Planners of Los Angeles is a series of stories from APA Los Angeles members who are creating great communities for all. These are the stories of how they got where they are, who influenced them, and APA’s role in their careers. 

We hope these stories help you see yourself in a variety of roles across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors – and in jobs that don’t necessarily have “planner” in the title. 

This month we’re featuring Christina Ungureanu, AICP. 

Cristina Ungureanu, AICP
Senior Project Director, Urban Design & Planning, Rios Clementi Hale Studios

Tell us a bit about your current role and your experience as a “planner.” Who or what has influenced you in your career into planning? 

I’m an urban designer and planner with Rios Clementi Hale Studios.

I’m here because I sought a space in which to address equity, justice and inclusion through the built environment, and because I sought a team that experimented at the intersection of architecture, landscape, planning, urban design, interiors, product and experiential graphics to do it. 

I’m helping Rios Clementi Hale Studios grow its urban design and planning practice. Right now, we’re busy re-envisioning the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, master planning a nearly 1 million square foot office campus at Tustin Flight, designing a 2.3 million square foot revamp of the San Francisco Flower Market, and putting the finishing touches on the Los Angeles Music Center Plaza after a $41 million renovation (among other things). 

In the coming months, you’ll hear more about our growing practice, through events we’ll host at our studio, research initiatives that pull contemporary practitioners into dialogue with each other, and the body of client work that continues to evolve in our office.

In what ways has APA Los Angeles informed your work and/or prepared you professionally?

Planners need to be rooted in place. I recently moved here from NYC, and APA has been immensely welcoming and open as I find my footing here.

Favorite place (or activity) in Los Angeles County? 

Continually on the hunt for a new beach, a new hike and a new Thai restaurant. Help?

Have a recommendation on someone we should feature? Send us an email at [email protected]. We can’t wait to share your story!