Rep. Robert Garcia aims to replicate the success of Long Beach, California nationwide.

Rep. Robert Garcia aims to replicate the success of Long Beach, California nationwide.

Rep. Robert Garcia: A Champion for Urbanism

Introduction: Embracing the Urbanist Title

Rep. Robert Garcia, a dynamic and multifaceted freshman Democrat from California, has earned numerous titles during his political career. He is known as Congress’ first openly gay immigrant member and is the president of his congressional class. However, one title he takes particular pride in is “urbanist.” This designation reflects his unwavering commitment to creating thriving, walkable cities that offer a high quality of life. With a focus on his native city of Long Beach, Garcia seeks to make urban areas denser, more sustainable, and better suited for contemporary living.

The Urbanist Journey: From Republican Mayor to Congressional Advocate

At 45 years old, Garcia’s political journey has been impressive. Starting as a Republican, he transitioned to the Democratic Party and ultimately served as the mayor of Long Beach for eight years. During his mayoral tenure, Garcia emerged as a vocal proponent of developing denser, climate-friendly cities. His efforts were concentrated on increasing the housing supply in his district, overseeing the construction of a historic number of housing units, and enhancing mass transit and bike infrastructure.

Garcia’s mayoral experience profoundly influenced his worldview when he arrived in Congress. His aim is to replicate successful policies from Long Beach and California throughout the entire country. By reducing housing barriers related to parking requirements and encouraging compact construction, promoting biking, and investing in public transit, Garcia believes these strategies can be effectively implemented on a federal level. He asserts that these approaches have already proven successful in Long Beach and need further discussion nationwide.

Urbanism in Action: Legislation for the Future

Garcia’s commitment to urbanism is evident in the legislation he has introduced in Congress. In May, he presented a bill to ban parking minimums near transit hubs. This proposal aims to decrease housing prices and construction costs while simultaneously promoting density near mass transit. By eliminating the mandatory parking guidelines, which drive up costs and incentivize driving over public transportation, Garcia hopes to foster urban areas that prioritize sustainable and efficient modes of transportation.

Garcia drew inspiration for this bill from his home state of California, which recently prohibited local governments from enforcing specific parking requirements for developers. Yet, he acknowledges that there is also much to learn from other urban environments, including the nation’s capital. Garcia applauds Washington, D.C., for its significant strides in urbanism, citing its strong bike network, walkability, appealing pedestrian spaces, and overall urban atmosphere.

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Collaborative Urbanism: Building Allies and Seeking Bipartisanship

As a proactive legislator, Garcia believes in the power of collaboration. He is actively engaging with Democratic colleagues who share his perspectives on housing, transportation, and related issues. Notable allies in his endeavors include Representatives Jake Auchincloss and Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, Greg Casar of Texas, and Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii.

Nevertheless, Garcia recognizes the necessity of reaching across the aisle to build broad support for his legislation. While he has yet to obtain Republican backing for his parking bill, he remains optimistic. Though some Republicans may be preoccupied with different priorities, Garcia believes there are conservatives and libertarians who question the mandate of parking requirements and are genuinely interested in his bill.

Conclusion: A Bright Future for Urbanism

Rep. Robert Garcia’s dedication as an urbanist is unyielding. His commitment to creating denser, sustainable cities has garnered attention and support from within his party. By adapting successful policies and experiences from Long Beach and California, Garcia is poised to revolutionize urban environments across the United States. With his enthusiasm combined with the potential for bipartisan collaboration, the future of urbanism in America is brimming with excitement and promise.

• Congress
• Robert Garcia
• Urbanism