Planners are specialists in the ‘big picture.’ they don’t just see the city for the concrete – they envision the green spaces, walkable places, and friendly faces that create a vibrant, sustainable, and healthy communities. For Lilian Rubio, her passion lies in shaping the long-term vision of a community and its policies through everyday interactions with Angelenos. “[Planning] is about more than just zoning and building permits. It’s about creating healthy, equitable, and sustainable futures for everyone.”

Based in Los Angeles, California, Lilian’s urban planning path began during her internship with the City of San Clemente. A profound interest in Architecture and a project assignment reviewing the City’s existing zoning regulations became the perfect equation in sparking Rubio’s interest to shape the built environment. Being a contributor to the City of San Clemente’s long-range planning project for their Comprehensive Plan’s Health Element is what really ignited Rubio’s passion. “I [witnessed] firsthand how planning decisions impact communities,” she recalls. “This early exposure led me to the City of Los Angeles, where my internship evolved into a fulfilling career.” There, Lilian contributed to ‘The Plan’ for a Healthy Los Angeles, a first-of-its-kind Element in the Los Angeles’ Comprehensive Plan.  

Lilian believes that immersing herself in these long-range planning projects opened her eyes to the power of planning in improving community wellbeing. “[These projects] weren’t just about creating parks and promoting physical activity,” Lilian says. “They were also about addressing social determinants of health, like access to affordable housing and healthy food options.”

Lilian’s career is defined by transformative projects that bridge policy and community engagement, demonstrating how planners can address the challenges of our time. Leading Los Angeles’ Oil and Drilling Ordinance, she navigated fierce debates between key players in the realms of public health and community economic development, including environmental advocates, industry stakeholders, and residents. “Ultimately, we were able to craft an ordinance that prioritizes the health and safety of our community while ensuring a responsible transition away from fossil fuels,” Lilian says. Similarly, her work streamlining housing approvals in the Expedited Processing Section demonstrated how making concerted efforts toward efficiency in the permitting process can lead to tangible results in the housing affordability crisis. By streamlining the development review process, Lilian facilitated the construction of housing, including affordable housing units. 

As a woman of color in urban planning, Lilian Rubio's journey has been marked by both professional triumphs and systemic challenges. She recounts persistent struggles with being heard in meetings, where her ideas were sometimes dismissed until repeated by others, and the isolation of being frequently the only woman of color at decision-making tables. Microaggressions and questioned expertise became familiar hurdles, yet Rubio transformed these experiences into strengths. Her ability to connect with marginalized communities, rooted in shared lived experiences, helped bridge divides between skeptical residents and policymakers. Through transparent engagement and persistent advocacy, she turned community distrust into collaborative action, demonstrating how diverse leadership can drive meaningful policy change while navigating a historically exclusionary field.

Lilian attributes much of her professional growth to the guidance of mentors during her early years at the Los Angeles Department of City Planning. One influential mentor helped her recognize that “effective planning balances technical expertise with community needs…planning is a people-centered practice”. Lilian views mentorship as essential for creating more equitable communities, emphasizing how guidance from experienced professionals can help navigate the challenges of urban planning while maintaining focus on the people it serves. Here’s the advice she offers to the next generation:  

1.       Let your voice be heard - Don’t just speak up, ensure your voice resonates and contributes meaningfully to the conversation.

2.       Build genuine relationships - Finding common ground is crucial.

3.       Approach every challenge with a strategic mindset - Always consider the long-term implications of your decisions.

4.       Planning is fundamentally about people - understanding their needs, aspirations, and sometimes, their fears; be a skilled listener.

Education: University of California, Irvine; Irvine, CA; Planning, Policy, & Design, Bachelor's in Urban Studies

APA Divisions: Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy Division; Sustainable Communities Division; Urban Design and Preservation Division; Health Equity and Planning Interest Group; Women and Planning Division; Latinos and Planning Division

States Worked: California

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