Programs & Projects

Indigenous Ark Urban Technologies currently focuses on the following programs and projects.

Housing Justice

Advocacy for Affordable & Opportunity Housing

Please visit our Housing Justice webpage by clicking below:

Westside Community Plan Update

IAUT is a member of the Westside Community Planning Advisory Group, community organizations that serve as a sounding board for the City Los Angeles’ updating of the zoning of the Westside of Los Angeles including West L.A., Mar Vista / Palms, Westchester, and Venice. IAUT advocates for the needs of indigenous communities that historically have resided in these areas. IAUT advocates for the inclusion of the most marginalized and “invisible” communities in Los Angeles, including the AI/AN and migrant indigenous communities. IAUT advocates for access to housing, a right to connect with nature, environmental justice, and geospatial equity.

Planetary Dashboard for Climate Impacts on Indigenous Communities and Biodiversity

IAUT is designing a prototype map and notifications app that integrates climate crises locations, the contact information of the indigenous communities affected, a list of the threatened habitats for those at risk of extinction, estimated time to impact, the contact information of NGOs and local non-profits, and current local and regional policy proposals (including treaties) through which concerned global citizens can advocate. Our hope is to provide a global dashboard that will facilitate partnerships for action. We are researching the least costly methods to bring this about. If you have any suggestions or would like to participate in this effort, please let us know at admin@urbanarktech.org.

For additional information and/or to volunteer please see here: Planetary Dashboard Development – Urban Ark Technologies

Defending Earth’s Defenders

Project Working Group – Call to Action

IAUT (Indigenous Ark Urban Technologies) is seeking volunteers to form a Project Work Group to produce a robust tool kit to launch educational campaigns on the persecution of environmentalists. This group will also seek to foster informed discussion to support Indigenous Peoples in making strategic decisions about whether and how to engage with international accountability mechanisms, such as through the OECD outlined below, as part of broader advocacy efforts. Please email admin@urbanarktech.org and/or follow the click on “Volunteer” to express your interest.

For the Environmental Justice Element of the General Plan of the City of Los Angeles (Meeting #2), please see here: Environmental Justice for Los Angeles – Urban Ark Technologies.

Prior Programs

• Indigenous Urban Planning
  • Urban Nature Connection: Advocating for the establishing of urban access to connecting with nature as a human right by providing intercultural and cross-disciplinary forums to facilitate the integration of building, institutional, and community design.
  • Urban Indigenous Cultural Districts: Community Identity-based Visibility for Resilience and Equity
    • Indigenous-Principles-Based Specific Plans: Specific Solutions for Specific Needs
    • Essential-Needs-Based Placemaking
• Local : If you spend time in the Sawtelle, West Los Angeles or Eastern Santa Monica area, below are some ways to get involved.
  • Backyard Crop Exchange
    • The area of Sawtelle, West Los Angeles was originally an agricultural epicenter. World-class landscape architects call Sawtelle home and many of the original orchard trees, still bloom throughout the homes here.
    • Indigenous Ark mobilizes neighbors in exchanging surplus home crops. If you would like to add yourself to our roster, email admin@urbanarktech.org.
    • Currently, the following crops are available: avocados, persimmons, oranges, lemons, aloe, and limes.