On December 5, USC hosts the Soak It Up conference, exploring "landscape architecture’s leadership role in addressing critical urban flooding and water management." We thought it fitting to revisit our 2024 conversation with alumna Leslie Dinkin, who earned dual degrees in heritage conservation and landscape architecture. Her award-winning master’s thesis, Heritage in Practice: A Study of Two Urban Rivers, explores how and why the Los Angeles and San Antonio Rivers took such different courses in the development of their respective cities.

In addition to comparing their histories, Leslie walked nearly sixty miles along both rivers. She documented the experience through her written reflections and hundreds of photos by Rio (yes, Rio) Asch Phoenix. In the episode, she shares stories, insights, and part of her conversation with Char Miller, Director of Environmental Analysis and W. M. Keck Professor of Environmental Analysis and History at Pomona College.

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Much has changed since we spoke with alumna Dalia Mokayed in 2020 about her thesis, Heritage Conservation to Rebuild Cities After Crisis. Yet wars worldwide continue to decimate countries, communities, and cultures. In her thesis, Dalia examined her hometown of Aleppo, Syria, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Years before the fall of Assad in 2024, Dalia shared her invaluable perspective on the effects of war on heritage and identity, and how heritage conservation can help cities and communities rebuild. Her optimistic take on a devastating situation still offers hope and inspiration.

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"A city is composed of different types of men; similar people cannot bring the city into existence." This quote from Aristotle's Politics opens Gaining a Foothold: Conserving Los Angeles' Queer Eden(dale), the master's thesis of alumnus Rafael Fontes (MHC/MUP '20). With the ongoing erasure of LGBTQ history from federal archives and programs, we're spotlighting our Season One interview with Rafael, whose thesis examined the first efforts to landmark LGBTQ historic sites in the city of Los Angeles.

Rafael talks with producer Willa Seidenberg about why sites of LGBTQ significance are relatively hard to find, research, and designate. He shares three local case studies—the Harry Hay Residence, The Black Cat, and the Tom of Finland House—that reflect various aspects of the city's LGBTQ history, as well as the complexities in its conservation. Both timeless and timely, this episode underscores the vital importance of LGBTQ history in Los Angeles and beyond.

See episode page for photos, links, and transcript

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