californians move eventually. Perhaps within the state, though. It's a big one, after all.

[@Itwillgrowback]

@@gfox9295 I’ve seen more natural disasters in the Midwest (flooding, deadly blizzards, humid heat waves, tropical disease outbreaks, etc.) in 4 years than I have in a decade here in CA. Wildfires and earthquakes come and go - but we’re restoring the mountain woodlands and we’re curtailing our water usage, preparing for the next big one along the coasts, and are working to address air quality in the Central Valley by spearheading world climate policy. I’m not too worried, and our inland cities of Fresno, Sacramento, Bakersfield, Modesto, Stockton, Riverside, San Bernardino, etc. are all growing and diversifying with Californian transplants. We’re poised to survive the 21st Century and thrive

[@phillipephan]

This was such a solid doc!! I am an Angelino and relish learning new things about the southland!! The "defensive dispersal" fact was definitely a new one fo me. There's so much interesting history in LA and this doc did a great job touching on many facets of it as it ties into our infrastructure.

[@DRK0114]

excellent video. thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@swimmingviolin29]

The transcontinental railroad connected Omaha to Sacramento and later to San Francisco. It did not connect LA to SF.

[@henrysantos121]

Very nice documentary well done.god bless everyone.🙏.

[@w.d.g.]

good content, well done.

[@JonathanGonzalez-el3wb]

Good documentary very educative well done 👍

[@markuscruz2539]

Excellent Documentary! I love LA!

[@zsoren42]

The reason that Los Angeles grew so fast in the 1890s and early 1900s is when the Central Pacific and later the Southern Pacific were building out east from New Orleans to build a southern transcontinental route. SP was going to go from Yuma AZ to San Diego and then up through San Bernardino and Lancaster to connect to the railroads 2 north-south California routes up the coast to SF and up the San Joaquin to Stockton and Sacramento. Yet the people of LA and the elected representatives of the region begged and lobbied for the railroad to bring their southern trans-con to LA instead. After all the work the SP finally decided to divert up to hit LA instead and have its southern trans-con, San Joaquin and Coast routes all terminate here and it has brought so much to the city and grew it so much that it drove other railroads like the Santa Fe who came about 12 years after the SP and the Union Pacific.

[@LouisArias]

Nice... Thanks For The Detaills 😁🇺🇸🇲🇽

[@stephenheath8465]

Yep ATSF broke the SP Monopoly which created the Real Estate Boom

[@Primeros1000]

Very interesting. I learned a lot 👌

[@dennisclarkofficial]

Just wanna say, brilliant! Great video

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@eg4355]

Finally...a video about LA that isnt dragging her name through the mud. 10/10

[@paulhunter9613]

Paid for by your governor

[@scottmelo5956]

Seus vídeos são otimos

[@TheStoneWhisperer]

Always interesting when I run into videos talking about my home city. Although born in Simi Valley (a small extension of the San Fernando Valley), I wasn't raised here. I only came back many years later when I found I needed work. For all the issues L.A. does have, the single largest benefit is it's endless need for skilled workers. There is ALWAYS work in L.A. and that is what has kept me. I since settled up in a more laid back beach town just one hour drive north of L.A. and I love it! Perfect temps literally year round and situated right on the beach. This really is Paradise.

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Hi Mishka, thanks for your comment! The entire CA coast between LA and SF is fantastic. You chose well.

[@monique476]

Simi valley is it’s own thing. Not apart of sfv

[@loftincapital]

professional quality doc! :)

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Thanks!

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

Los Angeles was based with that streetcar network. To see it now engulfed with highways...it's sad. Los Angeles will never be as based again. Pyongyang on the other hand, has a streetcar and trolleybus network as well as a beautiful metro. More people either take transit or ride their bikes than drive.

[@J_131]

Also, their supreme leader has no need to defecate...ever. #Winning

[@kevo1380]

Love these videos. LA is insane...thanks for the history lesson. I know its not a 'Mega City', but id love to see what you have for Toronto if thats ever been a thought. Keep up the great work !

[@garryferrington811]

Toronto was pretty darn nice 36 years ago. Haven't been there since, it's probably even better now.

[@nygeriunprence]

@@garryferrington811 Extremely nice and they’re going through a skyscraper boom.

[@PARK-sy3tf]

I’m not a big fan of Toronto… I grew up there and there is a LOT of homeless people. Also I’m just not a fan of their government but that’s just me. You do you man.

[@sayjaibao01188]

Toronto is no Megacity, but it thinks it is one. Lol 😂 Anyway, it's a nice city though.

[@dorisq9241]

Thank you for this well-made video on LA!

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@KillerTacos54]

Fantastic videos!

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

Thanks, happy you are enjoying them!

[@Anonymous-tf7cg]

LA is pretty cool, but has a lot of issues. San Diego is where it’s at 🤙🏽🤙🏽 true paradise on earth

[@derickmoncado]

As a born and raised Californian. SD is SOOOO slept on. It's easily the best city in the continental US.

[@TDC_TheDocumentaryChannel]

As a native San Diegan, I concur.

[@Dude-gx2ul]

@@derickmoncado totally agree

[@westoaklandtee]

Get the eff outta here. San Diego doesn't hold a candle to LA

[@Dude-gx2ul]

@@westoaklandtee why do you think that?

[@noseefood1943]

Top 3 Pros: weather diversity best food from all over the world Cons: traffic cost of living homelessness

[@vesnastihovic7014]

Thank you for such a beautiful representation.. ❤

[@walterguirola8287]

California’s Mega City 1, Proud to be an Angelino… no place like home. Had Los Angeles been built closer to the shore, it wouldn’t have been as dominant incorporating and annexing next door neighborhoods and unincorporated land. Having a commanding central basin location that cuts the Eastside and Westside, a deep water harbor, oil, heavy industries, reliable water source, trolley, movie studios, etc… made all the other smaller cities play a second fiddle supporting role, not being able to develop their own structured downtowns until late in the 20th-21st century. Many cities where just happy to be dormitory communities for Los Angeles workers, until they finally developed on their own.