West LA Times

Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk have announced a collaboration to support an independent commission focused on developing policy recommendations for rebuilding Los Angeles after the 2025 wildfires. The commission will draw upon UCLA's extensive research capabilities to ensure that recovery efforts are both resilient and equitable.

Chancellor Frenk emphasized the university's commitment, stating, "The commission we are announcing is a terrific example of our university and its partners in the region working together. UCLA is not just a university in Los Angeles. It is a university of Los Angeles."

Supervisor Horvath highlighted the need for forward-thinking strategies: "Los Angeles County cannot afford to simply rebuild what was lost — we must build for the future. This is our opportunity to rethink how we design communities, fortify infrastructure, and protect lives from the growing threats of the climate crisis."

UCLA's advisors, led by Megan Mullin from the Luskin Center for Innovation, will work alongside other experts like Julia Stein from UCLA School of Law and Alex Hall from Sustainable LA Grand Challenge. They aim to provide research-informed insights to a panel chaired by Matt Peterson, CEO of Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator.

Mullin noted the urgency of their mission: "Our region always lived with fire, but our communities weren’t built for the climate-induced mega-fires we see now." She added that an uncoordinated rebuilding effort could worsen inequality and increase future fire risks.

The commission's goals include implementing fire-safe reconstruction methods, enhancing infrastructure resilience, and expediting rebuilding processes through preapproved designs and financial incentives.

Alex Hall remarked on this pivotal moment: "Los Angeles is at a turning point. This commission is a generational opportunity for UCLA to provide L.A. civic leaders with expert knowledge drawn from years of rigorous research."

Faculty participants span several UCLA departments including law, public affairs, architecture, real estate, environment and sustainability, labor studies, and public health. The initiative receives support from the California Community Foundation along with in-kind contributions from UCLA.