City Hires New Planning and Building Director | Joanna Hankamer Welcomed to South Pasadena

Joanna Hankamer is an urban planner with extensive experience in community development, capital project management, design and construction

PHOTO: City of South Pasadena | SouthPasadenan.com News | Joanna Hankamer, an urban planner with extensive experience in community development South Pasadena’s new director of planning and building. Hankamer will oversee the city’s land use and development regulations, land-use permits, and long-range planning

Joanna Hankamer has been named as the City of South Pasadena’s newest director of planning and building.

As an urban planner, Hankamer has extensive experience in community development, capital project management, design and construction. She begins her new assignment October 15.

As director, Hankamer will oversee the city’s land use and development regulations, land-use permits, and long-range planning.

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“I’m very pleased to welcome Joanna Hankamer to our City team,” said City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe. “Her expertise, vision, leadership skills and collaborative approach make her an excellent fit for this important position.”

Hankamer comes to South Pasadena from West Hollywood, where she led the city’s capital and special projects team on a diverse program of innovative projects that make significant contributions to the identity of the city. These projects included Metro’s Crenshaw Northern Extension Light Rail line, a new Aquatic & Recreation Center and renovation of West Hollywood Park, and streetscape improvements with new public gathering spaces in the city’s Design District.

“I am a big believer in the value of collaboration and community partnerships to realize a shared, public vision,” Hankamer said. “I am excited to engage with South Pasadena residents, businesses, staff, and City leadership to strengthen and implement the community’s best vision for itself.”

Prior to West Hollywood, Joanna worked for the City of Santa Monica, where she implemented the city’s design vision for the Expo Line to ensure integration of the light rail line into the existing urban fabric. She managed the creation of iconic public spaces for Downtown Santa Monica, including the Downtown Station, plaza, and complementary Colorado Esplanade Project with enhanced way-finding and streetscape improvements.

Before working in municipal government, Joanna served in the private sector as managing principal for the renowned landscape design firm Nancy Goslee Power & Associates.

She holds a Master of Architecture degree from UCLA, a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from USC, and a degree in Art History from Tufts University.